Rejects proposal to resume train service
Observer Report
Islamabad
The National Command and Operations Centre on Wednesday, in a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar, proposed easing in lockdown restrictions after May 9.
The chief ministers of the four provinces and representatives of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan attended the meeting. The NCOC has also proposed the resumption of transportation services across the country.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has summoned a National Coordination Committee meeting today to mull over the NCOC’s proposals.
The NCOC has firmed up multiple recommendations to ease the lockdown restrictions imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The suggestions included measures to strike a balance between efforts to curb coronavirus and revive economic activities. These will remain in effect till May 31, if approved in today’s meeting. The recommendations also include the opening of phase II of the construction sector and the reopening of retail outlets.
The participants also proposed that shops should remain open from 9 am to 5 pm, and then again from 8 pm to 10 pm. No changes were made in the SOPs for religious festivities in the second half of the holy month of Ramadan; the measures will remain the same as previously agreed between the government and Ulema.
The National Command and Operation Center meeting rejected the proposal of Pakistan Railways’ to partially resume train service from May 10.
According to details, chief ministers of all four provinces have rejected the recommendation of resuming the train operation partially. The proposal was put forward by Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed in the NCOC meeting held in Islamabad with Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Asad Umar in the chair.
