Information Minister Senator Shibli Faraz on Monday said that gradual reopening of markets and transport was essential for the economic health of society.
He, while addressing a press conference, said Pakistan is a poor country, with limited resources and the economy cannot bear such prolonged lockdown or deprive the poor of their livelihood.
The government has allowed train, industry, and small businesses, including shopping malls, to resume their activities subject to strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
He slammed both the mainstream opposition parties and accused them of playing politics over the coronavirus pandemic, and said that interest of the masses should rather be their top priority.
Faraz said that the Supreme Court decision on Monday should be observed in letter and spirit by the opposition parties too.
"Whatever we are doing is aimed at strengthening the economy and supporting the downtrodden in the time of COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
Faraz said shopping malls had been allowed to remain open, and it would be their decision to continue their business activities even on Saturdays and Sundays.
He, however, appealed to people to observe precautionary measures and the SOPs to prevent spread of the coronavirus.
The minister said industrial units had also been permitted to start their activities and even they were allowed to continue on Eid holidays.
While criticising the opposition, he said those who looted the country and brought the nation to the brink of bankruptcy, were trying to play politics under the current conditions.
"I request the opposition to be rational, it is no time for politics," he added.
"The approach of the prime minister has been practical, and to maintain a delicate balance between precaution as well as solving the financial problems of the large part of the population."
He criticised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), rebuking its leader for what he claimed efforts to create confusion and spread misgivings among the masses.
"They hold press conferences and try to present a wrong picture to the citizens, claiming that there was no coronavirus fighting plan with the government but this is not correct. We request for joint efforts to address this situation, the government is trying to address the issues faced by all segments of society," Faraz said.
Regarding relations between the PTI-led federal government and the Sindh province ruled by the PPP, the minister said the Sindh government had done a lot of politics over this issue.
"The NCOC is a national institution, they have strong representation in it, the chief minister of Sindh is a part of it, and all the decisions made in the NCOC are finalised after consensus and there is no one-sided decision made in the committee," he said.
Faraz said that after participating in the meetings and being part of the decision making, the CM Sindh returns to making political and controversial statements in Karachi.
"As we see these SOPs are being violated, and this will leave the government without any choice but to go for the closedown again," Faraz cautioned.
Responding to a question over the failure of the government to arrest price hike in Ramazan, the minister said that inflation was an 'unfortunate tradition' during Ramazan, and it was a blot on the face of the country.
"We should learn from the West - how the traders there treat their customers ahead of festivals, but it is unfortunate here- see the figures, inflation is going down, interest rates are down, but we need to pass on the benefits to the customers too," he added.
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