Decision regarding lockdown to be taken after NCOC meeting: Faraz

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Syed Shibli Faraz has informed that a decision regarding the lockdown will be taken after tomorrow’s National Command and Control Centre meeting.

Briefing the media in Islamabad today (Tuesday) after a meeting of the federal cabinet, he said, “Federal planning minister Asad Umar apprised the meeting regarding country’s coronavirus situation.”

The Information Minister also informed that the NCOC meeting will take place tomorrow and will build consensus for a unified policy to ease the lockdown.

Syed Shibli Faraz also announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan has allowed for the export of hand sanitisers to other countries.

In this regard, he said that the federal government was trying to export all these products in order to increase foreign reserves and exports, adding that the approval for the items has been given.

The Minister also said that the cabinet deliberated on the issue of ban on import of goods from India, except life-saving drugs. Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the concerned authorities to make sure that there was no violation of the ban.

Shibli Faraz also announced that during the cabinet meeting, it was also decided that the prime minister and his cabinet members, including all federal ministers, the premier’s advisers, and special assistants will donate their one month’s salary to the PM’s Corona Relief Fund.

Referring to the opposition, he urged the opposition to focus on the coronavirus pandemic in order to ensure the safety of the people of Pakistan instead of holding a press conference to criticize the government.

“We have to respond. Not responding means we are admitting that what they are saying is correct,” he concluded.