ISLAMABAD: Warning that Pakistan could face the same situation as in India, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday appealed to the public to adhere to the government-prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs) to control the third wave of the coronavirus.
Briefing the media after chairing a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on Covid-19, Prime Minister Khan said that if the SOPs are not followed, the government will be compelled to impose a lockdown.
“People are telling me to impose a lockdown today, but we are not going to do so because, and I keep repeating this, daily wagers and labourers will suffer the most.”
“The situation in India is worsening as people are not getting enough oxygen. Pakistan could also face a similar situation if the SOPs are not followed,” the prime minister warned.
“I appeal to the public to follow the SOPs religiously. The lockdown could be avoided if people cooperate and take precautions,” he stressed, advising the masses to put on a mask while venturing out.
“Pakistan was the only country which had kept mosques open last year during Ramadan. I was proud of the way our religious scholars and imams informed the people about precautionary measures,” he added.
Prime Minister Imran announced that the government will seek the Pakistan Army and Ranges’ help to enforce the SOPs.
Addressing concerns about the slow pace of Covid-19 vaccination, he said that there is a shortage of vaccine worldwide, assuring that the government is trying its level best to procure the vaccine for the country.
“We have asked China, but their demand is also quite large. There is a shortage in the rest of the world.”
Even if we get the vaccines today, it will take at least a year for them to have an impact, he said. “What will make the biggest difference is following precautionary measures,” he said, reiterating that half the problem is solved when wearing face masks.
Similarly, Federal Minister for Planning and Development and Head of the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) Asad Umar on Friday announced that Pakistan Army would be on the roads to enforce Covid-19 SOPs in the country amid concerns over rising virus cases.
Asad shared the details after Prime Minister Imran chaired a meeting of the NCC to review the situation in the wake of the rising cases of Covid-19 in the country.
“Pakistan Army will be on the roads and will help Rangers and police in enforcement of the virus-related SOPs,” he said while sharing details with the media.
Speaking on the alarming situation, the minister said that the country has already utilised 90 per cent of the available oxygen stocks. He added that steps would be taken to improve the oxygen supply.
The NCOC head said that the country is witnessing a surge in Covid-19 cases and plans are in the making to impose further travel restrictions from abroad.
“Effective testing will also be performed on the travellers from abroad,” he said.
Asad said that restaurants will remain closed until Eid, with a complete ban on indoor and outdoor dine-in.
“We have restricted attendance in offices to 50 per cent with duty hours restricted to 2:00 pm,” he said adding that the business centres will be closed by 6:00 pm in the country in the wake of rising cases.
“Shopping will only be allowed in the morning,” he said while urging citizens to avoid waiting for the last three to five days for Eid shopping.
He further shared that all schools in areas witnessing a positivity rate of five per cent will remain shut.
Pakistan on Friday has reported 144 more coronavirus-related deaths during the last 24 hours, lifting the overall death toll to 16,842.
According to the NCOC on Covid-19, the country reported 144 more deaths due to the pandemic, while 5,870 new cases were reported during the said period.
The national tally of confirmed cases climbed to 784,108 as 5,870 new infections surfaced during the past 24 hours.
As many as 53,870 samples were tested, out of which nearly 5,870 turned out to be positive with a 10.90 per cent positivity rate.
The total number of people recuperating from the disease stands at 682,290, while 4,652 patients are critically ill due to Covid-19 and are currently under treatment at the country’s various hospitals.
