PM summons NCOC meeting, key decisions expected

In the current situation, Prime Minister Imran Khan has also summoned a meeting of NCOC on Friday (tomorrow) as strategic decisions to contain COVID-19 are expected, GNN reported.

The meeting was called after Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar and SAPM on Health Dr Faisal Sultan met with Prime Minister Imran Khan here at PM House.

During the meeting, the NCOC head and SAPM briefed the prime minister in detail about the Covid-19 situation in the country.

“Key decisions are expected to be taken during the meeting in the wake of rising COVID-19 numbers,” the sources knowing the meeting’s agenda told.

According to GNN sources, the federation has prepared and forwarded new proposals to the provinces while asking them to comment on the suggestions.

Sources further claim that the federal government aims to impose sanctions in two phases. In the first phase, it has been proposed to close business activities from 6 pm to dawn while petrol pumps, vaccine centres and pharmacies would remain open.

In the proposals sent to the provinces by the NCOC, the working hours of the federal subordinate offices have been reduced from 9 am to 2 pm along with complete closure of gyms and exercise centres, added sources.

Sources reveal that in case of non-reduction in the spread of Corona in Phase-I, a conditional implementation of full lockdown— Phase-II—has also been proposed under which complete lockdown will be implemented in areas or cities where the positive rate of COVID-19 is 13% or higher.

In the current situation, Prime Minister Imran Khan has also summoned a meeting of NCOC on Friday (tomorrow) as strategic decisions to contain COVID-19 are expected, GNN reported.

The meeting was called after Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar and SAPM on Health Dr Faisal Sultan met with Prime Minister Imran Khan here at PM House.

During the meeting, the NCOC head and SAPM briefed the prime minister in detail about the Covid-19 situation in the country.

As of April 22, Pakistan saw 5,857 new cases of coronavirus along with 98 deaths. The current positivity ratio has been recorded at 10.17%, while at present, there are 84,935 active cases in the country. 

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the Country has recorded 778,238 cases out of which 676,605 patients have successfully recovered. 

Meanwhile, 16, 698 people have so far succumbed to the disease.