PM for effective enforcement of decisions to contain coronavirus

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday emphasized the need to render untiring efforts for effective enforcement of the decisions through the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) to contain the outbreak of coronavirus across the country.

The prime minister expressed these views during a visit to the National Command and Operation Centre for COVID-19 here. He appreciated the establishment of the National Command and Operation Centre and progress made by it so far.

Imran Khan stressed to prioritise the efforts and enforce the decisions of the NCOC through regular and timely meetings under the leadership of Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar. He warned that hoarders and smugglers will be made an example.

The premier reiterated that there must be no compromise on availability of essential food items and sustainability of supply lines throughout the country.

Asad Umar and Major General Asif Mehmood Goraya, DG Operations and Planning NCOC, gave briefing about the latest situation of COVID-19, measures taken thus far and future course of action for containment efforts against COVID-19 during the visit.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was present during the visit. Asad Umar, Minister for Economic Affairs Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Minister for National Food Security Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, SAPM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, SAPM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, SAPM on National Security Dr Moeed Yousaf and senior civil and military officials were present during the briefing.

The NCOC is a nerve centre to synergise and articulate unified national effort against COVID-19, and to implement the decisions of National Coordination Committee. The centre is one window operation to collate, analyse and process information based on digital input and human intelligence across Pakistan through all provinces, AJK, GB & ICT dedicated representatives and centres. Recommendations based on information/data is then processed including health, finance, and all matters related to COVID-19 to NCC for real time projections and timely interventions by NCC headed by the prime minister.

The prime minister directed the NCOC to focus on health management, financial impact, socio-economic and food security, strategic communication and awareness while suggesting the calibrated and measured response paradigm with the evolving scenario in the wake of COVID-19.

Imran Khan while appreciating the establishment of the NCOC and progress made by it so far, said that we need to render untiring efforts for effective enforcement of the decisions through NCOC to contain the outbreak of COVID-19 across the country.