Prime Minister Imran Khan on August 28 has expressed satisfaction on the efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 and rehabilitation of those infected with the virus.

PM Imran Khan chaired a meeting of National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) in Islamabad. He acknowledged the effective coordination among the medical staff and their devised strategies that made sure the recovery in the number of cases and helped minimise the spread.

The PM also lauded law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and provincial governments, alongside the relevant authorities for making joint efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic and steered Pakistan out of its dangers. He, however, admitted that the pandemic threat still hovers for which the government required the people to cooperate. He stressed that precautionary measures are to be strictly observed amid Muharram events and processions to ascertain the spread is not hiked.

Imran Khan thanked the scholars and religious leaders for their contributions.

The premier also directed finalising all arrangements for reopening educational institutions in consultation with provincial governments, administration and other relevant authorities. He said that the final decision could be taken in the meeting scheduled on September 7 regarding the educational institutions. The participants of the meeting decided to review health protocols for domestic air travellers after witnessing a decline in COVID-19 cases.

The NCOC had been formed in early April by the federal government to fight the pandemic and the damages that were to entail.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on August 28 directed finalization of recommendations in consultation with provincial governments and administrations of educational institutions, ahead of a September 7 meeting that would take decision about reopening of schools from Sept 15.

The prime minister was chairing a meeting of the National Coordination Committee on COVID-19 that discussed the roadmap on resumption of academic activities in view of the improving situation in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, and the precautionary measures needed to be taken at the educational institutions.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers; Asad Umar, Shafqat Mehmood, Ghulam Sawar Khan, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Mohammad Hammad Azhar, Syed Fakhar Imam, Advisers including Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Abdul Razak Dawood, Special Assistants Dr Sania Nishtar, Dr Faisal Sultan, Lt General (Retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa, Dr Moeed Yousaf, Chairman NDMA and other senior officials. Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Farooq Haider Khan, provincial chief ministers also attended the meeting through video link.

The meeting deliberated at length on measures needed to be adopted during Muharram, restoration of academic activities in educational institutions, testing, tracking and quarantine strategy. The meeting also took into account the steps required for opening up of the tourism sector, policy of testing, micro smart lockdown and the aviation sector.It was decided to review the health protocols being adopted for the domestic flights.

Minister for Planning Asad Umar gave a detailed briefing on the overall situation related to the coronovirus and presented a comparative analysis of the situation in Pakistan in relation to the countries of the region.

The meeting was informed that the government's response towards the pandemic was recognized internationally and significant improvement in situation was witnessed owing to blessings of Allah Almighty and the strategy adopted, contrary to the situation in the neighbouring countries. The meeting was told that the number of positive COVID-19 cases has significantly declined in the country.

The meeting was also given a briefing on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) put in place during Muharram processions and majalis.

The prime minister lauded the contribution of all those related to the medical professionals in the fight against COVID-19, the role of NCOC, law enforcement agencies, provincial governments and other relevant departments.He said effective coordination and comprehensive strategy helped the country succeed against the pandemic.

He however cautioned that the threat of the virus was not over and urged upon the general public to continue compliance of SOPs.

For Muharram, the prime minister stressed the need to adopt precautionary measures, including wearing of face masks.

He thanked the religious scholars from all sects for their understanding of the seriousness of the situation and their role in raising awareness amongst the people.

The prime minister said he had assured the Chief Minister Sindh of full support of the federal government in mitigating the sufferings of the people of the province, particularly Karachi, in the wake of heavy rains and inundation of large areas of the city.

He said he would be visiting Karachi in next few days and would personally oversee the progress on the relief measures.

Moreover, Prime Minister Imran Khan said a comprehensive plan was in the making to address the major civic issues confronting Karachi including sewerage, sanitation and clean drinking water.

The Prime Minister said directives had been issued to all federal departments to provide immediate relief to the people of Karachi affected by the heavy rainfall and urban flooding.

Chairing a meeting here to review progress on development projects of the port city, he said the government was cognizant of the problems of the people of Sindh, particularly of Karachi and would play its effective role in mitigating their sufferings. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Asad Umar and Murad Saeed and senior government officials. Governor Sindh Imran Ismail joined from Karachi through video-link and briefed the Prime Minister over the rescue and relief measures in the wake of unprecedented rain in the province.

The Prime Minister said comprehensive plan, aimed at resolving civic issues of the big cities, was being devised in consultation with all stakeholders.

Imran Khan said in his telephonic talk with Chief Minister Sindh, he assured that the federal government would extend every possible assistance to the province in overcoming the challenges.

The Prime Minister said Karachi was one of the most important cities of the country and vowed to use all resources to address its lingering issues.