Coronavirus: Ministries, divisions asked to devise coordinated strategy

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday directed that necessary precautionary measures be taken and a comprehensive and coordinated strategy be formulated to tackle the threat of Coronavirus.

According to a letter sent by the Prime Minister’s Office to various ministries and divisions, the outbreak of Coronavirus was being experienced in China, with more than 2,000 confirmed cases worldwide.

Owing to the presence of a large number of Chinese in Pakistan and frequent traveling between the two countries, spread of Coronavirus in Pakistan can’t not be ruled out if necessary precautionary measures are not put in place.

"In light of the above, the prime minister has desired for immediately convening a federal level inter-ministerial meeting under the chairmanship of Special Assistant to the PM on national health services, regulations and coordination to formulate a comprehensive strategy for tackling the threat," the letter said.

The proposed participants in the inter-ministerial meeting would be foreign secretary, secretary National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, secretary interior, secretary aviation, provincial health secretaries, National Disaster Management Authority chairman, Surgeon General of Pakistan Army, Director General Military Operations, Director General Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) directors general, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Director General, National Institute of Health (NIH) Director General, Airport Security Force (ASF) Director General, Director General China Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and any other secretary/official deemed appropriate by the Ministry of National Health Services.

The outcome of the meeting along with firm recommendations would be furnished to the PMO within one week for perusal/orders of the prime minister, the letter concluded.