Pakistan PM pushes for mandatory vaccination drive on visit to country’s pandemic response center

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks to officials during his visit to country’s pandemic response center, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), in Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 18, 2021. (Photo courtesy: @PTIofficial/Twitter)

• Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa accompanied PM Imran Khan to National Command and Operation Center
• They were apprised of latest situation, measures to contain coronavirus and vaccine administration

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday directed authorities to run a mandatory vaccination drive and enforce measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the country. 
The directives were issued during the prime minister’s visit to Pakistan’s pandemic response body, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), where he was accompanied by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. 
The visit came as Pakistan reported 663 new coronavirus infections on Monday, the lowest in a single day since June, according to the health ministry’s data. Eleven people lost their lives to the virus in the last 24 hours. 
NCOC Director-General Major General Asif Mahmood Goraya briefed the attendees on the current virus situation, measures in place to contain the spread of the infection, and the vaccine administration, including the future COVID-19 management strategy. 
“PM appreciated efforts of NCOC and all federating units for synergized response during pandemic for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the people of Pakistan,” the NCOC said in a statement. 
“PM directed all stakeholders to maximize efforts for mandatory vaccination drive and enforcement of requisite NPIs (non-pharmaceutical interventions or community mitigation strategies).” 
Later, PM Khan presented NCOC memento to Lt. Gen. Hamood Uz Zaman Khan on his retirement as the national coordinator at NCOC for playing an instrumental role in the nation’s fight against COVID-19.