Daily Times

A high-level meeting chaired by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday discussed situation on COVID-19 with reference to phase-wise repatriation of Pakistanis in the wake of suspension of international flights.

The meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was attended by Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan, PM’s Special Assistant on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfikar Bukhari, Special Assistant on National Security Dr Moeed Yousaf, Foreign Secretary, Sohail Mehmood, PM’s Special Assistant for Digital Pakistan, Tania Aidrus, Secretary Aviation Division Hassan Nasir Jami, Executive Director National Institute of Health Major General Amir Ikram and CEO Shaukat Khanum Hospital Dr Faisal Sultan.

Foreign Minister Qureshi said the National Coordination Committee has taken decision on suspension of flight operation to control spread of coronavirus. Dr Zafar Mirza gave a briefing on risk assessment of coronavirus cases in the country. The Executive Director NIH updated the meeting on capacity of coronavirus testing and other related facilities. The meeting also discussed strategy following resumption of international flights on April 4.

Meanwhile, Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed announced that the passenger train operations will remain suspended in the country due to rising tally of coronavirus pandemic.

Addressing a presser, Sheikh Rasheed said that initially it was decided to resume the operations from April 1, however the prime minister has ordered against it and now they will remain suspended till further orders. “However, the freight train operations will continue as usual in order to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities across the country,” he said.

The railway minister announced that they had made arrangements for quarantine centres at 570 railway stations. Seven railway hospitals will also be dedicated for treating coronavirus patients, he said, adding that a 50-bed quarantine will be established at a train while a railway hospital having capacity to accommodate 450 patients will also treat virus patients in Rawalpindi.

The minister said that the cabinet meeting on Tuesday (today) will make key decisions including provision of funds for ration through Ehsas programme. He rejected any chances of curfew imposition in the country and said the masses should adopt preventive measures on their own. “Next 15 days are important for controlling the virus,” he said, adding that the situation in Pakistan is far better than Italy or United States.

Separately, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed the provincial police chief to retract all cases lodged against people who were taken into custody for gathering at mosques for Friday congregation. He also assured that the money deposited as surety bonds by people who obtained bail will also be returned.

The directions came after the chief minister met a group of religious scholars.