PM Imran calls for bigger Covid-19 bailout package by rich economies
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday called for a bigger financial bailout package by rich economies for developing countries to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a telephonic conversation with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Mr Khan said: “Global recession is imminent, … developing countries would need a combination of additional measures to meet urgent financial requirements, sustain growth, strengthen fragile health systems as well as to save lives and provide social protection to those below the poverty line.”
The prime minister’s telephone call was part of his diplomatic outreach for convening a group of interested countries at the United Nations to commence consultations for proposing a comprehensive solution to the debt challenges of developing countries against the backdrop of Covid-19.
Discusses situation with Ethiopian counterpart
“The two leaders agreed on the importance of working together, along with the UN Secretary General and other stakeholders, to evolve a comprehensive plan on debt relief issues,” PM Office said in a statement.
The two prime ministers also discussed bilateral relations. Mr Khan called for further deepening of cooperation including enhanced political and diplomatic linkages and increased mutual trade.
“In the context of Pakistan’s ‘Engage Africa’ policy, the prime minister emphasised the importance of closer bilateral ties with Ethiopia,” the statement said.
Prime Minister Khan reiterated his felicitations to Prime Minister Abiy on winning the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize and invited him to visit Pakistan.
Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2020
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Comments (77) Closed
May 05, 2020 10:11am
Sorry, I don’t think Ethiopia will be able to financially help Pakistan. Or maybe they can. I know news is different but I am talking about the indirect intent of PM IK.
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May 05, 2020 10:13am
Ethiopia
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May 05, 2020 10:15am
Imran should ask more and more. He demanding money is legitimate as they are rich nations.
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May 05, 2020 10:21am
All nuclear power countries should help poor countries.
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May 05, 2020 10:25am
Yet again at his best. Asking for doles. Seems has no confidence on financial strength / economy of Pakistan. Want to survive only on bailouts.
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May 05, 2020 10:27am
What about controlling own expenditures? Why we need 50 ministers in Federal cabinet? Why not expedite the investigation against PMLN corruption to take back billions of rupees, take back money from sugar and flour mafia, swift action against those who are now creating HSD crisis, recover money from IPPs? After all this we shall not need any aid or loans
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May 05, 2020 10:29am
Yes. Ask for bigger packages. Now bigger packages will only make poor countries survive.
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May 05, 2020 10:30am
This is perfect, the great PMIK is interacting with world leaders who are his equals. Ethiopia and Pakistan are brothers, stronger than platinum, sweeter than jaggery,
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May 05, 2020 10:33am
Is ethiopia a rich country?
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May 05, 2020 10:36am
" Discussing package with his Ethiopian counterpart " says it all .
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May 05, 2020 10:37am
After talking to leaders of rich countries and rich people in the world for money, IK now started talking to African Countries.
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May 05, 2020 10:40am
I am surprised that China is not forward with a relief package. If Pakistan fails then it's China who loses the entire CPEC money?
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May 05, 2020 10:47am
Sorry no more free lunch.
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May 05, 2020 10:48am
Why doesn't he asks China is one of rich economic country?
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May 05, 2020 10:57am
Another program launch.
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May 05, 2020 11:08am
Why don’t stop corruption and injustices here to allow country to develop and stop you from taking loans in name of public and transferring it to mafia accounts.
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May 05, 2020 11:11am
Wonder why no other leader was available for this 'important discussion'
Next time try Congo or Somalia. They too qualify for the 'club'
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May 05, 2020 11:53am
He is just doing what he is good at.
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May 05, 2020 12:00pm
Where did the money so far received go. We don't see any improvements
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May 05, 2020 12:02pm
Etheopians are a great race. One of the oldest civilizations. Unfortunately common man there is suffering because of greedy politicians in past. IK is good to keep communication with such countries and steadiness will bring forth positive results.
IK has a great international diplomatic good will recently.
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May 05, 2020 12:15pm
Now its parity between Ethiopia and Pakistan. Well done PM IK
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May 05, 2020 12:19pm
Here we go, business as usual during pandemic.
