The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has increased the printing of its currency notes to replace the coroanvirus-contaminated notes. Experts have said that following the decision, it’s likely that inflation would go up, causing prices of essential items to increase. Economist Baqir Jaffari clarified that prices of in the economy increase when the bank increases its liabilities and the money supply in the economy without any reason.
The price of petrol has been slashed by Rs15 as a breather for the public under a complete lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan. After the cost reduction, petrol will be available for Rs96.58 per litre while high diesel will cost Rs107.25 and light diesel be sold for Rs62.51 per litre. Meanwhile, kerosene oil will cost Rs77.45.
A dedicated television channel will be launched to resume education for children while schools remain closed, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said in a tweet Tuesday. Mahmood said although the move will require a lot of work, it is expected to start early next month. To prevent any compromises made on education, the education ministry and the Higher Education Commission have been working on ways to resume courses for students.
Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on Tuesday a special economic package to help the people amid the coronavirus lockdown in the country. Rs200 billion will be allocated for labourers and Rs150 billion for poor families and Rs3000 per month will be given to them. The premier also announced Rs100 billion tax refunds for businesses and industries.
Prime Minister Imran Khan gave approval to Pakistan Railways for suspending train operations until March 31 due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. The disease caused by the virus, COVID-19, has claimed six lives and infected more than 800 people across the country, as the authorities kick into action to stop the transmission of the virus. The government earlier retracted a notification issued on the shut down of the operations.
Police have taken into custody 90 people for violating the lockdown in Karachi on Monday as the cases were registered against 24 people for coming out of their homes for no valid reasons. The Sindh government has imposed a lockdown across the province in an attempt to stem the spread of coronavirus. All public places, offices, public transport and bus stands would remain closed for 15 days.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has ruled out the possibility of a countrywide lockdown amid coronavirus’s spread in Pakistan. He justified his statement saying that the country lacks the resources to feed daily wage workers for two weeks and said he would have gone for a lockdown if the country’s situation was like other countries.
To contain the spread of the coronavirus, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has asked banks to waive charges on any online fund transfers. SBP has instructed banks to waive all charges on fund transfers through online banking channels such as inter-bank fund transfer. They will also not incur any cost in case of using ATMs or visiting bank branches to transfer large amounts and can avoid the use of cash.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has announced that the province will go into a two-week lock down at midnight tonight (March 22). The province has the highest number of cases in the country and the minister had already hinted. Citizens will not be allowed to leave the house unless it is essential and the ban also extends to places of worship.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has cancelled all its international flights till March 28. This move comes into effect tonight at 8pm. This does not mean that Pakistani airspace has been closed and the move is to curb the spread of the noverl coronavirus, clarified PIA spokesperson Abdullah Khan. He added that all flights are being cancelled and tickets will be refunded.