Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz on Monday said the Pakistan Railways, industry and small businesses, including shopping malls, had been allowed to resume their activities amid strict adherence to the standard operating procedures.
Addressing a press conference here, he welcomed the Supreme Court’s directives for opening of markets and shopping malls in the suo moto case on coronavirus outbreak, which had vindicated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s stance of simultaneously fighting the pandemic and saving the vulnerable segments of the society from hunger and starvation.
The government was maintaining a balance between economic activities and preventive measures against the coronavirus pandemic, the minister added.
Shibli Faraz appealed to the opposition parties not to indulge in political point scoring on the coronavirus as national unity and cohesion was needed to defeat the contagion.
He said restart of the trains operation had been allowed from May 20, with Railway Divisional Headquarters having the responsibility to implement the SOPs.
Similarly, he said, the industrial sector had also been allowed to operate for facilitation of the business class. However, the industrialists would have to ensure implementation of the preventive measures against the coronavirus. The industry would be allowed to run even during the Eid holidays.
The minister said a long lockdown was not in the interest of the country as the daily-wage earners could not afford restrictions. However, following precautionary measures was vital to tackle the challenge of coronavirus, he added.
Shibli Faraz said the production of protective equipment against the coronavirus had been started in Pakistan and the surplus products would be exported as well.
He asked the masses to ensure social distancing in shopping malls and markets.
The minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan had formally launched the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme for those rendered jobless due to the coronavirus. Despite limited resources, the government was taking all possible steps to provide relief to the poor segments of society.
He said as per the vision of prime minister, there was need to speed up the reforms process in the health sector and the coronavirus pandemic had showed that it should be carried out on urgent basis.
Replying to the questions of media persons, the minister said easing the lockdown was aimed at facilitating the people, particularly the weak segments of the society, to earn their livelihood and it was everyone’s responsibility to make it successful.
He warned that restrictions could be reimposed if the public did not adopt self-discipline despite undergoing the painful experience previously.
