COVID-19: Prime Minister Imran Khan says he is satisfied with number of coronavirus cases

Dubai: As the number of COVID-19 cases crosses 14,000 mark with more than 300 deaths on Tuesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the intensity of coronavirus in Pakistan was not as severe as it was in other parts of the world.

Chairing a COVID-19 emergency meeting in Islamabad, Prime Minister Imran said that he was quite satisfied that the intensity of Covid-19 was still low in Pakistan as compared to other countries, especially the United States and Europe. He, however, had said in earlier statement that the coronavirus cases peak will start in May.

The prime minister said the government was monitoring the situation closely and would soon announce its next strategy regarding the lockdown keeping in view the need of the people of all segments of society and the holy month of Ramadan.

Relief of industries

Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar informed the prime minister about reopening of the construction industry in the first phase and steel and other industries in the second one. He said more than six million people would get benefit under a relief package of about Rs75 billion announced by the prime minister for labourers and daily wage earners. The government would pay three months’ electricity bills of small businesses, he added.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Mohammad Afzal said that Pakistan would soon attain the capacity to conduct 40,000 tests for the coronavirus per day, Dawn news reported.

China aid

Talking to the media after receiving a consignment of 18 tonnes medical equipment from China arrived in Islamabad through a special PIA flight, he said in the next few days the country’s laboratories would be able to conduct up to 40,000 tests daily. NDMA to set up two more coronavirus testing facilities in Karachi

He said the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) had collaborated with the NDMA in procuring the medical equipment valuing $50 million from China. “Three to four more flights carrying mostly PPE and ventilators would arrive soon,” he added.

He said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was funding around $105 million to the NDRMF for procuring more medical equipment, which would be provided to the federation and the provinces through the NDMA. The World Bank would also give $60 million to Pakistan for the purpose.

Nadeem Ahmad said the NDRMF would try to create earning opportunities for the people, whose businesses or employments had been affected due to the lockdown.

Price control Ordinance

Meanwhile, Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information Ajmal Wazir has said that the government has introduced an ordinance to keep prices under control durign Ramadan. He said that anyone who identified people who were profiteering or over-charging would get 10 per cent of the amount recovered.

He added that the decision has been taken so that “no one takes advantage of people during coronavirus and Ramadan”.

School fee reduction in Sindh

Earlier, the Sindh provincial cabinet has approved aCOVID-19 Emergency Relief Ordinance- 2020. According to the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Ordinance-2020, there will be a 20% reduction in school fees and no employee can be fired from their jobs, reported Geo TV.

The Ordinance mandates that the salaries of those employed in the private sector are paid. Income slabs would be notified as well under the new legislation.

Some relief was provided in electricity bills as well as a significant one on the monthly water bills for residential areas. The ordinance also provides for discounts on gas consumption and house rent.

According to official tally, confirmed coronaivurs cases have risen to 14079 wwith 301 deaths on Tuesday morning. Some 3233 patients have recovered so far.