Punjab resumes public transport with SOPs

PUNJAB: Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar has given permission to resume the public transport system across the province despite a rise in coronavirus cases in Punjab.

According to sources, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has summoned a session to discuss and issue a complete standard operating procedure (SOP) plan for the public transport in the province.

After the session, the provincial government will apprise the Centre about the SOPs and its steps regarding the decision to permit all public transport to operate, said sources.

Earlier, a report had presented to the CM Punjab stated that due to the lockdown and curbs on public transport, the problems of the common people intensified. It said that due to the situation, people were forced to use private vehicles on exorbitant rates.

The report suggested that the transport sector should be permitted to become operational to bring relief to the public. In an earlier address to the nation, PM Imran Khan had said that the lockdown was to be lifted in phases.

He had expressed hope that public transport and railways operations will be resumed after thorough discussions with the concerned officials and the National Coordination Committee. The officials were tasked to mull over SOPs in this regard.

It is pertinent to be mentioned here that the Punjab province remains the worst-hit province by the COVID-19 plague with 13,916 confirmed cases and more than 234 fatalities.