Daily Times

The Punjab government has launched a province-wide mobile awareness campaign, ‘stay home, remain safe’ for safety from coronavirus on the instructions of Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar who inaugurated this drive at a ceremony held at CM Office on Monday.

The CM disclosed that this campaign is initiated in Lahore through a squad of 250 motorcycles and 50 rickshaws adding that a total of 850 motorcycles and 500 rickshaws will be engaged to create social awareness at union council level in the provincial metropolis. This campaign will be run through 4130 motorcycles in the province and pamphlets will be distributed about precautionary measures, he added. Usman Buzdar emphasized that today’s Pakistan requires us to remain confined to our homes and people should follow the government’s instructions for safety from coronavirus. He asserted that the government has taken every step for public safety and the challenge of coronavirus will be defeated with joint efforts. Pakistanis are a responsible nation who will fulfil their obligation of social distancing to avoid the agony of permanent parting, he added.

The ceremony was also attended by Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mussarat Jamshaid Cheema MPA, secretaries of health and information departments and others.

Meanwhile, an important meeting was held at CM Office under the chair of Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar and Corps Commander Lahore Lt. Gen. Majid Ehsan which was also attended by GOC 10 Division Maj. Gen. Muhammad Aniq-ur-Rehman Malik, GOC 11 Division Maj. Gen. Muhammad Yousaf, DG Rangers Punjab Maj. Gen. Muhammad Aamir Majeed, Chief Secretary, ACS (Home), health secretaries and others.

The meeting held a detailed review of steps being taken to overcome coronavirus as well as the arrangements made for the treatment of patients. The participants agreed to employ every possible step for saving the lives of the people. It was decided that collective steps will be made to ensure hundred per cent implementation on government steps. Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Majid Ehsan said that full cooperation will be extended to the Punjab government to deal with coronavirus as it is a collective issue which needs joint efforts. Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said that Punjab government has sought help from the army under Article 245 adding that armed forces have always extended full support in difficult times. The military and the political leadership will deal with this challenge in a befitting manner and all the resources of the Punjab government are available to counter the coronavirus pandemic, he added.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has called the 28th provincial cabinet meeting on March 24 to discuss 17-points agenda. The meeting will also be briefed about the situation arising in the wake of pervasive coronavirus pandemic.