Karachi: Governor Sindh Imran Ismail Thursday visited Quaid-e-Azam International Airport Karachi to inspect screening arrangements for travelers coming from various countries.
National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) Disinfection team leader Dr. Asim Mehmood Khan briefed Governor about the screening arrangements and precautionary measures made at the Airport.
Governor Sindh appreciated the screening protocol being adopted for passengers entering Karachi. Members of Provincial Assembly of Sindh Haleem Adil Shaikh and Khurram Sherzaman were also present on the occasion.
Governor Sindh while talking to mediamen after inspecting the arrangements said that Pakistan can’t afford a lockdown as large number of people earns their livelihood on daily basis. Federal government is fully aware of the situation and no suggestion of lockdown is being considered at Federal level, he added.
He said that Prime Minister Pakistan Imran Khan knows the severity of the matter and he is continuously monitoring the situation. He has visited Dera Ghazi Khan and other places where infected people were kept in quarantine for their recovery, Governor Sindh added.
He said that it was a natural calamity which required unity and coordinated efforts. If any patient is quarantined for 14 days it was in his own interest as well as his relatives and other citizens, he added.
He said that by adopting precautionary measures such as avoiding crowded places, handshakes and remaining inside in case of any symptom of the virus, it could be averted. By observing simple precautionary measures we can save not only ourselves but also our younger generations, he remarked.
Governor Sindh said that we should not panic and stay together to face this pandemic with our unity. Refuting the impression that Federal government was not paying any heed towards Sindh, Imran Ismail said that there was no truth in such baseless propaganda. Federal Government has provided 1500 test kits to Sindh Government and health institutions of the province while 200 test machines and thousands of masks would soon be provided to the province by NDMA, he added.
He said that it was not the time for blame game and we all must act as a team. Federal and provincial governments are in the same team for eradication of this virus, he observed. Governor Sindh said that he had requested Prime Minister and National Security Council to close marriage and cinema halls, which was done.
Police must take action against those who are holding large gatherings on roadside and in their houses, he added on a question regarding non-compliance of ban on large gatherings.
He asked media to point out such violations to the administration and Sindh Government so that action against the violators can be initiated. The role of media in educating masses about the precautionary measures, creating awareness was of immense importance and it should act accordingly, he requested.
Governor Sindh said that it should also highlight steps being taken by the Government in this regard. NDMA has been acting proactively for combating this natural calamity and he was constant in contact with its chairman. He said after sanitizing Karachi Airport, City and Cantt railway station would also be sanitized.