Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah was on Wednesday suggested to impose smart lockdown in the province amid coronavirus pandemic. The suggestion came during a meeting at the Chief Minister House, attended by provincial ministers, Director General (DG) Rangers, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh Mushtaq Mehar, Chief Secretary Mumtaz Ali Shah and others. The suggestion was also approved by the DG Rangers Sindh during the meeting. A phase-wise opening of all the shops in the province was also suggested during the meeting, however it was recommended that the timings of the opening should be different for separate sectors. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah will make formal announcement regarding the lockdown restrictions. The chief minister is holding consultations with the cabinet members, medical experts, administrative officers and senior officials in this regard, sources said. CM Murad will also contact Prime Minister Imran Khan and other officials in this regard. Sources further said that the decisions will be taken with national consensus and business activities must be permitted in a phased and limited manner. It is pertinent to mention that Sindh Governor Imran Ismail has always said that the lockdown regime in the province has to be relaxed in a gradual manner by the government, keeping in view the economic hardships of labourers and daily-wage earners. While talking to newsmen as he visited the head office of the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF) of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement- Pakistan, the governor said he would personally go to all the charities and non-governmental organisations, which had been busy in providing food rations to needy families during the lockdown so as to properly appreciate the provision of such emergency services. He said social welfare organisations had come forward on their own to help the needy families to lessen their sufferings.
