The parliamentary committee on coronavirus pandemic is going to be held today (Monday) with Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser in the chair to discuss impact of lockdown on the overall economy of the country.

Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar will brief the committee on the impact of lockdown due to COVID-19 and immediate steps required to protect the economy with particular reference to the industrial sector.

Advisor to the prime minister on commerce will brief the committee on the effect of lockdown with reference to trade and commercial activities in the country.

The committee had also invited representatives of the business community to hear their perspective on the issue besides getting their input for making appropriate recommendations to government for revival of economy affected by the COVID-19.

President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Mian Anjum Nisar and Ajmal Baloch, President All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran will brief the committee regarding the concerns and demands of industrialists, exporters and importers and traders.

The parliamentary panel had also specially invited Ishfaq Yousaf Tola, chairman Economic Advisory Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, MNAs Ali Pervez Malik, Raja Khurrum Shahzad and Senator Saleem Mandviwala, deputy chairman Senate for their input on impact of lockdown due to COVID-19 and immediate steps required to protect the economy.

Soon after the surfacing of coronavirus in the country, a 25-member parliamentary committee was constituted having equal representation from National Assembly and Senate with NA Speaker as chairman for parliamentary oversight on the measures by the government to curtail the spread of coronavirus, relief operations and its impact on the economy of the country.