We need to render untiring efforts for containing COVID-19 across country: PM

Premier Imran visits NCOC and directs to focus on health management, socio-economic and food security

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday visited the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) for COVID-19 in Islamabad, where he was briefed on the measures being taken to cope with the situation arising out of coronavirus crisis.

Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar and Major General Asif Mehmood Goraya, DG Operations and Planning NCOC, apprised the premier about the latest situation and future course of action to contain the spread of highly contagious disease.

1) Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI visited National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) for COVID-19 in Islamabad today. pic.twitter.com/U7trJijmhU

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) April 3, 2020

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa among other federal ministers and officials were also present during the visit.

PM Imran directed the NCOC to focus on health management, financial impact, socio-economic and food security, strategic communication and awareness to deal with the crisis.

He also suggested the calibrated and measured response paradigm with the evolving scenario in the wake of global pandemic.

The prime minister also appreciated the performance of NCOC, saying: "We need to render untiring efforts for effective enforcement of the decisions through NCOC to contain the outbreak of COVID-19 across the country."

He reiterated that there must be no compromise on availability of essential food items and sustainability of supply lines throughout the country.



Premier Imran stressed on the need to prioritise the efforts and enforce the decisions of the NCOC through regular and timely meetings under the leadership of Asad Umar.

"Hoarders and smugglers will be made an example," he warned.

The NCOC is nerve centre to synergise and articulate unified national effort against COVID-19, and to implement the decisions of National Coordination Committee on COVID-19.

The centre is one window operation to collate, analyse and process information based on digital input and human intelligence across Pakistan through all provinces including in AJK and federal territories via dedicated representatives and centres, according to official statement.

"Recommendations based on information/data is then processed including health, finance and all other matters related to virus outbreak to NCC for real time projections and timely interventions by the NCC headed by the prime minister."