Punjab CM Buzdar concerned at increase in coronavirus cases in Lahore

LAHORE (92 News) – Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed a grave concern over an increase in the coronavirus cases in Lahore and decided to devise a separate policy to overcome its spread in the provincial metropolis during a meeting at his office on Friday. Corps Commander Lahore Lt Gen Majid Ehsan, GOC 10-Division Maj Gen Aniqur Rehman Malik, DG Rangers Punjab Maj Gen Aamir Majeed, Chief Secretary Jawwad Rafique Malik, IG Police Shoaib Dastagir, ACS (Home), Commissioner Lahore, secretaries of health, food, agriculture and information departments, CCPO Lahore and medical experts. Speaking on the occasion, CM Usman Buzdar stated that the decision of phase-wise easing of lockdown has been made with collective consultation and permission of opening small markets and shops will be allowed later. “The business houses, resuming their activities, will have to ensure compliance of SOPs while Punjab has achieved the daily testing capacity of 6,000,” he said. The CM maintained that public cooperation is essential to defeating the coronavirus and the citizens will have to be socially responsible to remain safe from this pandemic. He appealed to the citizens to avoid going out needlessly, adding that Pak Army has always supported the nation during difficult times. The chief minister said that 2.7 million tons of wheat has been purchased while the Food Department has an overall stock of 2.9 million tons of wheat. Corps Commander Lt Gen Majid Ehsan reiterated the commitment of continuing all-out assistance to the Punjab government and added that army is standing with the people in this hour of trial. He observed that implementation on a separate line of action is necessary keeping in view the prevailing situation of Lahore city. The meeting took a detailed review of anti-coronavirus steps and future roadmap of phase-wise easing of lockdown. It expressed concern over the increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Lahore city. A committee, constituted under ACS (Home), will formulate recommendations in this regard. The meeting decided to utilize every resource to prevent the spread of coronavirus besides reviewing progress made on wheat procurement campaign. It was decided that violation of business-related SOPs will not be tolerated while easing the lockdown and indiscriminate action will be initiated in case of any violation. The meeting also paid tributes to the services of doctors and paramedics.