STAFF REPORTER
KARACHI Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday, announcing stricter measures for the two-week lockdown extension in the province, once again called for the provincial and federal governments to get on the same page to tackle challenges arising out of the coronavirus epidemic in the country. “During our meeting with the federal government yesterday, we asked for a uniform policy to deal with the situation,” Shah said while addressing a press conference in Karachi. “It was decided in the meeting that the lockdown in the country would be extended for 14 days. All the provinces were unanimous in the decision that the lockdown should be extended” he said. The chief minister added that there were some issues, however, that the provinces and the federal government did not agree on. “Some provinces and the federal government agreed that some essential workplaces should reopen. We did not agree to open shops for barbers, plumbers, electricians. etc,” he said. “We did, however, agree that plumbers and electricians — those involved in travelling to homes to provide services — be allowed, provided they are follow ing the SOPs issued by the government,” he said. “We all agreed to restart the automobile sector and domestic flights with the implementation of decided SOPs. We, however, suggested that the federal government wait for another two weeks before resuming domestic flight operations,” he said. We also agreed on the reopening of export-related industries, he added. “In light of recent numbers, there may be a need for stricter implementation of the lockdown in the coming days. We have told the federal government about imposing strict measures,” he said.
