Online Conference on “Suggested Measures for Lifting the Lockdown: What can be the Phases”

On 15th April 2020, CGSS organized an “Online conference ” on the topic “Suggested Measures for Lifting the Lockdown: What can be the Phases”. The session aimed to discuss the recommendations that can be fruitful for uplifting the lockdown.
The conference was chaired by Mr Nadeem ul Haq – Vice Chancellor, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). He stated that this is a bigger war than 1965 and 1971 but unfortunately our response has been less than required. We do not have any specialists, we need epidemiologist, virologist and economists to devise a sound strategy with their input.
Air Marshal Saeed Khan (Retd) stated that the Government must come up with certain do’sand don’ts which must be implemented immediately. We need long-term and mid-term policy while prioritizing our health sector. Innovation is required that can be achieved through specialists.
Lieutenant General Masood Aslam (Retd), Member Advisory Board CGSSstated that we must ease the lockdown to continue the economic activities and any reaction from the religious and social activists must be dealt strictly otherwise it will prove to be counterproductive. An unnecessary movement must be controlled while ensuring strict official status.
Other panelists of the session stated that the announcement by the Government regarding the extension of the lockdown on 14th April needs further clarification. It was opined that Government is incrementally opening certain sectors which are interrelated with other business, therefore, connected issues of downstream industries must also be addressed.
A complete lockdown in our society is not possible, therefore Government must opt for smart lockdown approach by devising a 14 days plan keeping in view our organizational capabilities. The lockdown must be lifted in two phases, the first phase requires identification and assessment of red zone and clear zone so that during the second phase, lockdown from the clear zones can be lifted. The use of masks and gloves must be made mandatory by the Government and must opt for mass production of safety gears including masks, gloves and sanitizers which must be distributed amongst the general public. We must also conduct more tests, as currently, we do not have denominators of actual infection rate. There is not much information and data to devise a sound policy. It is about time that civil society must push for occupational health and safety standards in the factories. There is a lack of public obedience in our society, hence Government must strictly ensure the writ of the state.
We need to mobilize our production and reduce our exports. We have to mechanize our supply chain and wheels of the internal market must keep spinning in a controlled manner. People are not in a lockdown instead the businesses are at lockdown, so certain sectors must be opened but with proper digital monitoring, tracking and testing. We are entering the phase of community transmission, we must declare a health emergency. This can become a National Security Risk if proper measures are not adopted.
The Online Interactive Session was attended by 30 participants. The panelists included experts of different fields including the following:
1. Major General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery HI(M), (Retd), President CGSS
2. Major General Farooq Ahmad Khan,(retd), Former DG NDMA
3. Brigadier Mansoor Saeed (Retd), Senior Member Advisory Board CGSS
4. Mr Amir Zafar Durrani, President Reenergia
5. Brigadier Akhtar Nawaz Janjua (Retd), Senior Member Advisory Board CGSS
6. Dr Basharat Hassan Bashir, Specialist, Public Health Engineering & Member Advisory Board CGSS
7. Lieutenant Colonel Ather Sultan (Retd), Logistic Expert
8. Mr. Amir Ghauri, Editor The News International
9. Dr. Samia Altaf, Public Health Specialist
10. Dr. Durre Nayab, Joint Director Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE)
11. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad, Assistant Professor, IR Department University of Sargodha
12. Mr. Tauqeer Ahmad, Member Advisory Board CGSS
13. Mr. Mehmood-ul- Hassan, Member Advisory Board & Regional/Geopolitical Analyst
14. Brigadier Muhammad Aslam (Retd), Member Board of Advisors CGSS
15. Air Marshal Azher Hassan (Retd), Member Board of Advisors CGSS
16. Mr. Shakeel Ramay, Member Board of Advisors CGSS & Director SDPI
17. Air Marshal Saeed khan(retd), Member Board of Advisors CGSS
18. Lieutinent Genaral Masood Aslam (retd), Member Board of Advisors CGSS