PM calls for focussed efforts to arrest Covid-19.

Byline: Tahir Niaz

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Imran Khan was on Thursday briefed on the steps taken so far regarding curtailing the spread of COVID-19 across the country.

The briefing was given to him during his visit to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) here. Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was present at the occasion.

Apart from the federal ministers, Prime Minister AJK, Chief Minister Punjab, Chief Minister Sindh, Chief Minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Chief Minister Balochistan and Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan attended the meeting via video link.

According to officials, the Prime Minister was briefed by Federal Minister Asad Umar and Major General Asif Mehmood Goraya, DG Operations and Planning NCOC, on the analysis of patterns of COVID-19 spread, pressure on hospitals, fatalities, and future Projections. The PM was also briefed on the steps taken so far regarding curtailing the spread of COVID-19 across the country, enforcement of SOPs, and strategy regarding the management of disease and implementation of decisions in coordination with all the stakeholders.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the officials that allout efforts must remain focused on controlling the disease spread.

He directed to ensure availability of medicines, oxygen and beds in the hospitals. He urged complete unity amongst entire nation to fight this unusual and ominous challenge.

The Prime Minister directed all Pakistanis to protect the elderly and sick especially those suffering from heart-related diseases and diabetes.

The Prime Minister, while lauding the role of NCOC, said that Pakistan has navigated COVID-19 in a balanced manner. However, he cautioned everyone for utmost care. 'We need a unified and well-coordinated joint national response to fight the disease during the next couple of months; our actions will determine the extent of the crisis and success of our response through consensus,' stated the Prime Minister.

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