Centre consults provinces on resumption of domestic travel.

KARACHI: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Tuesday held consultation with the provincial governments on the issues related to the revival of construction activities and resumption of domestic travel halted due to the coronavirus, testing capacity, and overall media strategy to mobilize the masses for preventing the contagion's spread during the holy month of Ramazan.

The NCOC meeting was chaired by Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar and attended by Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood, Minister for Economic Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister for National Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam, SAPM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, Prime Minister's Focal Person on Covid-19 Dr Faisal Sultan, Minister for Energy and Power Omar Ayub Khan, Minister for Interior Brig (r) Ejaz Shah, National Disaster Management Authority Chairman Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal and NCOC Chief Coordinator Lieutenant General Hamood uz Zaman Khan.

Speaking on the occasion, Asad Umar said it has been decided through the NCOC forum to have uniformity in lifting restrictions from the construction industry. The associated industries in other provinces are facing unfair competition from the KP industry, which has managed sufficient supplies so the latter should halt its units, he added. "The construction industry will be revived under a unanimous policy decision in the second phase as now is the first phase of lifting the restrictions," he added.

Dr Firdous said her ministry has prepared strategic and technical messages for public awareness to contain Covid-19. The PTV, Radio Pakistan and APP (Associated Press of Pakistan) will be the official media portals for disseminating public information messages during Ramazan. She said in a meeting with Council of Islamic Ideology Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz, the procedure for live telecast of Taraweeh prayer has been decided. The prayers will be broadcast at PTV.

Asad Umar suggested that public awareness messages of political leaders including the prime minister, leader of the opposition and others should be recorded and telecast during Ramazan to educate the masses for observing safety guidelines.

Minister for...