Finance Minister Hafeez Sheikh talking to the media person in Islamabad on February 21, 2021. SCREENSHOTFederal Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh said on Sunday that Prime Minister Imran Khan's top priority is to prevent a spike in the price of essential commodities. "When [Prime Minister] Imran Khan came to power, financial deficit stood at $20 billion," Hafeez said adding that "external deficit has now turned into a surplus". Also read: Economic indicators improving despite challenges: PM ImranRegarding the Senate elections, he said that the "polls are between the political parties... and it should not be given any other context". On Thursday, PM Imran said the country's economic indicators had been on a positive trajectory despite challenges faced by the country, including the coronavirus pandemic.

Source: The Express Tribune February 21, 2021 14:03 UTC