Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Tuesday directed the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) to ask the provincial chief secretaries to present implementation plan for the decisions made by the Chief Ministers at National Coordination Committee (NCC).
The NCOC meeting chaired by Asad Umar reviewed the way forward for NCC decisions, opening of tourism and standard operating procedures (SOPs). He said that the provincial chief secretaries would also be directed to present the implementation mechanism at the NCOC. While highlighting the risk of contagion he warned that bazaars, public transport and industrial units were high risk areas and SOPs should be focused on these three areas.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza informed the forum that 26 SOPs, guidelines and protocols were developed by the Health Ministry in consultation with experts committee and Provincial input. Another guideline to protect the elderly population and the most vulnerable people from the risk of COVID-19 would be launched, he added.
Federal Minister for Interior Brig (R) Ejaz Ahmed Shah said that the punishment should be clear on violation of SOPs to ensure strict compliance. The media should be actively engaged to educate and mobilise masses on the risk of pandemic and compliance of SOPs.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) National Information Technology Board Shabahat Ali Shah told the forum that the board had completed population density identification of six major cities including provincial capitals which would help identify positive, suspected and normal population in the data mapping.
Meanwhile,, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that government was ensuring all possible measures to effectively control the spread of coronavirus pandemic besides enhancing the healthcare capacity across the country.
The foreign minister was talking to Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar who called on him here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a press release said.
During the meeting, they discussed the coronavirus situation and the steps taken to control its spread, besides other issues of mutual interest. The foreign minister said the COVID-19 had affected the whole world and Pakistan, being a developing country, was facing critical challenges due to this pandemic.
He stressed that the people in country should ensure complete implementation of all precautionary measures as the infection was touching the peak of curve.
Minister for Planning Asad Umar appreciated the steps taken for facilitating the stranded expatriates and the measures for bringing them back at the earliest.
