The photo has been used for illustrative purposes only.

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will operate 17 special flights between April 4 and 11 to bring back around 2,000 overseas Pakistanis from different countries.

Both decisions were taken at a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC), which was also attended by Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. It was decided that the daily meetings of the NCC would also be attended by the chief secretaries of all provinces through video links.

It was also decided that goods transport movement would be restored to ensure adequate supply of essential food items amid lockdown.

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Besides, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the relevant authorities to resume construction activities while keeping a balance between lockdown requirements and economic activities so that people in limited areas could work.

Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar told reporters that the participants were of the opinion that it was necessary to ensure availability of medicines, edible items, medical services and energy. "People will continue to cooperate with the government as long as they get basic necessities of life.”

He said data showed that some of the measures the government had taken worked. "Our R-naught value, which indicates how many people one contagious person will infect on average, is on the decline. This means that some of the steps we have taken to curb the spread of COVID-19 are working,” he added.

He said it was collectively decided at the NCC meeting to extend restrictions for two more weeks after which the situation would be reviewed, while no province would further intensify the restrictions during this period.

"Considering the problems of overseas Pakistanis it has been decided that the first flight would land at Islamabad International Airport on April 4. All passengers will be sent in quarantine and tested for COVID-19. Those who tested negative will be sent home through special arrangements of transport. Moreover, those Pakistanis will have to stay in self-isolation and there will be a track and trace system in place for them. On April 5, the situation will be reviewed and then other flights will be allowed to land in Pakistan,” he said.

In the second phase, Umar said, Jinnah International Airport, Karachi would also be opened for international flights. However, domestic flight operations would remain suspended, he added.