Committee being formed to boost construction sector.

Byline: Syed Irfan Raza

ISLAMABAD -- In order to boost the construction industry and remove hurdles in its way, the federal cabinet on Tuesday decided to form a high-level committee, comprising representatives of the federal and provincial governments, which will make unanimous decisions on a daily basis.

A meeting of the federal cabinet, which was presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan here, authorised all provincial governments to impose smart lockdowns in coronavirus hotspots and decided to take stern action against those who violate the government's SOPs (standard operating procedures).

Although it was expected that the cabinet meeting would decide punitive action against those responsible for the recent shortage of petrol in the country, it was informed that consumption of petrol had increased by 51 per cent in the country.

Even in an official press release, it was not elaborated how petrol consumption in the country had gone up suddenly.

Federal cabinet allows provinces to impose lockdown in coronavirus hotspots

'The cabinet decided to establish a high-level committee, on the pattern of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), in which representatives of the Centre and provinces will make decision on a daily basis on how the construction industry can flourish and how hurdles coming in its way can be removed,' said Information Minister Shibli Faraz at a post-cabinet meeting press conference.

He said the committee was being formed under the Naya Pakistan Housing Authority to find on a fast track solution to the problems coming in the way of the construction industry.

Talking about the decision on lockdowns, the minister said: 'The cabinet has authorised provinces to impose lockdown in areas where SOPs are not being followed.'

'Those who will not follow preventive measures will be dealt with strictly and heavy fine will be imposed on them,' the minister added.

Meanwhile, a source told Dawn that although the provinces could impose the lockdown in any area, it was decided that any decision regarding Covid-19 would be taken unanimously by the NCOC.

The source said that earlier the NCOC had decided that there would be no lockdown, but now it decided that the provinces could impose it in any area where the virus was rapidly spreading.

Mr Faraz warned that cases of Covid-19 could sharply increase in the country to such an extent that the existing capacity of hospitals and doctors would become inadequate. He quoted Planning and...