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May 05, 2020 12:20pm
World bank, IMF or other financial institutions should shift their office to Pakistan & give some relief to daily customer.
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May 05, 2020 12:23pm
Iron brother is sitting on a mountain of cash. Surely they can spare cash to stimulate global economy.
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May 05, 2020 12:59pm
@Dlip, Did you even care to read the entire article? Please refer to the call Mr. Khan made with the Ethiopian president too, that's positive diplomacy.
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May 05, 2020 01:00pm
@Simran, Please read the article thoroughly before just commenting after just clicking and only reading the title...
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May 05, 2020 01:02pm
Every economy in the world is staring at recession, don't know who can help Pakistan now. Time to stand on our own feet for a change.
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May 05, 2020 01:12pm
Our PM has taken a proactive approach to bring a solution to the problem at hand. His call to Ethiopian PM is in this context. Next in line is Ungada. He must keep up the pressure on rich countries to remind them about their responsibility towards poor nations.
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May 05, 2020 01:18pm
Here we go once again and again! Zero policy towards post-pendamic situation.
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May 05, 2020 01:21pm
Iron brother should help. China gave us loans which we spent on Chinese labourers and companies. Now it should do duty of iron brother.
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May 05, 2020 01:23pm
Rich countries are responsible for Population growth in poor Ummah countries and they have to pay for same
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May 05, 2020 01:33pm
Ethiopia wants to join CPEC
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May 05, 2020 01:42pm
Over population is root cause rightly said by pervez hoodboy...Wait for more poverty and hunger with AI and machines..
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May 05, 2020 01:46pm
Rich countries are busy giving unemployment allowances to own citizens, in no mood to help poor countries. But no harm in asking for free money.
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May 05, 2020 01:49pm
nice initiative by the PM pulling all the needy countries together.
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May 05, 2020 01:59pm
Growth in economy ? improvement in GDP are the items now need not to consider.
Kindly consider how to feed the people and how to keep your people engaged in busy and to live. The imports has to be decrease drastically and the local industries to be given all facilities to boost. We can not compete the world in manufacturing due to our corrupt system. The imports of essential items need 17 different departments to be dealt with and each want his commission. The imported product's cost shoots to 25+ only due to corruption. Similarly about the same number of departments are dealt by the exporters and the product cost again increased due to commission. So we can not compete any South Asian country due to increase cost of the products only and mainly due to corruption. The manufacurers has to deal from WAPDA, labour, old age, Sui gas, to Excise and even upto the loading bay at the vessel. So corruption can not be eradicated and we can not export much due to high costs.
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May 05, 2020 02:09pm
Ethiopian economy larger than Pakistan’s?
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May 05, 2020 02:11pm
Asking for package from Ethiopia is the last thing pakistani wanted from IK.
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May 05, 2020 02:57pm
He is 100 percent right.
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May 05, 2020 03:16pm
Is he asking for money? No. he is talking about rights. Why Indians so bother, mind your own business. Focus on Modi lies, he is good in making Indians fools...
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May 05, 2020 03:25pm
@Bipul , Mate, you've totally missed it. He is discussing with Eithopia to join the voice to ask richer countries for Bailout.
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May 05, 2020 03:27pm
@Bipul , He is planning to bring together countries that sail in the same boat and then try for some collective bargaining. But as usual he is beating around the bush instead of directly approaching iron brother.
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May 05, 2020 03:40pm
External debt of Pakistan July 2018 was US$95.237 billion. One year later July 2019 it ballooned to US$106.979 billion. Looks like their game changer is not working.
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May 05, 2020 03:42pm
The bailout country of the world
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May 05, 2020 04:09pm
what is he doing talking to Ethiopia when he should really be talking to China...
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May 05, 2020 04:12pm
Who will bail out rich countries that are suffering due to Covid? And also Pakistan is rich country right?
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May 05, 2020 04:31pm
Hope Khan saheb will call each and every country in the planet except India and Israel for donations/aids/non repayable loans..
