Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the nation to stay united and steadfast in fighting the unusual and ominous challenge of the novel coronavirus.
According to details, Prime Minister Imran Khan said this during a meeting while visiting the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) in Islamabad to review the overall situation regarding tCOVID-19
Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was also present at the occasion. Apart from federal ministers, Prime Minister AJ &K, Chief Minister of all four provinces and Gilgit Baltistan attended the meeting via video link.
Prime Minister Prime Minister Imran Khan was briefed by Federal Minister Asad Umar and Major General Asif Mehmood Goraya, DG Operations & 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.
He asked to ensure availability of medicines, oxygen and beds in hospitals.
The prime minister said a unified and well-coordinated joint national response was needed to fight the disease during the next couple of months, the Radio Pakistan reported.
The premier emphasized upon the people to strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to contain the spread of the virus.
PM Imran also urged upon the public to exercise caution in social distancing and protect elderly and sick persons, particularly those suffering from heart-related diseases and diabetes.
He directed the concerned departments to make all out efforts to control the disease besides ensuring availability of medicines, oxygen supplies and beds in hospitals.
Lauding the role of the NCOC, PM Imran said Pakistan braved the challenge of COVID-19 in a balanced manner while keeping in view several related factors.
He said that media has performed with responsibility and stressed that any tendency to sensationalize the situation must be self-checked by the media.
The participants of the meeting through a consensus expressed the resolve to continue the strategy of balance between life and livelihood.
It was reiterated that while businesses must remain open, strict implementation of SOPs will be ensured through awareness and administrative actions.