CM Buzdar announces separate policy over coronavirus outbreak in Lahore

The CM expressed concern over the increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Lahore

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Friday presided over a meeting to review anti-coronavirus steps and future roadmap of phase-wise easing of lockdown.

The meeting was attended by Corps Commander Lahore Lt. Gen. Majid Ehsan, GOC 10-Division Maj. Gen. Aniq ur Rehman Malik, DG Rangers Punjab Maj. Gen. Aamir Majeed, Chief Secretary Jawwad Rafique Malik, IG Police Shoaib Dastagir, ACS (Home), Commissioner Lahore, secretaries of health, food, agriculture and information departments, CCPO Lahore and medical experts.

The meeting took a detailed review of anti-coronavirus steps and future roadmap of phase-wise easing of lockdown. It expressed concern over the increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Lahore city and decided to devise a separate policy to overcome its spread in the provincial metropolis. A committee, constituted under ACS (Home), will formulate recommendations in this regard.

The meeting decided to utilize every resource to prevent the spread of coronavirus besides reviewing progress made on wheat procurement campaign. It was decided that violation of business-related SOPs will not be tolerated while easing the lockdown and indiscriminate action will be initiated in case of any violation. The meeting also paid tributes to the services of doctors and paramedics.

Corps Commander Lt Gen Majid Ehsan reiterated the commitment of continuing all-out assistance to the Punjab government and added that army is standing with the people in this hour of trial. He observed that implementation on a separate line of action is necessary keeping in view the prevailing situation of Lahore city.

The chief minister said that the decision of phase-wise easing of lockdown has been made with collective consultation and permission of opening small markets and shops will be allowed after their zoning. The business houses, resuming their activities, will have to ensure compliance of SOPs while Punjab has achieved the daily testing capacity of six thousand, he said. So far, one lac and 17 thousand have been tested in Punjab, he continued. He added that smart sampling has also being started adding that 214, out of 4100, have been tested positive.

Usman Buzdar maintained that public cooperation is essential to defeating the coronavirus and the citizens will have to be socially responsible to remain safe from this pandemic. He appealed to the citizens to avoid going out needlessly adding that Pak army has always supported the nation during difficult times.

The political and military leadership are amicably dealing with the coronavirus challenge in collaboration with the citizens, he added.

The CM further told that 27 lac tons of wheat have been purchased while the food department has an overall stock of 29 lac tons of wheat. 86 per cent gunny bags have been issued to the farmers and indiscriminate action is in progress for illegally hoarding wheat.

Approval has been granted to include wheat in the anti-hoarding ordinance, he added. The meeting expressed satisfaction over progress in wheat procurement and the CM thanked the military leadership for extending cooperation to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.