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May 05, 2020 05:09pm
At this difficult times, IK must ask for aids and not loans. Loans cannot be paid back even after pandemic issue is over as the effect of pandemic willl still be there.
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May 05, 2020 05:11pm
@Karachi King, has china told you already to take a flying leap?
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May 05, 2020 05:25pm
Good initiative. Leading and creating a larger group of nations for getting a better deal.
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May 05, 2020 05:30pm
I hope the iron brother China gives billions in dollars....
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May 05, 2020 05:37pm
@Justice, He is not asking money from Ethiopia. He is discussing. Look up the difference in dictionary.
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May 05, 2020 06:03pm
PM IK has his eyes on everones money.
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May 05, 2020 06:13pm
@Akram, sure
billions are coming from China
what else
who else should fund your corruption?
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May 05, 2020 07:02pm
Never misses any opportunity,does he? Amazing man!
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May 05, 2020 07:54pm
Pakistan is poor unlike developing India
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May 05, 2020 08:04pm
USA the largest economy on the planet has only 14 ministers (Secretary of State). Pakistan on the other has has 49 to 98 ministers and minister of States. How can this be justified by IK while he was advocating for devolution of power and smaller government.
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May 05, 2020 08:57pm
Ethiopia seems to have got some hidden treasure, which is known to very few people.
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May 05, 2020 08:58pm
@Abu Tahir Al Jalebi , Party you said?
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May 05, 2020 08:59pm
@psnehi, Asking Ethiopia for donation.
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May 05, 2020 09:36pm
Finally talking with equals
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May 05, 2020 09:48pm
@peeti, there is a difference between discussing 'package' and discussing 'situation' with his Ethiopian counterpart. Ethiopia is in the same boat as Pakistan in financial terms, therefore getting support to pressure the rich countries is a good start.
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May 05, 2020 09:57pm
IK should first free MKR.....
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May 05, 2020 10:21pm
all weather friend, china is there, not to worry sir.
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May 05, 2020 10:25pm
@Karachi King,
Rights ? To what
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May 05, 2020 11:36pm
@Boom, Swiss accounts !!!!
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May 06, 2020 01:28am
@Vinita, chines are business orientated, don’t believe in charity.
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May 06, 2020 02:13am
@Chríss Dănn, IK is the best bet for Pakistan and also for India to get rest of AJK
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May 06, 2020 02:13am
@Abdullah Ali, very nice
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May 06, 2020 02:34am
intention of PM is to engage leadership of poor economies so that aggregate appeal could be launch to rich countries leaderships and world lenders institutes.
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May 06, 2020 05:48am
World's 2 top country's leaders discuss and direct others to do more to help them.
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May 06, 2020 05:50am
Birds of the feather flock together.
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May 06, 2020 06:04am
Before we ask others to help us, should we not try to help ourselves by cutting unnecessary expenses and living within our means? According to SIPRI we spend 4% of our GDP on defense (rear figure is probably around 6%, but I digress). Suppose we cut it by 1% to 3%, will not the amount saved be sufficient to fight COVID19? Also, why not ask China to cut the interest rate (which is at an usurious rate 9.65%) on the so called 'investments' by half to 5%? It will save us billions and obviating the need to beg others for relief.
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May 06, 2020 06:34am
In Pakistan people are ill informed about Africa.Abiyi Ahmed is very important and influential leader of Africa.African Union head office is in Addis Ababa.Ethiopian Airlines is the world class largest airline with 200 latest aircrafts,around the world network.Fastest growing economy in Africa.Highest investment of China is in Ethopia in whole Africa.Africa has 57-countries with mineral resources.Africa is a gold mine,for those who know it.
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May 06, 2020 06:44am
Kudos to this 'leader' !
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May 06, 2020 06:47am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, Always 100% right. Sir if you have some concrete solution/suggestion please forward it otherwise just saying 100% right or wrong wont help.
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May 06, 2020 07:11am
We take pride in calling China a friend taller than Himaliya and deeper than ocean but when it comes to asking for help we don't ask them for help but rather we ask USA and other countries for loans/aids/handouts.
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