Govt welcomes Supreme Court’s decision on coronavirus

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Senator Shibli Faraz said that the federal government has welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court in the Coronavirus suo  motu notice case.

During a press conference in Islamabad, Shibli Faraz said, “The government has adopted an effective strategy to deal with the situation caused by the coronavirus, to help the poor and the working class of the country and to restore economic activity. The measures are aimed at creating convenience for the people, balancing the situation created by the Coronavirus pandemic and economic activities and the current measures are a continuation of the strategy adopted by the Prime Minister.”

He said that trains have been allowed to run from May 20 and Railway Divisional Headquarters has been given the responsibility of implementing Standard Procedures (SOPs).

He said that government has allowed  the reopening of shopping malls and businesses in big cities and industries will also work to facilitate the business class. Industries will be allowed to operate even during the Eid holidays.

Shibli Faraz said that these measures are mainly to create balance, we do not know how long the coronavirus will last, Pakistan is a poor country and the lives of the people are as important to us as economic activities, lockdown policy may not last long.

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan in particular emphasized that the time has come to give the health sector the importance it deserves because only a healthy nation can move forward in the journey of development. He directed that health reforms be expedited as the pandemic situation told us that the health system should be further improved and we should be ready for the future.

The Federal Minister of Information warned that the Coronavirus is not over, it exists and no one knows how long it will last, so the people should not think that the shops are opening and the trains are running, then the situation has improved. We must be cautious, we must prove to be a responsible nation that wants to deal with this situation together.

While talking about the Supreme court’s decision, Shibli Faraz said, “The government’s strategy was right from day one but the opposition is politicizing the issue of Coronavirus.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Supreme Court had quashed the decision of the government to close markets and business activities on Saturdays and Sundays and also directed to open shopping malls across the country.

The court said that the order to close business for two days was a violation of Articles 4, 18 and 25 of the Constitution.

The written order later said that if businesses and industries remained closed for a long time, their resumption would be doubtful.

The court said that if businesses and industries were not restored, millions of workers would be on the streets and it would be impossible for the government to deal with such a catastrophe.

CJP Gulzar Ahmed also ordered commissioner Karachi and additional advocate general Sindh not to seal any market even if they flout to obey the SOPs.

“Instead of scaring them make them understand,” remarked the CJP, after the commissioner told the court that some markets were sealed for violating SOPs.

The court also ordered that small markets should be allowed to remain open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Earlier today, authorities in Karachi reopen the markets which were sealed previous week after traders flouted to implement on the SOPs announced by the government to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

Deputy commissioner for Karachi’s District South issued orders to reopen the markets sealed in the city’s Saddar area.

Meanwhile, an assistant commissioner also reopened Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road which was sealed for violation of SOPs by the shopkeepers.

Earlier, failing to follow Standard operating procedures (SOPs) provided by the Sindh Government to curb the spread of coronavirus, Zainab Market, Victoria Market and the International Market were sealed on Wednesday.

As per details, the action was taken when the Saddar assistant commissioner was out on a round to monitor the markets in Saddar area.

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