Prime minister Imran Khan has reportedly asked his economic team led by Dr Hafeez Sheikh to come up with some out of the box solutions to deal with growing economic challenges. Such solutions, according to him, must characterise government's approach to next fiscal year's budget.

There is no doubt about the gravity of situation that has constituted a formidable challenge for the government to overcome. The federal government's decision to reopen economy, albeit gradually, needs to be fully supported by the provincial governments. The upcoming budget must be aimed, among other things, at creating new job opportunities.