Daily Times

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar presided over the video-link meeting of cabinet committee for the eradication of coronavirus here at his office on Friday to review the arrangements made for the treatment of patients. It also reviewed the pace of food supply chain in the province.

The meeting decided to close down karyana shops, grocery and general stores at 8-00 pm. The chief minister said that these shops will remain open from 8-00 am to 8-00 pm daily and implementation on this decision will be started from today (March 28). No one will be allowed to violate this decision, he added. He continued that a decision has also been made on the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan to allow movement of goods transport while the ban on public transport will remain in vogue. He directed to further strict the hot-spots’ checking system throughout the province adding implementation on SOPs be ensured after the identification of sensitive areas.

Movement should be kept limited in corona case affected areas, he added. He directed to ensure availability of essential items adding that arrangements relating to managing food supplies for the poor be given final shape at the earliest. He reiterated that economic package is being devised for the hoi polloi and a committee led by finance minister will give briefing today (March 28). He further said that the availability of coronavirus kits must be ensured along with the provision of personal protection equipment for doctors and paramedics. He directed to clean the DG Khan quarantine centres with antiseptic spray. Punjab government appreciates the services being rendered by Pakistan army, rangers, police and members of the provincial administration. Similarly, the role being played by doctors and paramedics is also worthwhile, he added.

Provincial ministers Raja Basharat, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Dr Yasmeen Rahid, Hashim Jawan Bakht, CS, IGP and Commissioner Lahore attended the meeting at CM Office while Mussarat Jamshed Cheema MPA, SMBR and high officials participated through video link from Civil Secretariat. Similarly, secretaries of P&D, Labour, Food and Agriculture departments attended the meeting through video link from P&D Department. Commissioners of DG Khan, Multan and Faisalabad divisions also attended the meeting through the video link.

A delegation of the Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) led by its Central Committee Chairman Asim Raza called on Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office here on Friday and presented a donation of 31 thousand flour bags worth 2.5 crore rupees to the provincial government for distribution in the penurious population.

The CM thanked the delegation and told that a comprehensive strategy has been employed to counter this pandemic while making every effort to improve the supply of flour and other food items. There are ample wheat reserves in the province while the new wheat crop is also ready, he said. Increase in flour mills’ wheat quota will be examined while there should be no hurdle in the supply of flour, he added. He assured to take steps for stabilizing the flour price to ensure its availability at the fixed rate. The people should not face any difficulty as there is no shortage of wheat or flour in the province, he appended.

The PFMA delegation appreciated the steps being taken by the Punjab government for dealing with coronavirus pandemic and assured their full support in this regard. The PFMA will not let any shortage of flour in the province, they added.

Chairman of PFMA’s Punjab Branch Abdul Rauf Mukhtar, Director Food Punjab and others were also present. Separately, US Ambassador Paul W Jones has assured of every possible cooperation to Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar to deal with the coronavirus.

In a letter, the Ambassador said his country stands with Pakistan in the fight against coronavirus and added the US has termed Pakistan as a priority country for emergency coronavirus assistance. The US is providing assistance for overcoming epidemics, he further said.

In this regard, the chief minister appreciated the US cooperation adding that coronavirus is an international pandemic which requires coordinated efforts for dealing with it.

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed a deep sense of sorrow over the death of an elderly patient in Mayo Hospital and sought a report from the minister and secretary health. He directed to hold an impartial inquiry for taking action against those responsible for this negligence. Such an incident cannot be tolerated, asserted the chief minister.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar condoles the loss of lives due to falling off the roof in Arifwala and extended sympathies to the bereaved heirs. In a condolence message, he prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed souls in eternal peace. He also sought a report from the administration and directed to provide best treatment facilities to the injured.