Trace & track system to be operational on April 25

Pakistan News & Features Services

"Consultations were held with chief secretaries and then health ministers during the meeting of the National Command and Control Centre (NCOC) in Islamabad on April 24. The prime minister has given approval for the implementation of the trace and track system from April 25,” the Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Asad Umar, revealed. 

‘The apex body of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) will oversee the system but the provincial governments, information technology institutions, civil and military organizations will also be involved in the process,” he added. 

"This is a complete national response formed by the government though the provincial governments will be responsible mainly for the implementation of the system,” the minister elaborated.

Lockdown extended till May 9 in Pakistan

Pakistan News & Features Services

Pakistan, battling it out against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, has extended the lockdown until May 9. Earlier it was scheduled to end on April 30.

The announcement in this regard was made by the Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Asad Umar, on April 24. 

The decision to extend the countrywide lockdown till May 9 was taken during a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) meeting held at the National Command and Control Centre (NCOC) in Islamabad earlier in the day. 

The federal minister expressed the hope that if people practiced the prescribed safety precautions during the holy month of Ramadan, beginning on April 25, then it could allow business and other activities to inch towards normalcy. 

"However, God forbid, if we demonstrate irresponsibility, then we may have to impose more restrictions after Eid," he warned. 

He was of the opinion that Pakistanis generally had made a lot of changes to their social life during the past month or so ever the lockdown was imposed.