Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday announced that lockdown on public gatherings to remain for another couple of weeks.
The decision is taken in a meeting with the National Coordination Committee (NCC).
The ongoing countrywide lockdown on public gatherings to fight against the novel coronavirus, schools and public places will remain locked for the next couple of weeks.
He expresses gratitude to the public for restricting themselves to their homes during the lockdown.
“I am glad to share that the coronavirus spread only to an extent of 30 % of what the government had expected because of the way the people observed the lockdown in difficult times,” he said.
While thanking the nation for taking precautions, PM warned everyone that infections from the virus could spike at any time.
So we need to take care perhaps even more now the only way to get rid of the spread is to continue to exercise caution and avoid public gatherings in lockdown.
We have less than half the number of deaths from the expected number and according to the expected number 190 people should have died with COVID-19 so far.
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Prime Minister Khan also said that the construction industry will be opened by tomorrow.
“We got to this decision with the consent of all the provincial chief secretaries and chief ministers,” he said, adding: “There is about an 89% agreement on which industries to reopen and which not to.”
The provinces were given power after 18 Amendment to make their own decisions in such matters.
They have the right to further delay the opening of industries if they are not ready. The Centre would not impose its decision on them, he said
Why the Construction Industry
As the construction industry will be opened by tomorrow the government will bring decree for the construction industry.
Under which the industry will be given incentives to start construction in the country.
PM said, among industries with the lowermost risk, the construction industry ranks the highest and after agriculture.
The construction industry provides the supreme number of jobs for daily wages.
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Minister for industries Azhar said the federal government suggested that the construction division be reopened in phases.
The government had identified industries where there is a very low chance of virus spread and they will be allowed to operate with standard operating procedures.
However, the federal and provincial governments agreed that these industries be opened forthwith: cement plants, brick kilns, stone crushing plants and units making prefabricated materials.
Ramazan and Smuggling
Because of the Holy month of Ramazan the PM said, he will invite Ulema-e-Karam from all schools of thought for guidance on how the worship during the holy month of Ramazan can continue.
Before Ramazan, there will be a national response to, how the people can be protected from the virus and how they can balance between offering prayer and preventing the spread.
The PM revealed that the government will soon announce another ordinance under to safeguard against smuggling.
A “strict punishments” will be meted out to that smuggling wheat and dollars and people involve in pre-Ramazan hoarding.
He said punishments “like never before” will be given to those found accountable for the smuggling of goods.
To those as well who falsely creating shortages in food and accessories or causing price hikes.
The Ehsaas Program
To ease the financial effects of the ongoing crisis, the government’s first approach was to provide financial assistance and put into action the Ehsaas program.
Ehsaas program has no political interference and anyone can take part. It is solely based on merit.
Around 2.8 million families benefitted so far under the Ehsaas program and distribution will continue he said.
Those families who did not receive funds can still send a text message to 8171.
The NADRA database will be used to discover if they, too, are deserving or not.
Pakistanis Stuck in abroad
Many Pakistani stuck in various golf countries due to airspace closures.
The government is currently focusing on bringing back laborers stuck in different countries.
Umrah pilgrims are also among those who are stuck and their visas have expired.
The spread of the virus mostly occurred when visitors from Taftan and travelers from abroad entered the country.
A proper policy had now been settled to bring them back in phases he said.
In the next few days, the Pakistanis struck in Afghanistan will be able to cross the borders.
After which they will be quarantined for 14 days. A proper policy had now been settled to bring them back in phases.
