ISLAMABAD: *National Security Committee meeting takes following importantdecisions over the coronavirus pandemic spread.*
National Security Committee (NSC) has made important decisions under itsstrategy to fight coronavirus including closure of educationalinstitutions, borders besides cancellation of mass gatherings and partialsuspension of flight operations.
A meeting of the country’s top civil-military body took place at the PrimeMinister’s House under the chair of PM Imran Khan. The three serviceschiefs, the federal ministers for interior, foreign and law affairs as wellas the education minister were in attendance in the meeting.
The top civil-military brass finalised national strategy to contain furtherspread of COVID-19.
National Coordination Committee
The federal government has constituted a high-level National CoordinationCommittee to carry on joint efforts to fight against coronavirus across thecountry.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said in apress conference that the newly-constituted ‘committee will be comprised offederal ministers and other prominent personalities, whereas, therepresentatives of Surgeon General of Army, DG ISI, ISPR, DG MilitaryOperations.’
He also confirmed that 28 cases of coronavirus have emerged so far inPakistan.
“Members of the committee have been given authority to include anyone inthe committee. Ministry of Health will hold convenorship of thecoordination committee and its meeting will be held on Saturday 4:00 pm.”
“It is necessary for us to take national-level decisions. NDMA [NationalDisaster Management Authority] will play its role as an operational agencyand all further decisions will be made under the supervision of theinstitution.”Closure of western border
Pakistan has sealed its western border with Afghanistan and Iran through anotification in an attempt to contain the spread of novel coronavirus(Covid-19) following the decisions taken by NSC.
The Ministry of Interior wrote a letter to the relevant authorities “toconvey the approval of the Competent Authority for complete sealing of thewestern border of Pakistan with Afghanistan and Iran as directed theNational Security Committee in its meeting held on 13th March 2020.”
[image: NSC decisions coronavirus Pakistan]
The border will remain sealed for an initial period of two weeks (14 days)with effect from March 16 to “prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the bestinterest of all three brotherly countries.”Educational institutions
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The government has decided to keep all educational institutionslink closedacross the country till April 5.
Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood said: “In a meeting of theNational Security Committee presided over PM Imran Khan, it has beendecided to close all educational institutions in the country till April 5.”
“This includes all schools and universities, public and private, vocationalinstitutions and madaris [seminaries].”
linkShafqat Mahmood@Shafqat_Mahmoodlinklink
In a meeting of the National Security Committee presided over PM ImranKhan, it has been decided to close all educational institutions in thecountry till April 5. This includes all schools and universities, publicand private, vocational institutions and madaris.
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Shafqat Mahmood said the situation regarding the closure of all educationalinstitutions in the country would be reviewed by the Ministry of Educationon the March 27 and further decisions will be taken.Partial suspension of int’l flights
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in its statement to media, urgednationals to avoid unnecessarily to foreign destinations. He announced thatinternational flights will only be operated through Karachi, Islamabad andLahore airports.
He said that the virus has not spread widely in Pakistan and askednationals to remain calm and adopt precautionary measures. An awarenesscampaign will be launched across the country, whereas, provinces willremain in close coordination with the Centre.
The foreign minister urged that there is a need to strictly observemovements in border areas and demanded a 15-day closure of all borders. Headded that holding mass gathering will be avoided across the country. Heasked citizens to avoid going to crowded places like wedding halls, cinemasand other public places.Pakistan Day’s event cancelled
The committee has also decided to cancel the March 23’s event for thecommemoration of Pakistan Day.
