ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday said the government was walking on tightrope in maintaining balance between a lockdown to prevent spread of COVID-19 and ensuring that people do not die of hunger and economy does not collapse.

In a tweet, he said, “In the subcontinent, with a high rate of poverty, we are faced with the stark choice of having to balance between a lockdown necessary to slow down and prevent spread of COVID19, ensuring people don’t die of hunger and our economy doesn’t collapse.”

The prime minister said the government had locked down educational institutions, malls, marriage halls, restaurants and other places where public congregates. But, to stop the devastation of the lockdown it had kept the agriculture sector open and it was now opening up construction sector, he said.

We have locked down educational institutions, Malls, marriage halls, restaurants & other places where public congregates. But, to stop the devastation of the lockdown we have kept our agri sector open & now we are opening up our construction sector.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 4, 2020

Also Read: Source of income of construction sector investors will not be inquired: Imran Khan

Imran Khan on Friday said source of income of the people investing in construction sector would not be inquired the following year.

Announcing a massive package for the construction industry to maintain the economic activity affected due to coronavirus, PM Imran said, “30 billion rupees subsidy is being provided for Naya Pakistan Housing scheme.”

He said construction sector would start operation from April 14. Capital gain tax would not be imposed on selling a house, he said. He also announced that the government was giving construction sector status of an industry.

Imran Khan said 90 percent of taxes would be waived off from construction sector.