–KP govt to resume public transport from Monday, Punjab govt finalises SOPs for shopping malls, transporters
–Sindh govt says can’t allow public transport due to ‘critical Covid-19 situation’ in province
–Shopping malls in Punjab to open for four days a week, no restriction on production units linked with automobile sector
LAHORE/PESHAWAR/KARACHI: Following Prime Minister Imran Khan’s request to the provinces to reopen public transport, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab governments announced that they were ready to resume the transport services on the condition that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) on prevention from Covid-19 would be followed by all those using transport as well as the operators.
However, Sindh has refused to resume its transport services, citing the rising number of coronavirus patients in the country and a “critical situation” in the province as cases, deaths, and recoveries continued to increase simultaneously.
Earlier, while addressing a press briefing in Islamabad, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “I believe that whatever steps we opt for must take into account helping the most affected — our lower income strata of society.”
“When we shut public transport, we must remember we are making life difficult for the poor. So I request everyone to open public transport.
“The United States has not shut it nor has Europe. Why have we?”
KP AND PUNJAB FINALISE SOPs:
Soon after the PM’s appeal, the KP government said it was ready to allow public transport from Monday, while the Punjab government has decided to reopen shopping malls for four days a week as well as resume public transport after approval of the SOPs by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.
According to the notification issued by the KP Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department, public transport will be allowed to resume from Monday under the following procedure: Divisional commissioners through regional transport authorities, after due consultation with transporters on SOPs, will open intra-district and district to district transport through individual orders on routes deemed appropriate by them; in case of district to district transport involving more than one division, recommendations will be made to the provincial transport authority/department for a decision at that level.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has allowed automobile industries’ production units to operate seven days a week. Grocery shops, bakeries, fruit and vegetable shops, milk and dairy shops, meat shops and auto workshops will be allowed to open for seven days a week from 9am to 5pm. Postal and courier services will be allowed to operate from 9am to 5pm, according to a government notification. Petrol pumps, oil depots, takeaway and delivery services will be allowed to open for 24 hours seven days a week, it added.
In a meeting with transporters on Friday, Law Minister Raja Basharat and Industries Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for resuming public transport services in the province.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the law minister said that the Punjab government cared about the transporters’ concerns as well as protecting the people from the coronavirus. “Therefore, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has decided to allow public transport to resume in the province under certain conditions,” he said.
According to the SOPs decided by the government and transporters, the latter have been told to ensure the following measures: one passenger for every two seats; passengers should have a distance of at least three feet when boarding; air conditioning should be turned off and windows should be kept open; buses will have to be disinfected after each trip; hand sanitiser should be made available at each terminal; passengers will board the bus from the front entrance and exit from the back; while passengers with fever and cough will not be allowed to board the bus.
Basharat said that petrol and diesel prices have been drastically reduced over the past few months. “Therefore, a committee headed by the secretary transport has been set up to review the fares in consultation with the transporters,” he said.
According to Industries Minister Aslam Iqbal, the SOPs have been prepared and will be presented to Chief Minister Usman Buzdar for approval.
He said that shopping malls should ensure usage of thermal gun for checking temperature, hand sanitizers and masks by all customers, staffers and shopkeepers.
SINDH’S REFUSAL:
Responding to the prime minister’s appeal, Sindh Transport Minister Ovais Shah stated that although he respected the premier’s decision, Covid-19 cases in the province were on an upward trend and the provincial government could not afford to let public transport open.
“Factory owners did not implement the SOPs after making a commitment with the government earlier,” Shah said. “Does the prime minister wish for Pakistan to become Wuhan or Italy?”
“We fear that resuming public transport operations will turn Pakistan into Italy. The prime minister has admitted that people are not adhering to the SOPs after the lockdown was eased.
“Let us work together, respected prime minister. The provinces need your help at this time,” said the minister.
