Staff Reporter
Lahore
Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a press conference in Lahore on Wednesday, once again appealed to the masses to cooperate with the government and take precautions, so that people’s livelihoods are not affected by restrictions.
He said that the authorities were “worried” about increasing pressure on hospitals and medical staff due to the spike in cases.
The premier, however, ruled out a lockdown, saying that the government does not want “people to die due to hunger while protecting them from coronavirus”. He added that the country’s exports had finally picked up and the government does not want to hurt them again by shutting down factories and businesses.
He said that the country was able to overcome the situation in June, when Pakistan saw its first peak, by “coming together and taking precautions” and urged the public to do the same again.
Noting the rapid increase in the number of daily deaths due to the virus, the prime minister said that people should avoid large gatherings as close contact increases the spread of Covid-19.
Responding to a question regarding mass rallies held by opposition parties, the premier said: “Nothing will come of these rallies and gatherings, no one will get an NRO. They (opposition) are endangering people’s lives.”
Imran Khan once again rejected the closure of businesses, industries, and other economic activities in view of rising novel coronavirus cases during its second wave in Pakistan.
Noting the rapid increase in the number of daily deaths due to the virus, PM said that people should avoid large gatherings as close contact increases the spread of Covid-19.
“Covid infections are rapidly increasing and this will increase pressure on our hospitals. The situation can become worse if we did not take precautions,” warned the prime minister.
He said that the government managed to stabilise the national economy after making efforts. The premier directed making nationals aware of the precautionary measures. The prime minister urged citizens to show unity in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic like they supported the government during the first coronavirus wave. He also appealed to religious scholars to continue supporting the govt’s efforts against the pandemic. Pakistan was the only Muslim country in the world, which did not close its mosques as our religious scholars played a pivotal role in observing SOPs in mosques, said PM and added that the government has decided, not to close factories and other sources of earning, in order to save people’s lives from hunger. While answering a question, PM Khan said he had postponed public rallies to avoid the spread of the contagion and the government will not allow anyone, including the opposition, to endanger the lives of people by holding public rallies. Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Bundal Island was an important project for Karachi owing to rising issues faced by the city, expanding manifold with the passage of time. “Expansion in the city has caused a rise in pollution,” he said while speaking to media adding that the Bundal Island project was aimed at saving the city.
