–Imran vows stern action against profiteers and hoarders, directs officials to ensure availability of essential commodities
–Balochistan CM says severe shortage of coronavirus testing kits, ventilators in province
–Govt sets up two bodies to regulate, monitor national response against coronavirus
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday underlined the government’s priority to save the economy from the negative impacts of the coronavirus and ensure an uninterrupted flow of economic activities in the country.
While chairing a meeting of the National Coordination Committee to discuss measures to contain the disease, the prime minister said that protecting the employment of the general public is also a top priority of the government. He directed the concerned authorities to devise a comprehensive strategy to provide relief to the common man in view of any possible situation and ensure the availability of the essential commodities.
The premier stressed that the complaints of hoarding and illegal profiteering will not be tolerated at any cost. He said that stern action will be taken in this regard.
He said that the Centre and provinces are dealing with the situation with full coordination. He added the government is fully aware of the dangers but such decisions should be avoided that could create an environment of fear.
He asked people of every field to exhibit responsible behaviour and directed Dr Zafar Mirza to hold a daily public briefing at 5:00 pm.
“Maximum steps will be taken on the government level to stop coronavirus and there is a need to give awareness to the nationals over the seriousness of this matter. I appeal nationals to adopt self prevention measures which will also assist the authorities to contain the spread of the virus,” he said.
“The Pakistani nation has always fought graciously and persistently all crisis and a joint effort on the national level will also come forth this time against coronavirus. We do not have to be afraid of the disease but to fight this issue,” he added.
Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri, Interior Minister Ijaz Shah, Adviser on Finance Hafeez Sheikh, Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant for Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari and others were present on the occasion. All the chief ministers were present through video link.
A briefing was also given by Dr Zafar Mirza, whereas, the participants of the meeting held consultations for further steps to fight COVID-19 pandemic.
The committee was also given a briefing regarding the meeting with prominent clerics for preventive measures during processions of Friday prayers.
Balochistan Chief Minister Jamal Kamal Khan said that there was a “severe shortage” of coronavirus testing kits and ventilators in the province.
He briefed participants of the meeting about the facilities being provided to pilgrims in Taftan and Quetta.
On the recommendation of the chief minister, it was decided to send pilgrims in Taftan to their respective provinces. A consensus was reached during the meeting that the pilgrims will be quarantined by provincial governments and tested for the virus.
The chief minister said that food, water, health and shelter facilities were available for pilgrims at Taftan. He said that traders and pilgrims made up the estimated 3,000 people who were quarantined in Taftan.
GOVT SETS UP TWO NEW BODIES TO FIGHT CORONAVIRUS:
The government has also decided to set up two new bodies in order to oversee the roadmap to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
The first committee would include ministers of foreign affairs, interior, information, finance and religious affairs besides all the four chief ministers, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) prime minister, NDMA chairman, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Moeed Yousaf, Sergeant General of Pakistan Army, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) DG, Director General Military Operations (DGMO), Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG and federal health Secretary.
An official told Pakistan Today that in order to regulate the flow of information and make unified national narrative and counter fake news, a COVID-19 National Command & Control Centre (CCC) has also been established.
The official said that the COVID-19 Command & Control Centre will be operational 24/7. This Central Crisis Communication Centre will have representatives from the Health Ministry, Digital Pakistan team, representatives of ISPR, Information Ministry, NDMA, and relevant federal officials for coordination.
This CCC will be linked to Provincial Command & Centre through video, telephone and internet. The CCC will have daily communication strategy which will be shared with all concerned departments.
All media releases and updates will be managed through this CCC. Provincial Command & Control Centres will be linked to the CCC. To avoid panic and give accurate information, all information/communication flow will be from CCC.
The details of cases/patients would only be shared with media after clearance by the CCC. Information/communication would be shared on a need to know basis. CCC will keep informed all concerned on a daily basis regarding COVID-19 updates and information sharing.
The official also said that despite best facilities, the pandemic has hit around 147 countries across the world and the government needs to engage all opinion-makers/public figures/community leaders, including teachers, religious/community heads, prayer leaders to play their part at the union council level.
It is worth mentioning here that the urgent meeting was called over the increasing numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan that jumped to 136 on Monday after more people were diagnosed with the disease across the country.
