Prime Minister Imran Khan says unlike Western countries, nations in the developing world do not have the fiscal space to revive their economies and look after their vulnerable segments.

Addressing a virtual United Nations event on Financing for Development in the era of Covid-19 and Beyond, he said the money set aside by his government for "ambitious" programmes to fight climate change and revive tourism got diverted to combat the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

He said the government had "doled out" $8 billion to stimulate the economy and provide cash to the most vulnerable sections of society, but he noted that the country's falling exports and remittances are adding to the pressure.