A meeting presided over by Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat reviewed healthcare and other facilities being provided by the government in wake of coronavirus outbreak.

Top bureaucrats and senior officials concerned attended the meeting that deliberated upon public safety steps, availability of foodstuff, wheat procurement and administrative matters in the province.

The Additional Chief Secretary Home briefed the meeting that after being tested negative for coronavirus as many as 3,355 out of 3,980 pilgrims and 9,117 out of 11,414 preachers have been sent to their homes.

Chief Secretary Jawwad Rafique Malik directed that pilgrims and preachers, including foreigners, whose coronavirus test is negative, be immediately dispatched to their respective areas.

The meeting also reviewed steps being taken to control prices of essential commodities, especially edibles, in the province during Ramazan. The Chief Secretary ordered the Secretary Industries and field officers to expedite crackdown on profiteers and hoarders to provide relief to fasting people.

He said the federal government would be contacted for enhancing the supply of apple, dates and lemon to the province.

The Law Minister said that Punjab would devise a strategy to observe Youm-e-Ali after seeking guideline from the federal government.

IGP Shoaib Dastgir asked all regional and district police officers to focus on Ramazan security, enforcement of lockdown, besides reining in crime so that rule of law could be ensured.