It will also benefit middle class: Hafeez

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh Friday said that Rs1,200 billion relief package announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan to lessen the impact of coronavirus will also benefit the middle class.
There are different parts of the Rs1,200 billion relief package and 70 percent electricity consumers and 80 percent gas consumers have been allowed to pay their electricity and gas bills after three months, he said, in response to a question along with Prime Minister Imran Khan's interaction with mediapersons, wherein incentives package for the construction industry was announced.
Moreover, Shaikh added that Rs70 billion had been picked up by the government by reducing petroleum prices by Rs15 per liter instead of Rs5 per liter and these measures in the package would equally benefit the middle class.
The adviser said that Rs150 billion were being provided to 12 million families and Rs200 billion were being provided to those who had lost their jobs together with the provincial governments and industry.
The adviser added that the government would procure Rs280 billion wheat this year so that the people could have money to spend. Rupees 100 billion has been kept for emergency needs, he said, adding that tax refunds of Rs100 billion had been made to the industry against the usual monthly refunds of Rs10 to Rs15 billion, so that the industry did not lay off worker working in their units.