ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that the lockdown will be lifted in phases starting from Saturday, May 9.
Addressing the nation after a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC), the prime minister said the decision has been taken in consultation with all the provinces to ease out people’s lives.
PM Imran Khan said labourers, ordinary people, and small businesses had suffered a lot due to lockdown, which prompted the government to ease the curbs. He said 35 percent of revenue collection has decreased, while exports have also come down.
He said the government has already opened the construction sector and from today and is going to open various sectors relating to the construction industry.
The prime minister appealed the people to observe self-discipline and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent the spread of coronavirus pandemic when lockdown restrictions are eased. He said the government will reimpose lockdown if coronavirus cases increase beyond limits.
PM Imran Khan said there was lack of consensus on the opening of public transport. He said there was a disagreement among provinces over this matter and it will not be reopened.
“I believe public transport should be reopened because it is the common man’s mode of transport but the provinces have reservations. We do not want to take decisions unless there is unanimity,” he said.
He urged people to take responsibility, saying that the success of the next phase depends on following safety precautions and instructions issued by the government.
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