ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan was yet to see the COVID-19 peak in late May or the start of June.
In an interview, Qureshi said: “Pakistan was taking all precautionary measures to contain the new Coronavirus. But we still think that the second wave of pandemic is yet to arrive. We are prepared for it,” he said.
“Pakistan has less number of COVID-19 cases as compared to any other country. You can see how it [the virus] has affected the entire world and forced the countries to impose lockdown and suspend all activities. We are safe because we took timely action.”
Qureshi believed that the world would laud Pakistan’s efforts in fight against coronavirus.
“We are nearing to defeat this coronavirus and the entire world will see our arrangements. Our medical facilities and our health workers are fully equipped. We are providing ventilators and all other equipment to the hospitals and quarantine centers,” he added.
Related: NCOC proposes easing in lockdown restrictions from 10th May
During a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar yesterday, the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) proposed easing in lockdown restrictions from 10th day of May, 2020.
The huddle that was attended by the CMs of four provinces and representatives of AJ&K and GB, also suggested the resumption of transportation services all over Pakistan.
It is pertinent to mention here that the PM has called a National Coordination Committee (NCC) meeting tomorrow (Thursday 7th of May, 2020) to discuss the proposals presented by NCOC’s.
It may be noted that Punjab, Balochistan, and Sindh, during an inter-provincial education ministers huddle chaired by Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood, had opposed reopening the educational institutions after from Monday 1st of June, 2020.
Since Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh had stressed on keeping educational institutions closed the final decision will be taken at the NCC meeting.
Federal Cabinet had yesterday approved a proposal apropos easing country-wide restrictions after 9th of May. Meanwhile, the PM has emphasized upon taking care of those who could not earn a living due to lockdown.
The PM backed the proposal of easing restrictions in the country, keeping in view the hardships being faced by people due to the lockdown. However, Imran Khan has warned of an abrupt spike in infections if the SOPs were not followed. The NCOC has firmed up multiple recommendations to ease the lockdown restrictions imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Recommendations also include the opening of construction Industry’s Phase II, reopening of retail outlets, opening of inter-provincial transportation in line with laid down SOPs. It has also been proposed that shops should remain open from 9 am to 5 pm, and then again from 8 pm to 10 pm.
However, SOPs for religious festivities in the second half of Ramazan will remain the same.
