IMF acknowledges Pakistan’s response to pandemic

Published April 14, 2020
The IMF also acknowledged the Rs1.2 trillion relief package announced by the government to mitigate the economic losses due to the virus. — AP/File
The IMF also acknowledged the Rs1.2 trillion relief package announced by the government to mitigate the economic losses due to the virus. — AP/File

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday noted the rapid pace at which Covid-19 has been spreading in Pakistan and acknowledged the Rs1.2 trillion relief package announced by the government.

“Covid-19 has been spreading rapidly in the past month in Pakistan, with 4,489 confirmed cases claiming 63 deaths, as of April 9”, the IMF said in its new publication Policy Tracker of its 193 member states.

The fund said both the federal and provincial governments, in response, have implemented a range of measures to delay and contain the spread of the virus. These included quarantining more than three thousand travelers from Iran, closing borders with neighboring countries, international travel restrictions, school closures, social distancing measures, and lockdowns in cities and provinces across the country.

Pakistan army troops were deployed starting March 23, to help provincial governments in their measures to contain the spread of virus.

On the fiscal side, authorities announced a relief package worth Rs1.2tr on Mar 24. This, the IMF said, included an elimination of the import duties on imports of emergency health equipment, relief to daily-wage workers worth Rs200 billion, followed by Rs150bn of cash transfers to low-income families, Rs100bn accelerated tax refunds to the export industry and Rs100bn financial support to small and medium enterprises.

The economic package also earmarked resources for an accelerated procurement of wheat at Rs280bn, Rs50bn financial support to utility stores, Rs70bn relief in fuel prices, Rs15bn support for health and food supplies and Rs110bn electricity bill payments relief. This also included Rs100bn for an emergency relief fund and Rs25bn transfer to the NDMA for the purchase of necessary equipment.

On the monetary and macro-financial side, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has responded to the crisis by cutting the policy rate twice by a cumulative 225 basis points to 11pc in less than two weeks in March.

On March 17, the SBP announced two refinancing schemes. First, TERF worth Rs100bn to stimulate investment in new manufacturing plants and machinery at 7pc and the second, RFCC worth Rs5bn to support hospitals.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2020

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

A bloody year
Updated 07 Oct, 2024

A bloody year

Using the Oct 7 attacks as an excuse to wage endless aggression on Middle East, Israel has crossed all red lines.
Bleak cotton outlook
07 Oct, 2024

Bleak cotton outlook

THE extremely slow arrival of phutti at the ginning factories of Punjab and Sindh so far indicate a huge drop in the...
Killjoy neighbours
07 Oct, 2024

Killjoy neighbours

AT the worst of times in their bilateral relations, India and Pakistan have not shied away from carrying out direct...
Peak of success
06 Oct, 2024

Peak of success

IT started with the ascent of Nanga Parbat in 2017 and ended with the summit of Tibet’s Shishapangma on Thursday....
Indian visitor
06 Oct, 2024

Indian visitor

AMONGST the host of foreign dignitaries expected to fly into Islamabad for the SCO Council of Heads of Government...
Violence once again
Updated 06 Oct, 2024

Violence once again

The warring sides must rein in their worst impulses and prioritise the nation’s well-being over short-term gains.