Pakistan PM Imran Khan finally issues direct anti-Covid appeal; tells people 'stay inside'

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday urged people of Pakistan to show "self-discipline" and refrain from going outside to stem spread of vel coronavirus, which has killed nearly 170 and infected 8,516 people in country. Prime Minister Khan's remarks came days after he cautioned that Pakistan may see an increase in number of coronavirus cases from mid-May and healthcare system could come under significant pressure.

"My mess for people is to stay home as much as possible during this pandemic. more people show self-discipline, easier it will be for us to man COVID-19 plus ease lockdown gradually," he said in a tweet.

According to health officials, Punjab has registered 3,822 COVID-19 cases, while 2,544 infections have been reported in Sindh, 1,235 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 432 in Balochistan, 263 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 171 in Islamabad and 49 in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. A total of 168 people have died from disease in Pakistan. Ministry of National Health Services has t updated its data so far.

As number of cases continue to rise, Planning Minister Asad Umar chaired National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) meeting on late Sunday on how virus can be controlled by creating awareness amon people. He said best way to tackle pandemic was to practise social distancing and follow or policy measures such as t going out of home without an emergency.

NCOC prepared a 48-day strategy, which has pre-Ramzan, Ramzan, and post-Ramazn components, all of which aim at educating and informing public about potential risks, advocating adherence to social distancing practices and or containment measures, preparing people for observance during holy month under special circumstances, and ultimately preventing spread of disease, Dawn newspaper reported.

NCOC's campaign, which has already gone into execution phase over past couple of days, is titled "Zindagi Rawan, Zara Fasla Mehrban". NCOC had earlier recommended targeted lockdown and easing of restrictions. Prime Minister Khan on Tuesday anunced reopening of 'low-risk industries'. restrictions on religious congregations was maintained.

coronavirus outbreak is likely to create a constitutional crisis as lawmakers have to decide how National Assembly's budget session would be held. session is held in May and June to anunce annual budget before end of financial year on June 30.

Earlier, Parliament House building was closed for three days (Friday to Sunday) as a precautionary measure after two staff members contracted virus. Globally, 165,238 people have died and over 2.4 million have been infected by coronavirus, according to data maintained by Johns Hopkins University.