Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday directed for ensuring strict implementation of the standard operating procedures and the strategy of smart lockdown to curtail the spread of coronavirus pandemic and prevent any resurgence of the disease during Eidul Azha, later this month.
The prime minister, accompanied by federal ministers, Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and other high-ranking officials visited the National Command and Operation Centre on the occasion of completion of 100 days of its establishment.
During the visit, Imran received a briefing on the current situation and the pattern analysis of Covid-19 spread, the government’s strategy of smart lockdown to balancing life and livelihood and the issues of the poor and the working class during the pandemic.
The participants were informed that the World Economic Outlook of the International Monetary Fund had bracketed Pakistan among a group of 30 countries, where a downturn in the spread had been projected. At the same time, Pakistan’s exports fared much better than other countries of the region.
Imran Khan lauded the efforts of the NCOC team in putting up a robust response to the pandemic and ensuring coordinated actions throughout the country. He praised the resilience and adaptability of the nation to adjust to the new normal by following the SOPs and facing the challenge as one nation.
“From daily monitoring of the situation to the capacity enhancement of health system and from establishing a credible database to better resource management and formulation of appropriate SOPs, the NCOC has led from the front in the fight against pandemic,” Imran said. Noting a slowing down of disease progression, Imran directed to ensure strict implementation of SOPs, undertaking of all required administrative actions to implement the strategy of smart lockdown and continuation of mass awareness campaign to curtail the spread and especially to prevent any resurgence of disease during Eidul-Azha.
The prime minister paid glowing tributes to all the doctors and paramedical staff, emergency responders working as frontline workers in the battle against Covid-19. He also acknowledged the services of health care workers, emergency responders and management team from all the provinces, AJK and GB.
Prime Minister Imran Khan was informed that the government’s strategy of imposing ‘smart lockdowns’ to curb the spread of the coronavirus has helped balance the lives of citizens with their livelihoods.
Federal ministers, Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and other high-ranking officials were present on the occasion as the government marked 100 days of the establishment of the NCOC. The provinces were also represented via video link. At the briefing, the premier was informed that the government’s decision to opt for smart lockdowns — imposed only in virus hotspots — instead of sweeping countrywide restrictions has helped in “keeping the economy afloat” and addressing the problems of the poor and the working class while containing the disease, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
