ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday vowed full cooperation and support of the federal government to help solve the problems faced by the people of Karachi in the wake of devastating rains.
Chairing a National Coordination Committee (NCC) meeting on the Covid-19, the prime minister spoke to chief minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, who attended the meeting through a video link, and offered him every support of the federal government and its institutions to the provincial government in mitigating the problems of the people of Karachi due to recent rains, and added that all the institutions had already been directed to coordinate with the provincial government in relief activities.
The premier also informed the chief minister Sindh that a long-term plan on sewerage, clean drinking water and water drainage was being finalised for Karachi.
The AJK prime minister and provincial chief ministers also attended the NCC meeting on Covid-19 through video links.
On the issue of Covid-19, the NCC meeting briefed about the steps being taken to stop the spread of coronavirus during Muharram, restoration of educational activities in schools, implementation on testing, tracking, and quarantine strategy, testing plan for various sectors, especially tourism and aviation, and micro- and smart-lockdown strategies.
Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar briefed the meeting about the spread of coronavirus a comparative analysis of the situation obtaining in the region, including Pakistan and beyond.
The prime minister stressed the need for observing standard operating procedures (SOPs), during Muharram to avoid spread of coronavirus, and forewarned that although success had been achieved against coronavirus due to effective strategy, the threat was not over yet.
The prime minister acknowledged cooperation of religious scholars against the Covid-19 during Muharram and was thankful to them.
About resuming educational activities in schools, the premier wanted that all arrangements should be finalised in consultation with the provincial governments, schools administrations and other relevant people, so that final decision with regards to resumption of educational activities from September 15 could be taken on September 7 2020. Earlier, the prime minister chaired a meeting to review progress of different federal government development projects in Karachi and the meeting was given a briefing on progress.
The prime minister said the federal government was fully aware of the development needs of the people of Karachi, and would fulfill its role in that regard.
The Governor Sindh briefed the prime minister about the latest situation of Sindh, and the prime minister said that a comprehensive plan with regard to sewerage, potable water, and water drainage was being prepared in consultation with all the stakeholders.
The prime minister said that Karachi is a very important city of the country and everything will be done to resolve the problem of Karachi. He said he himself would visit Karachi anytime soon to review the situation.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020