LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has given permission to ply inter-city and inter-district transport for providing relief and creating ease for a common-man in transport sector besides announcing 20 per cent decrease in transport fare.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan government has not only reduced petroleum prices substantially but also taken measure to transfer its benefits to a common man.
He said that 20 percent decrease in transport fares will provide huge relief to the common man. He further maintained that Punjab government has also decided to allow online taxi & transport service to operate, however, public transport and online taxi & transport service will have to ensure the implementation on SOPs evolved in this regard.
The Chief MInister said that wearing masks been made mandatory for the passengers, drivers and conductors. There will be ban for keeping sanitizers in the bases and proper and necessary distance will be maintained between the passengers.
He said that rich people are travelling on their vehicles whereas transport service is closed for the poor which multiplying their difficulties. He said that government, by realizing the difficulties of the common man has decided to open intercity and inter-district transport service and recommendations of Steering Committee has been approved in this regard.
He said that SOPs evolved for maintaining social distance at bus stands will be observed. Buses will be disinfected after reaching their destination from one place to another.
Meanwhile, high level video-link meeting of Cabinet Committee set up to deal with coronavirus was held under the chair of the Chief Minister at CM’s Office, today, which took a number of important decisions. Usman Buzdar said that Punjab government has also decided to open mega shopping malls under SOPs. Power-looms have also been given permission to work, however, Industries department will have to take measures to ensure the implementation on already devised SOPs in this regard.
Punjab government has also decided to allow to start Communal Service in the Churches on Sunday under the SOPs. He said that corona threat is not over yet and we need to be more careful.
He said that government has to safeguard its citizen from corona and from hunger as well. He appealed the citizens to show responsibility. He said that number of corona affected patients in Punjab are 14201 and Punjab government has conducted one lac 58 thousand tests so far. 5953 tests have been conducted during the last 24 hours.
Home quarantine has been allowed in Punjab. Usman Buzdar directed to evolve separate strategy for Jumma-tul-Wada, Youm-e-Qadoos and Eid and final plan should be presented next week in this regard.
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