LETTER: "Due to long lockdown, the closure of the businesses and maintenance of social distancing, economic activities have diminished, which has brought negative impact on growth rate and investment," federal minister of industries and production who presented the country's budget for fiscal year 2020-21 on Friday has been quoted as saying by media. It is, therefore, according to him, difficult to predict the economic impact of the pandemic.

Budget-making, estimates and targets all appear to be an exercise in futility because of spectre of Covid-19. Yesterday, the number of coronavirus positive cases soared to 134,667 with Punjab becoming the first province to cross 50,000-case mark. Now former Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani are among those who have tested positive. The situation is strongly characterised by an environment of despondency and confusion.

HARIS KHAN (ISLAMABAD)