Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the lockdown to be lifted in phases from 9th May 2020. Imran khan during the conference on 7th May 2020 highlighted the major issues of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the factors that are causing the lockdown to be lifted.
He stated that the first coronavirus case was diagnosed on 20th February 2020 and then converted into 26 cases till 13th march 2020 resulted in a lockdown.
“We closed all those places such as parade areas, cricket grounds, universities, colleges, and factories that could be the source of gatherings. We implemented lockdown in Pakistan from 13th March 2020 so that the coronavirus would not spread rapidly. We were facing a major problem and that was our labor community. Our laborers were facing huge setback during lockdown. In consideration to the situation of all the other countries, we developed National Command & Operation Center under the supervision of Dr.Asad Umer”, he added.
Imran Khan said we previously unlocked Phase 1 of the construction sector and now after mutual discussion with all the provinces we are exempting all other industries associated with the Construction Industry. Many people are saying that why we are lifting this lockdown when COVID-19 curve is increasing rapidly in Pakistan?
So the answer is we cannot define the peak of coronavirus and taking this initiative because we are in serious condition nowadays. In the light of the current situation of our daily wagers, Rickshaw Drivers, Taxi Drivers, and Small Shop Owners we are forced to ease this situation. We are afraid that all our SMEs didn’t get a huge setback after the lockdown is eased.
“If we found serious repercussions after the lockdown, then we will resume lockdown again” he warned.
“We have given many COVID-19 relief packages in the form of Chota Karobar Scheme, Construction Incentive Package, and Ehsas Program etc. We didn’t give such huge amount of money in our history. We are not able to carry this prolong because the tax amount is decreasing down the order and reached to almost 35%. How could we carry on like this?” the Prime Minister warned.
He said that the Government was already in serious economic conditions before the COVID-19 pandemic. Government is spending too much money on Relief packages as compared to Indian Government as we all know that all our sectors are facing huge problems
“After the lockdown is eased, we all have to act upon the SOPs declared by the Government. Every Sector should have the pre-planned SOPs. Now it’s our responsibility that those industries that are exempted from the lockdown should follow the SOPs. We will not ask Police to reinforce SOPs by force”, the Prime Minister added.
Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar announced six major decisions taken by the Government
- More sectors related to the Construction sector will be resumed.
- Selected OPDs will be resumed for the treatment of potential diseases and ailments.
- Markets will open from Sehri till 5pm.
- Markets will face two days strict lockdown per week.
- Small markets will be exempted from the lockdown.
- Schools will remain close till 15th July.
Exempted Industries and Production Units from the Lockdown:
After the mutual consensus from all the provinces of Pakistan, the Government has been able to make some huge decisions:
- Essential services such as Food items, Pharmaceutical industry, Phase 1 of the Construction industry, and shops had already been exempted from the lockdown.
- From Saturday, industries and shops that are associated with them such as Pipe Mills including PVC and Steel Pipes, Paint manufacturing units, Ceramics, Sanitary ware, Tiles, Electrical cables and Switch gear manufacturing units, Steel & Aluminum manufacturing units will also be exempted from the lockdown.
- If going towards the retail side, then Hardware Stores will also be exempted from the lockdown.
- Stores and shops in the rural areas will also get exemption.
- The Markets and Shops in the localities will also be exempted.
- Time Duration will be from Sehri to 5pm (PST)
- 2 Days strict lockdown will be implemented in a week for these sectors. But in these two days of strict lockdown, pharmacies, grocery stores, and those industries that are in continuous process will be exempted.
Verdict for Educational Sector:
Two decisions have been taken by the Government of Pakistan for the Education Sector
- All the educational sectors including schools, colleges, and universities will remain close till 15th July 2020.
- All the board examinations have been cancelled permanently. All the examinations of the board classes including 9th, 10th, 1st, and 2nd year will not be conducted. Promotion to the next class depends on the previous year results.
Verdict for Overseas Pakistanis:
20,000 Overseas Pakistanis have been reached safely to Pakistan through our special air services. 1, 20000 Overseas Pakistanis and those laborers who got fired from their employment in Gulf Countries have also been registered.The numbers are increasingly rapidly as the Eid-ul-Fitr comes in near about.
Every week 7,000 Overseas Pakistanis have been reaching Pakistan safe and sound. Next week from 11th May 2020, 7500 Overseas Pakistanis would be reached Pakistan through 32 flights.
Pakistanis from America, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Australia, Canada, Iraq, and Canada will also be covered soon.
There are two main points because of which Government of Pakistan is not entertaining overseas Pakistanis more frequently?
- According to the Health Advisory Committee, it is necessary that we should test every Overseas Pakistanis after arrival and place them into Quarantine Centers for some time. COVID tests should be conducted and then reports would be generated. We have the capacity to entertain only 7,500 Overseas Pakistanis per week. But the Government is increasing this capacity as soon as possible.
- After the consensus from all the provinces of Pakistan, Self Quarantine factor will be deployed by the Government of Pakistan. In this way 14,000 Overseas Pakistani could be able to reach easily.