Govt to take every measure to provide relief to masses in this hour of trial: PM.

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said since the country was facing unprecedented situation, the government would take every measure to provide relief to masses and all sectors of economy in this hour of trial.

He was presiding over a high level meeting held here to review the steps being taken, in the wake of Coronavirus challenge, in different sectors including trade and industry, construction, energy, particularly the relief measures for poverty-stricken segment of society.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar, Minister for Energy Omar Ayub, Minister for National Food Security Makhdoom Khusru Bakhtiar, Advisor on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant on Social Protection Dr Sania Nishtar and Special Assistant on Energy Nadeem Babar.

Governor State Bank Reza Baqir and other concerned secretaries also attended the meeting through video link.

The prime minister said with the country also facing the challenge of poverty alongside Coronavirus, the government institutions were required to play a more proactive role in this challenging situation.

He said the government would utilize all resources to provide relief to the poor and weaker segments of society, adding, in that respect Overseas Pakistanis and philanthropists within the country were a ray of hope for them.

The prime minister said the Overseas Pakistanis as well as the patriotic people from home always proved in the testing times that they as a nation had the capability to face any difficult situation.

He directed the Minister for National Food Security to give special attention to the availability of essential commodities across the country and ensure that there was no shortage of basic food items including flour, pulses, rice, ghee, sugar etc. in any part of the country.

The prime minister in this respect also directed to form a special committee comprising officials from relevant federal and provincial departs, which review the food situation on daily basis and present recommendations.

Special Assistant on Social Protection Dr Sania Nishtar briefed the prime minister in detail over the steps taken to provide relief to the vulnerable segment of society in view of the recent situation. The prime minister would soon make an announcement in this regard.

The meeting also took stock...