The federal government has decided to extend the ongoing lockdown for another 15 days, ie, till May 9 across the country for protection of masses and to contain the spread of coronavirus.

After a meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Asad Umar Friday addressing a news conference said that the NCOC has decided to extend the date of the lockdown till May 9 as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic.

He said the government was also making all-out efforts to enhance testing capacity to ascertain the actual number of infected people in the country.

The minister said that for this purpose, the NCOC on Saturday was going to start implementation of the trace and track system in the country. "Consultations were held with the chief secretaries and then health ministers at the NCOC. The prime minister has given approval for the system," the minister said.

Umar said that the apex body of the NCOC would oversee the trace and track system but the provincial governments, information technology institutions, civil and military organisations would be involved in the process as well.

He said, "it is a complete national response formed by the government and the provincial governments will be responsible mainly for the implementation of the system."

The minister said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had instructed the Power Division to ensure that there would be no loadshedding during iftar and sehar timings during the holy month of Ramzan across the country.

"If people follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the prescribed safety precautions during the holy month of Ramzan, then it will allow business and other activities to move slowly towards normalization. However, Allah forbid, if we show irresponsibility, then we may have to impose more restrictions after Eid," he said.

The minister said that generally, Pakistanis had made a lot of changes to their social life during the past month ever since the lockdown was imposed. He said that the government was trying to predict what this infection's spread would be, through consultations with scientists and experts.

He said that almost half of the money allocated for Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme had been distributed among the underprivileged. The relief scheme would continue throughout the holy month of Ramzan, he added.

BR Lahore correspondent adds: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Friday said that a decision has been taken to extend the lockdown in Punjab till May 9 as it is imperative to stop the spread of coronavirus.

In a statement, the CM said however permission has been granted to open the milk and yoghurt shops, karyana stores, tandoors and bakeries during sehri from 2 am to 4 pm. However, collective sehri and Iftar feasts will be banned during Ramazan, he added.