Markets to open five days a week from Sehri till 5pm: Asad Umar

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has announced that the markets will be allowed to open five days a week from ‘Sehri till 5pm’.

Addressing a press conference after the NCC meeting in Islamabad today (Thursday), Asad Umar said that six major decisions have been taken by the government in the meeting.

1- More sectors linked with construction will be opened

2- Selected OPDs will be opened to treat various diseases

3- Markets will open after Sehri

4- Markets will remain closed for two days

5- Small markets will also be opened

6- Educational institutes to remain shut until July 25

Elaborating the decisions, he said, “Earlier, we had decided to reopen our construction industry. Now we have decided to reopen more sectors related to the industry.”

He further said that the government was considering opening markets after iftar. However, he said, “We ended up deciding that markets should not open at night,” adding, “Markets will open after sehri but they will have to close at 5pm.”

“Markets will remain closed two days a week. Our police officials need a much-needed respite from enforcing lockdown measures,” the federal minister added.

The planning minister also said that the OPDs in hospitals will now reopen in selected and reserved hospitals across the country.  

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the lockdown will be lifted in phases starting from Saturday, May 9.

Addressing the nation after a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC), the prime minister said the decision has been taken in consultation with all the provinces to ease out people’s lives.

Meanwhile, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood announced the cancellation of all board examinations across the country as a part of a precautionary measure to prevent coronavirus.

Addressing a press conference today (Thursday), alongside Prime Minister Imran Khan, Shafqat Mehmood said that all schools, universities, and other educational institutions will remain closed till July 15.