Minister for Planning Asad Umar says the incumbent government is making all out efforts to control the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Talking to a private news channel, he said strict implementation of standard operating procedures and other safety measures would be ensured in all parts of the country.

Expressing dismay over non-cooperative behavior of the masses, especially in the last week of Ramazan, he said the patients infected with virus were rising due to less caring attitude of people in the markets.

Asad Umar said complete lockdown could not be feasible in this poor country. He said the government wants to open business for providing relief to the masses and putting the country on path of speedy progress.

The minister warned that any person found violating the laws in the markets would be treated with iron hands.

NNR/Khokhar