–3,464 cases registered over violation of Section 144
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Friday presided over meeting of cabinet committee for the eradication of coronavirus through video-link here at his office and reviewed the arrangements made for the treatment of patients besides taking up pace of food supply chain in the province.
The meeting decided to close down ‘karyana’, grocery and general stores at 8:00 pm. The chief minister said that these shops would remain open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily and implementation on this decision would start from March 28. No one would be allowed to violate this decision, he added.
He said that decision had also been made on the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan to allow movement of goods transport while the ban on public transport would remain in vogue. He directed to further strict the hot-spots’ checking system throughout the province, adding that implementation on SOPs be ensured after the identification of sensitive areas. Movement should be kept limited in corona case affected areas, he further said.
He directed to ensure availability of essential items, adding that arrangements relating to managing food supplies for the poor be given final shape at the earliest. He reiterated that economic package was being devised and a committee led by finance minister would give briefing on it on March 28. He said that the availability of coronavirus diagnosing kits must be ensured along with the provision of personal protection equipment for doctors and paramedics. He directed to maintain cleanliness at the DG Khan quarantine centres.
The Punjab government appreciated the services being rendered by doctors, paramedics, Pakistan Army, Rangers, police and members of the provincial administration.
Provincial ministers Raja Basharat, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Dr Yasmin Rahid, Hashim Jawan Bakht, chief secretary, inspector general of police (IGP) and Lahore commissioner attended the meeting at CM Office while Mussarat Jamshed Cheema and high officials participated through video-link from Civil Secretariat. Similarly, secretaries of P&D, labour, food and agriculture departments attended the meeting through video-link from P&D Department. Commissioners of DG Khan, Multan and Faisalabad divisions also attended the meeting through the video-link.
3,464 CASES REGISTERED OVER VIOLATION OF SECTION 144:
Meanwhile, the Punjab Police registered 3,464 cases, arrested 6,427 violators of Section 144, detained 1,798 persons and released 173 after issuance of a warning since March 26.
As per the orders of Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shoaib Dastgir, police teams were strictly implementing the instructions, issued by the Punjab government regarding implementation of Section 144 and lockdwon of the province.
Also, during action against hoarding, police teams registered 99 cases and 96 accused were arrested.
The IGP urged regional and district police chiefs to speed up action against violators of the law and submit their progress reports to the Central Police Office on daily basis.
