Centre opposes Sindh’s move to impose complete lockdown

PM is of the view that the complete lockdown would severely affect the working class and daily wagers: Chaudhry; micro-smart lockdown imposed in 13 coronavirus hotspots in Lahore

In clear opposition to the lockdown enforced in Karachi by the Sindh government, Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday said that the Sindh government would not be allowed to impose a complete lockdown in the province.

Commenting on the Sindh government’s announcement regarding the imposition of the lockdown from Saturday, the information minister said the Supreme Court has ruled that the provinces could not make unilateral decisions in this regard.

Chaudhry said the option of complete lockdown is not available to any province.

“The policy regarding the COVID-19 pandemic was given by the federation, National Command and Control Centre (NCOC), and the provinces are bound to implement it.”

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was of the view that the complete lockdown would severely affect the working class and daily wage earners.

The minister said that under article 151 of the constitution, Pakistan is a single market and Karachi port is the jugular vein of the country. “We cannot allow anyone to take actions that could affect this vein,” he said and added that a complete lockdown could not be permited in the province.

Earlier, authorities imposed a lockdown in the southern Sindh province, including the commercial hub of Karachi and other urban centres, amid an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases.

The lockdown began on Saturday and is set to last until Aug.8, despite opposition from the federal government and the local business community.

Sindh’s Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said on Friday that a sudden rise in virus cases has flooded hospitals in Karachi, the provincial capital. The new surge appears linked to many of the crowd-atracting activities earlier this month during the holiday of Eid Al Adha.

The Sindh provincial government is closing all markets, except for pharmacies, bakeries, gas stations and grocery stores, which still must close by 6pm. All transport between cities is halted and public busses aren’t operating.

Private cars and taxis are limited to two people.

Ongoing examinations at schools and universities are also postponed until ater the lockdown.

Nationwide, Pakistan on Saturday reported 65 deaths and 4,950 new virus cases in the past 24 hours. The South Asian country has reported 1,029,811 confirmed cases and 23,360 virusrelated deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus, the local administration has notified micro smart lockdown in 13 areas of Lahore on the instruction of Punjab government.

The local administration has notified to restrict movement in 13 areas of Lahore till Aug.12. “All markets, offices and restaurants will remain closed in these hotspots of the COVID-19,” according to a notification.

“All government and private offices will remain closed in these areas, while all religious, cultural and private gatherings will be prohibited,” the administration notified.

“The businesses related to the necessities will remain open, while in departmental stores only grocery and pharmacy sections will be opened.”

“Funeral prayers and other essential religious rituals will be allowed,” according to the notification.

“The water, electricity, gas and other utility services will remain open. The call centres will be allowed to work with 50 per cent staff and the banks will remain open with essential staff,” the administration notified.

The federal government is planning to begin COVID-19 vaccination for people aged below 18 in the country as efforts to inoculate the general public are being expedited in wake of the fourth virus wave in the country.

According to sources privy to the decision mulled over by the authorities, a decision in this regard would be made by next week.

“In the first phase, vaccination will be approved for people in the age bracket of 15 and 18 while in the second phase, people aged between 12 and 15 will be inoculated,” they said adding that Nadra has also been consulted on how the process could be facilitated.