ISLAMABAD: The government is planning to reopen the country’s industries, businesses and official activities in different phases under strict monitoring by the law enforcement agencies.
This suggestion was given special consideration during a session of the National Command & Operation Centre (NCOC) on Sunday with Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asar Umar in the chair.
The possibility of easing restrictions on industries in phases was the central theme for the meeting, however, the plan would be presented before the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on Monday for final decision.
The session focused mainly on the recommendations for NCC meeting to be chaired by the prime minister on April 13 to take policy decisions for containment measures. The meeting also reviewed the measures taken so far with detailed analysis of progress in various fields and a number of options came under consideration, followed by an in-depth analysis of pros and cons of each option.
The forum dilated upon the progress of 47 days since the confirmation of the first coronavirus case in the country. Health projections till April 30 and medical supply line management with focus on procurement and distribution plan of critical requirements were also discussed.
The planning minister emphasised the need for effect-based measures to overcome this pandemic. He said that local transmission is increasing particularly in populated areas which need immediate measures for containment. “To ensure optimal utilisation of our present testing capacity, labs load management and point of care facility should be put in place,” he said.
The meeting noted that the containment measures, social distancing awareness and timely intervention suggested that Pakistan’s strategy is on right track learning from best practices as well as grey areas across the world.
The meeting appreciated all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) for enforcement and containment measures in letter and spirit. The industries minister gave a detailed plan of action on domestic transport, both land and rail, and industries.
Minister for Interior Brigadier (r) Ijaz Shah, Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar, Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan, Minister for Economic Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister for National Food Security Fakhar Imam, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Security Moeed Yousaf, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Digital Pakistan Tania Aidrus, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Dr Faisal Sultan attended the meeting.
