PESHAWAR: People from all walks of life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) welcomed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision of easing lockdown restrictions in phases from Saturday, terming it as a landmark decision that would help in addressing the financial problems of the poor segments of the society.
Provincial Minister for Environment and Forests Syed Ishtiaq Urmar welcomed the decision the premier took after chairing a high-level meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NOC) in Islamabad, and maintained that lifting the lockdown in phases would help the downtrodden, daily wagers, labourers and poor segments of the society.
He said that allowing small markets and shops to open from dawn to 5 pm would help hundreds of thousands of shopkeepers and retailers in supporting their families.
Economic and business expert Sumbul Riaz also appreciated the decision regarding opening of businesses and termed it as a big step forward towards creation of employment opportunities for thousands of labourers in the construction industry.
She said that coronavirus lockdown had badly affected the country’s exports and economy and the decision of easing lockdown would help wipe out poverty and create jobs for youth.
Senior academics, Professor Muhammad Naeem and Pir Muhammad Khan, also hailed the decision regarding cancellation of boards examinations and closing of all educational institutions till July 15.
They said that decision of awarding promotion to students to next grade and subsequently admission in universities and professional colleges on the basis of the boards results of the previous year was the right step in the prevailing difficult situation.
They said that it would save the academic year of students besides help continue their studies without any delay.
Misal Khan, retired information officer, highly appreciated the decision of easing the lockdown, saying that no government in civilised and democratic countries could force people to stay at homes through use of force to contain COVID-19.
He said that the incumbent government took all decisions on the basis of ground realty and the decisions of phase wise lifting of lockdown, closing of educational institutions till July 15 and promotion of students to the next grade on basis of result of previous year board examination was accurate decisions in the prevailing coronavirus crisis.
He said that media’s role was very important during the crisis to inform masses about government’s measures. He added that adopting standard operating procedures (SOPs) at workplace was imperative to combating COVID-19.
