Sindh to resume intra-city transport services after drafting SOPs

Provinces oppose Sheikh Rasheed's suggestion to resume train services

KARACHI: The Sindh government decided on Wednesday to resume intra-city transport services following the formation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the service's resumption.

The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Federal Minister Asad Umar.

The demand for restoring train services was also put forth by Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed but was met with objection from all four provinces and the provincial governments advised against doing so.

The meeting weighed in on various proposals for easing the lockdown so as to resume business activity. The Sindh government recommended that the reopening of businesses be done in phases while suggesting that shops be allowed to open in rural areas.

The Sindh government also proposed to open small markets in the first phase, however, objected to the opening of shopping malls for now.

The Pakistan Peoples Party-led government also recommended for SOPs to be established for Eid-ul-Fitr.

Meanwhile, Sindh agreed to the opening intra-city transport services, after SOPs are formulated.

The final decision on the proposals presented by the provinces will be taken in a separate meeting chaired by the prime minister.

As the national command centre's meeting concluded, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah called for a meeting of his own cabinet to discuss the proposals put forth.