Lockdown may trigger large-scale unemployment in country: PM Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan has feared that lockdown may trigger large-scale unemployment. Addressing the parliamentary leaders meeting via video link on Wednesday, he said that the closure of transport would create shortage of food items. “All political parties will have to make decisions jointly,” he said. He urged political parties to come forward and join forces with the government to reassess the situation. “A complete lockdown will also have a disastrous impact on the construction industry leaving the labour class jobless and we should take care of this.” The prime minister said that any decision taken out of fear and panic will have its repercussions, which should be kept in view before taking any extreme step. “The government is working on raising a volunteer force to enhance response to fight the disease and provide relief to the poor people.” Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto staged a walkout when the prime minister left the meeting without listening to their speeches. Speaking on the occasion, Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza said there are 1,040 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far in the country. “78 per cent cases of COVID-19 have come from Iran and only five per cent of cases were locally transmitted.” NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal said that the government has released Rs 26 billion for acquiring necessary equipment and other things to fight COVID-19. “500 ventilators, injections, masks, and other things will be acquired to meet the needs in wake of the pandemic.” He said about a half million masks, including 50,000 N-95, masks have reached Karachi.