PM launches vaccination campaign against the Covid-19

ISLAMABAD, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday launched vaccination against the deadly coronavirus, initially for health workers, and urged the people to strictly adhere to the Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to stop its spread.

After witnessing the administration of Covid-19 vaccine to health workers here, the prime minister said in the first phase, health workers, who were on the front-line in the fight against coronavirus, as well as those vulnerable due to age, would be vaccinated.

He appreciated China for providing 0.5 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to Pakistan. Which, he assured, would be judiciously distributed across all the provinces.

The prime minister urged the health workers to essentially get them vaccinated as per the international practice.

Imran Khan said though the coronavirus in Pakistan was subsiding with the grace of Allah Almighty, the people, however, should continue to take precautionary measures and follow the SOPs, including the use of face masks.

He said contrary to various countries, including the Unites States and United Kingdom, where around 400,000 and 100,000 people, respectively, lost their lives to the Covid-19 and their economies badly affected due to lock-downs, the economy in Pakistan, except the services sector, was open and moving ahead.

“We have already opened schools and will be opening the hostels as well. Coronavirus cases are on the decline. But we have to continue to follow the SOPs,” he maintained.

A meeting of the Federal Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan discusses the overall political and economic situation of the country. The meeting will also review arrangements made to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on Friday. Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, chaired a weekly meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) today. Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam, SAPM on Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood, Provincial Chief Secretaries, Secretary M/o Industries & Production, Secretary M/o National Food Security and Research, Additional Secretary M/o Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Chairman FBR, Member CCP, Member PBS, MD USC, MD PASSCO, Member National Accounts PBS and senior officers of the Finance Division participated in the meeting. The National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) reviewed the price trend of essential commodities especially wheat flour, eggs, chicken, sugar and edible oil during the last week. Finance Secretary outlined the significant decline in year-on-year CPI to 5.7% in January 2021 as compared to 14.6% in January last year. The NPMC lauded the efforts of the concerned Ministries / Departments and Provincial governments for vigilant monitoring of the prices of essential commodities and urged to continue the momentum to provide maximum relief to the general public. The Finance Minister reiterated the firm commitment of the Government to ensure provision of essential commodities at affordable prices across the board. The Secretary, M/o NFS&R updated NPMC about the current status of wheat stocks. The wheat stock position is sufficient for the domestic consumption and average per day release by the Provinces is also stable. The NPMC directed the Provincial governments to keep close watch on the prices of wheat and sugar in the market to avoid hoarding, black marketing and smuggling to ensure uninterrupted supply at affordable prices. The Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Production updated NPMC about the fluctuation in international prices of Palm and Soyabean oils which in turn, drives the prices of edible oil in the domestic market. The Ministry is closely monitoring the situation to minimize its impact on domestic prices, he stated. The Secretary further apprised NPMC that arrangements are underway to import sugar which will ensure its smooth supply in the domestic market. There would be increased production of sugar during the current crushing season as per latest estimates, he added. The Finance Minister directed M/o Industries and Production to continuously monitor stocks of sugar, its supply position and prices in the market.