SOPs for construction industry in the making

PM’s aide says govt will also address issues faced by other virus-hit sectors

ISLAMABAD:  

The federal government is preparing standard operating procedures (SOPs) to lift restrictions on the construction industry and its affiliated sectors in a bid to offset the economic and social impact of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, the PM’s aide on accountability said on Friday.

“The government’s strategy is to control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and save businesses as well,” Shahzad Akbar told the participants of an event at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) organised to kick off the distribution of food items among the poor amid the viral outbreak.

“The government will also address the issues faced by importers, the hotel industry and other affected businesses,” he added.

“Members of the business community should fully abide by these SOPs to save their own lives and those of their workers.”

The PM’s aide said the provision of relief to the business community in the payment of rent and utility bills was also under consideration.

“Covid-19 is a life changing pandemic and we all have to take extra precautionary measures to control its spread.”

Akbar lauded the ICCI’s initiative of distributing food items among poor families.

“The business community has always demonstrated great generosity and cooperated with the government in testing times.”

Speaking on the occasion, Islamabad police chief Aamir Zulfiqar said taking care of the underprivileged segment of the society amid the ongoing crisis was everybody’s responsibility.

He assured the ICCI that the Islamabad police would assist it in distributing ration among poor families. “The Islamabad police have helped in the distribution of ration among 8,000 people and will continue to play their role for this purpose.

In his welcome address, ICCI President Muhammad Ahmed Waheed said the business community had always played a frontline role in every crisis and would help in reducing the difficulties faced by the poor due to the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the virus.

Mian Akram Farid, the chairman of the ICCI’s Founder Group, said industrialists were ready to take all precautionary measures for their workers and government should gradually allow industries to resume their operations.

He added that industrialists had paid salaries to their workers for the month of March. “However, if the industries remained closed, it will become difficult to continue paying salaries.”