Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan Saturday advised masses to follow precautionary measures to control spread of deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19). In a series of tweets, she said that protecting health of the people was the top most priority of Prime Minister Imran Khan. She said, no negligence had been identified anywhere in the country regarding the handling and treatment of COVID-19 patients nor it would be tolerated in future as well.
She said the prime minister was personally monitoring the whole situation arising out of coronavirus. She said the federal and provincial governments as well as other relevant institutions were working in coordination to control the situation. She said the people would have to demonstrate exemplary discipline and confront this virus with courage, resilience and unity.
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan also advised people to avoid going to the gatherings, handshakes and repeatedly wash their hands. She advised masses not to eat at restaurants and prefer takeaway the meal. She said to confront the coronavirus threat, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank would give US$238mln and US$350mln to Pakistan, respectively.
Meanwhile, Firdous Ashiq Awan paid glowing tributes to the doctors, nurses and paramedical staff to deal with the coronavirus cases. She acknowledged that they were putting their lives at risk to save the lives of others.
Earlier, addressing a video-conference regarding effective media mechanism on coronavirus, she said, “on behalf of Prime Minister Imran Khan, I assure that in current situation, we all are united, we have to give a message that being a nation, we can handle the threat of coronavirus effectively.” The conference was also attended by provincial representatives through video link.
She said the government was ensuring the provision of timely and correct information to media, adding the government was also taking steps to stop fake news circulating on social media, causing panic among general public. She was of the view that stoppage of misleading and fake news about the coronavirus was important.
The special assistant asked the opposition parties to set aside all the political differences and interest till purging the country of coronavirus. She said protecting health, life and property of people was the top most priority of the government.
