Daily Times

Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday directed his government to formulate anti-coronavirus strategies considering the needs of all social segments, particularly the poor, ridding the country of the previous tendency of devising pro-rich policies.

Chairing a meeting to review the situation of Covid-19 pandemic in the country, the prime minister said the government has to maintain a balance between prevention against coronavirus and sustainability of economic process.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers Hamad Azhar, Asad Umar, Khusro Bakhtiar, Fakhar Imam, Omar Ayub, special assistants Dr Zafar Mirza and Dr Moeed Yousuf, National Disaster Management Authority Chairman Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal and other senior officials.

The SAPM on health apprised the meeting of the prevailing Covid-19 situation, new coronavirus cases and the ratio of fatality and recovery. The meeting was told that Pakistan’s ratio of new cases and recovery was lesser than that of the world.

Industries minister Hamad Azhar briefed the meeting about the opening of steel and other industries as had been decided as part of the strategy for the construction industry. He also apprised the participants about Rs 75 billion package for the labourers and workers designed in collaboration with the industries ministry and the Ehsaas Programme to target up to six million people. He said the government will bear the utility bills of small businesses for three months.

The NDMA chief briefed the meeting about the availability of testing kits, protection equipment, N95 masks, ventilators and other items required during the anti-Covid operations. The prime minister told the meeting that the government has finalized the policy regarding allowing Taraweeh prayers at mosques after consultation with the ulema, who had also taken the responsibility of its true implementation. He said maintaining the social distancing for protection against coronavirus is everyone’s responsibility. He instructed the government to formulate any strategy for upcoming days of Ramazan keeping in view the public needs.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the parliamentarians to play an active part in facilitating the public and providing relief to the weaker segments of society, particularly during the current situation of coronavirus in the country. He expressed these views in a meeting with Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan, and members of National Assembly (MNAs) Prince Muhammad Nawaz Allai and Ali Khan Jadoon. The MNAs apprised the prime minister about the ongoing relief work in the wake of lockdown. The meeting also discussed development matters pertaining to their respective constituencies.