Partial lifting of lockdown, premised on humanitarian grounds: Asad Umar

ISLAMABAD, May 7 (APP):Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar Thursday
said the government had decided to lift the lockdown for selected sectors after
evolving a consensus on the issue, which was purely based on humanitarian
grounds.
The initiative was taken after the thorough consultation with all stakeholders
including provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, he said while addressing
a press briefing, following the meeting of National Coordination Committee (NCC)
on coronavirus disease (COVID-19), chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Asad Umar said the decision of lifting lockdown was taken, keeping in view
the negative and adverse impact of lockdown on public life. “The people are unable
to earn their livelihood due to lockdwon and they are becoming mentally paralyzed
as they badly need money for food, health, education and other daily-life necessities”,
he added.
Responding to point of view some people that the government had only two options either to save human lives or to save economy, the minister termed it a debate sans any purpose, saying that opening some sectors with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) could help prevent spread of corona virus.
He said today’s decision was presented before the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) after a week-long preparation and consultation.
Asad Umar said the Prime Minister had the option to impose the decisions of federal government without consulting the provinces under his constitutional power. The PM
opted to go for consultation with the provinces to make sure that this sensitive issue
was managed properly, he added.
With regard to decisions of NCC meeting, the minister informed that six decisions
had been taken regarding the easing of lock down in the country.
He said the after opening of the first phase of construction related industries and business, the government had also decided to open second phase of construction
sector from May 09.
Giving details of construction related industries and shops, Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar said the government has allowed to open pipe mills, paint
manufacturing units and all relevant shops from Saturday (May 09).
Similarly, he said ceramic sanitary ware, tile electrical cables and switch gear manufacturing units and shops would also be opened from the given date.
Further, steel and aluminum manufacturing units and all relevant shops
had also been allowed to open their production and business, he added.
Hammad Azhar said all hardware stores would also be open from
May 09.
Asad Umar said small markets, the shops that are in localities and
villages with no chance of big gathering, would also be open from
May 09. However he said all these shops would remain open five
days a week from Sehri time to 5:00 pm.
The 5th decision, he said was to allow some selected hospitals to
open outpatient departments (OPDs) to facilitate the patients suffering
from various diseases.
Umar said the meeting also decided that educational institutions
would remain closed till July 15.