(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the federal government will continue to assist all the provinces cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
He made these remarks during a meeting at Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar, where he was given a detailed briefing about coronavirus situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The prime minister appreciated the provincial government's steps against the pandemic, saying that in the present situation, the focus of government must also be on provision of relief to the weak and poor segments of the society.
Khan directed the provincial governor, the chief minister and relevant ministers to visit the affected areas of the province and ensure the provision of facilities there.
On the occasion, the prime minister was informed that 275 quarantine centres had been established in the province, with the capacity to accommodate 18,000 patients.
Khan was informed that 583 ventilators are available in the province and that this number is further being enhanced.
To cope with the emergency, 639 regular doctors and 1,299 on contract have been recruited.
In addition, 9,000 retired doctors, nurses and paramedical staff have volunteered their services, to be utilised when required.
Four hundred response teams have been established in the province at the official level.
The meeting was informed that coronavirus testing capacity is also being enhanced.
It was informed the chief minister has recently announced a relief package worth Rs32bn.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Khan also visited an Ehsaas ration and cash point in Peshawar, and reviewed arrangements there.
He was briefed by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar about the measures taken by the government for provision of financial assistance to poor in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The prime minister also distributed cash among the destitute under Ehsas Programme.
Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi has asked the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to ensure the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other necessary medical equipment to hospitals.
He was talking to NDMA chairman Lieutenant-General Mohamed Afzal in Islamabad.
Alvi expressed appreciation for the arrangements made by the NDMA to cope with the current coronavirus pandmeic.
Afzal highlighted measures taken by the NDMA to support health sector and medical community by providing them PPEs and medical equipment.
He mentioned that the NDMA has established a database of doctors and nurses and medical equipment for the first time, which would be very helpful for co-ordination purposes in future.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning Mooed Yusuf said that the government will be bringing back as many as 2,000 stranded Pakistanis beginning this week.
'This week laid-off labour in the Gulf, released prisoners, zaireen, and some on time-bound visas and stuck in hotels, including many on government expense, will be returning, he said.
'We will continue bringing back stranded Pakistanis during the next week, with approximately 2,000 passengers to return during this period, Yusuf added.
He said that beginning this week, 'multiple airports will begin operating for incoming traffic.
Many Pakistanis were left stranded in different parts of the world as the country closed its airspace for international flights.
The Pakistan International Airlines had also said that it will expand its relief flight operations in a bid to repatriate stranded Pakistanis around the world.
Yusuf also said that stranded passengers are being prioritised among those being brought back, and that the volume of passengers is being decided after taking into account 'our capacity to test and quarantine incoming passengers to ensure the public's safety.
'All passengers will be tested and quarantined for seven days by the government, and then they will have to observe seven days of self-quarantine, he said.
Yusuf also mentioned that the country's land borders will remain closed, 'with the exception of controlled truck traffic, one-way, to fulfil provision of essential food and medicines to Afghanistan.
He termed the decision 'a gesture of brotherhood and humanitarian aid made after a request from the Aghan government.
'We have already successfully repatriated Afghan citizens who went across from Torkham and Chaman by foot this week. Again, this was a one-time exception in response to Afghan government's request, he added.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced several countries across the globe to close their borders and airspace to curb the spread of this diseases and Pakistan is no exception.
So far, Pakistan has recorded a total of 4,792 confirmed coronavirus cases: 1,214 in Sindh, 2,336 in Punjab, 656 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 220 in Baluchistan, 118 in Islamabad, 215 in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and 33 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Furthermore, the country has reported 71 deaths from the pandemic: 25 in KP, 22 in Sindh, 18 in Punjab, two in Baluchistan, three in GB, and one in Islamabad.
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