PM cautions against stoking public fear
Says Centre, provinces working jointly to cope with virus
PM Imran Khan. PHOTO: PID
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the officials concerned not to take any decision which stokes fear among the masses, saying the government is fully cognisant of the novel coronavirus threat and the Centre and provinces are in close coordination trying to cope with the situation.
“The Pakistani nation has bravely faced every ordeal in the past and by the grace of Allah the coronavirus will also be tackled through joint national efforts,” the premier said while addressing a meeting of the recently established National Coordination Committee (NCC) to contain the COVID-19 on Monday.
Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri, Interior Minister Brig (retd) Ijaz Ahmed Shah, Finance Adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, State Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to PM on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, SAPM on Oversees Pakistanis Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bokhari and others were present. All the four provincial chief ministers participated in the meeting via video link.
The meeting discussed the progress on the implementation of the decisions taken by the National Security Committee (NSC), the challenges and the future strategy.
The chief ministers apprised the meeting of the measures being taken by their respective governments to contain the COVID-19.
The prime minister stressed the need to sensitise the masses on the seriousness of the issue and create public awareness regarding the precautionary measures, saying he would address the nation soon on the issue.
“Do not be afraid of corona, instead fight the disease as a nation.”
The prime minister reiterated his call for the people not to get panicked rather brave the issue with a national spirit.
Addressing a news conference after attending the NCC meeting, state minister for health said the first meeting of the NCC, constituted on the direction of Premier Imran, was held to discuss plans to effectively curb the spread of the disease by evaluating the situation on a daily basis.
“The NCC is responsible for implementing the decisions of the NSC,” said Mirza, adding that the decisions for closure of all educational institutions, including public and private schools, universities, vocational institutions and Madrassas had already been taken by the committee.
“Taking the situation as a national challenge, all possible steps are being taken to ensure implementation of the national action plan and for this all available resources will be utilised to protect citizens from the disease.”
He said the Command and Control Centre for Coronavirus has started functioning and will provide a centralised mechanism for regular sharing of information, latest updates, figures and directions on the disease.
“The government has decided to start spraying in selected public and private buildings, hospitals and public places to control infection and for this purpose an advisory would be issued on the use of insecticide,” Mirza said.
“An advisory has also been issued on the use of masks,” he said, advising citizens to avoid unnecessary use of masks and come for coronavirus test only in case of high level of vulnerability like arrival from affected countries or dealing with a virus patient.
He said the N95 mask was only for health staff or persons having coronavirus like symptoms, adding that there was no need for a normal person to wear a mask.
He said the role of media was important and it was decided that an effective awareness campaign would be launched on electronic, print and social media to create awareness among public about the disease by sharing public service messages with the support of Inter-Services Public Relations.
He asked the Ulema, political leaders, youth, teachers, students and volunteers to come forward and play their role in educating masses on prevention aspects.
He said the federal and provincial governments were committed to prevent the coronavirus, and were on same page for implementing a unified policy to protect Pakistan from the virus.
“It has been decided to avail the services of Pakistan Rangers in smooth screening of incoming passengers at airports,” Mirza said, adding that a strict vigilance was already being maintained at the airports with screening of incoming travellers and their follow up by dedicated public health teams and airport health authorities.
“There is a foolproof screening process adopted by health officials at Taftan border for 6,000 pilgrims who are returning from Iran.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the officials concerned not to take any decision which stokes fear among the masses, saying the government is fully cognisant of the novel coronavirus threat and the Centre and provinces are in close coordination trying to cope with the situation.
“The Pakistani nation has bravely faced every ordeal in the past and by the grace of Allah the coronavirus will also be tackled through joint national efforts,” the premier said while addressing a meeting of the recently established National Coordination Committee (NCC) to contain the COVID-19 on Monday.
Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri, Interior Minister Brig (retd) Ijaz Ahmed Shah, Finance Adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, State Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to PM on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, SAPM on Oversees Pakistanis Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bokhari and others were present. All the four provincial chief ministers participated in the meeting via video link.
The meeting discussed the progress on the implementation of the decisions taken by the National Security Committee (NSC), the challenges and the future strategy.
The chief ministers apprised the meeting of the measures being taken by their respective governments to contain the COVID-19.
The prime minister stressed the need to sensitise the masses on the seriousness of the issue and create public awareness regarding the precautionary measures, saying he would address the nation soon on the issue.
“Do not be afraid of corona, instead fight the disease as a nation.”
The prime minister reiterated his call for the people not to get panicked rather brave the issue with a national spirit.
Addressing a news conference after attending the NCC meeting, state minister for health said the first meeting of the NCC, constituted on the direction of Premier Imran, was held to discuss plans to effectively curb the spread of the disease by evaluating the situation on a daily basis.
“The NCC is responsible for implementing the decisions of the NSC,” said Mirza, adding that the decisions for closure of all educational institutions, including public and private schools, universities, vocational institutions and Madrassas had already been taken by the committee.
“Taking the situation as a national challenge, all possible steps are being taken to ensure implementation of the national action plan and for this all available resources will be utilised to protect citizens from the disease.”
He said the Command and Control Centre for Coronavirus has started functioning and will provide a centralised mechanism for regular sharing of information, latest updates, figures and directions on the disease.
“The government has decided to start spraying in selected public and private buildings, hospitals and public places to control infection and for this purpose an advisory would be issued on the use of insecticide,” Mirza said.
“An advisory has also been issued on the use of masks,” he said, advising citizens to avoid unnecessary use of masks and come for coronavirus test only in case of high level of vulnerability like arrival from affected countries or dealing with a virus patient.
He said the N95 mask was only for health staff or persons having coronavirus like symptoms, adding that there was no need for a normal person to wear a mask.
He said the role of media was important and it was decided that an effective awareness campaign would be launched on electronic, print and social media to create awareness among public about the disease by sharing public service messages with the support of Inter-Services Public Relations.
He asked the Ulema, political leaders, youth, teachers, students and volunteers to come forward and play their role in educating masses on prevention aspects.
He said the federal and provincial governments were committed to prevent the coronavirus, and were on same page for implementing a unified policy to protect Pakistan from the virus.
“It has been decided to avail the services of Pakistan Rangers in smooth screening of incoming passengers at airports,” Mirza said, adding that a strict vigilance was already being maintained at the airports with screening of incoming travellers and their follow up by dedicated public health teams and airport health authorities.
“There is a foolproof screening process adopted by health officials at Taftan border for 6,000 pilgrims who are returning from Iran.”