STAFF REPORTER
ISLAMABAD Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said Wednesday decisions regarding the coronavirus were being taken after considering ground realities and 210 million people. Outlining the need for a balance between containing the coronavirus from spreading and also ensuring economic activity across the country does not come to a halt, Umar said that it was important to keep in mind those who were facing hardships due to the lockdown. “We are trying to present the facts in front of you [masses] with honesty,” he said. “We have to take decisions for the betterment of 210 million people,” he added. The minister said that the prime minister was particularly concerned about the thelawalas, tailors, workers, labourers and other daily wagers who were bearing the brunt of the lockdown. He said that there were concerns among the masses regarding the lockdown but facts had to be taken according to the situation. “Decisions are taken keeping in mind the facts on the ground,” he said, adding that people should not compare other countries with Pakistan as the situation regarding the coronavirus was different in each country. “If you give me the responsibility to make decisions for Germany and Pakistan [about coronavirus], I’ll take different decisions,” he said. “Me, one person, will take two different decisions. This is because the situation on the ground in the two countries is quite different,” he added. Umar said that the basic direction of the country should be the same. He said that chief ministers of all provinces and other stakeholders take part in the National Coordination Committee meetings and present their recommendations. “The direction we take should be the same and decisions should be taken with consultation,” he said. “It is my opinion that provinces and even district administrations should be allowed flexibility to take decisions according to the situation,” he added. The minister said that once the pandemic was over, people can argue with one another about which steps taken by the government were correct and which were not
