ISLAMABAD – Govt To Redirect $40 Million To Fight Coronavirus. The federal government, on Friday, has decided to redirect $40 million non-utilised funds to fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
According to details, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Hammad Azhar announced this in the national assembly. Federal and provincial governments will use these funds to purchase equipment and take measures against COVID-19. Hammad informed that Punjab will receive $7.5mn and Sindh $10mn. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa $7mn, Balochistan $2mn, while $13.5mn to the federal government.
Earlier, the minister informed that the government is finalizing an approximately $600 million emergency package with multilateral for dealing with the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak across the country. The minister tweeted, “Economic Affairs Division (EAD) is finalizing an approx $600 million emergency package with multilateral for dealing with Covid-19 outbreak across the country. It includes reallocations and fresh financing. This will be in addition to local funding, he added.
Azhar said that NDMA will also be able to use emergency funds given by Asian Development Bank. This is in addition to funds already made available by the Finance Division for immediate use by the authority. Reallocations from foreign-funded projects are also being diverted towards it. Govt To Redirect $40 Million To Fight Coronavirus.
In Pakistan, the number of coronavirus cases has exploded to over 450, with Sindh province the worst hit.