In a televised address to the nation here Tuesday, he said a crisis has emerged after the spread of the coronavirus in Pakistan. He urged the nation not to panic, adding the virus is dangerous for older people due to their already-weakened immune system.
He paid tribute to the Government of Balochistan and the Pakistan Army for ensuring that pilgrims arriving from Taftan were quarantined. He said that the government was following the coronavirus situation closely.
He said that the US, Italy and England have reacted differently to the virus.
Pakistan cannot afford the same response as European countries, he said. "Our economic situation is very fragile. If we close down the country, what will happen to the poor? People will die of hunger here.”
Prime Minister said this virus will spread as it is spreading at a fast rate in the country’s which have better facilities than us. He said that an economic committee will determine how the government can cope with the coronavirus situation.
PM Imran said that he feared food prices will once again rise as profiteers and hoarders will once again resume illicit activities. Nearly all the “industries across the world are collapsing, Pakistan will also have to face severe problems,” he said.
“First it will affect our exporters as our exports had recently increased, our textile industry is running at full capacity,” he said. “Business will get affected.
The economic committee will monitor which areas are being affected and how the government can help them, they will keep a check on inflation,” he said.
He warned hoarders that the government would take stern action against them and that he would use full force to bring them to justice.