PM directs timely finalization of SOPs for Eidul Azha with provinces on board.

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday directed timely finalization of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in consultation with the provincial governments for the upcoming of Eidul Azha as the country expects peak of the coronavirus cases in late July.

Chairing a meeting to review the coronavirus situation, he said since the Eidul Azha would be celebrated amid extraordinary situation of pandemic, therefore, the required proper measures should in place to avert rise in infections.

The meeting discussed availability of oxygenated beds at hospitals, demand and supply of oxygen cylinders, implementation of smart lockdown in big cities and the SOPs regarding the Eidul Azha.

The prime minister was given a briefing on the progress on increasing number of beds for COVID-19 patients at hospitals in all the four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.

- National Disaster Management Authority Chairman Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal told the meeting that arrangements had been made to ensure availability of 2,150 beds across the country by mid-July.

He also gave an update about the progress on the demands made by the hospitals of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and Islamabad Capital Territory.

Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar apprised the prime minister of the measures taken for meeting the demand of...