Provinces agree to reopen construction sector: Hammad Azhar

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Division Hammad Azhar has said that all provinces showed agreement to reopen construction sector amid coronavirus lockdown.

Hammad Azhar, while addressing a joint press conference alongside Prime Minister Imran Khan, special advisers and ministers after attending National Coordination Committee (NCC) meeting, said that provinces were consulted for the resumption of activities of the construction sector and the country has unanimously decided to reopen it.

Azhar said media, banks, relief organisations, grocery stores, petrol pumps were already operating and their supply chain will continue. He said low risk industries were identified on the instructions of the prime minister.

Hammad Azhar elaborated some other units as well during the COVID-19 lockdown which has been extended to two weeks. Chemicals manufacturing plants, e-commerce for exports and necessary local delivery items, software development and programming firms, paper and packaging units, industries with labour available on the premises, fertiliser plants, mines and minerals industries, dry cleaners and dhobis, glass manufacturing, veterinary services, cement plants, nurseries, machinery-making units and book and stationery stores will be exempted.

“The trade of instrument manufacturers and some other industries will also be reopened in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs). Veterinary hospitals and book shops will be reopened as well.”

“However, provinces have not shown agreement on some points as the federal government wants to allow daily wagers like electricians, plumbers and others to resume their routine work. Punjab government has shown support to recommendation placed by the federal government.”

The federal minister added that construction activities will be resumed in different phases as the cement and brick industries will be reopened across the country. The government of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) suggested reopening the government projects first.

Azhar said that the federal government will review the measures before the commencement of Ramadan month.

In view of rising cases of novel coronavirus cases in the country, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced to extend the ongoing country-wide lockdown for another two weeks.