LAHORE: The Punjab Chief Minister has directed authorities to initiate the province-wise crackdown against those involved in the sale of coronavirus related medicines at exorbitant rates.

The CM also directed that strict action be initiated against hoarders of said medicines. The administration should initiate action and submit a report to the CM Office and there should be no shortage of such medicines in an emergency situation. The line departments should also ensure availability of necessary medicines at fixed rates and their shortage would not be tolerated at any cost, the CM added.

Talking to MPAs from different districts, the CM said that most affected areas had been sealed to control the spread of coronavirus. The assembly members should monitor implementation of governmental instructions in their areas because public support is essential to overcome the spread of coronavirus, he said.

He expressed the satisfaction that recent restrictions had produced encouraging results. "People should make a habit to observe precautionary measures," the CM maintained and warned that markets and bazaars, failing to observe SOPs, would be closed down.

The CM maintained that the country was going through unusual circumstances due to coronavirus and asked the public representatives to utilise their energies for dealing with it. He regretted that opposition leaders only made tall claims and they were hiding in their houses while leaving the affected people alone in this difficult moment. The opposition parties had weakened the national unity through their negative politics on corona and did nothing except lip-service, he maintained.