ISLAMABAD: Federal Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar has announced that the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) will cease its operations from tomorrow, marking its last operational day today. Umar tweeted on Thursday morning that the “baton will now be passed on to health ministry”.
He said that chairing the NCOC was the greatest privilege and honour of his life. The NCOC has been the Covid-watchdog in the country ever since the onset of the pandemic. Pakistan’s response to Covid-19 has been one of the best, even acknowledged by the World Health Organisation.
Today is last day of NCOC operation. With covid indicators at all time lows & high level of vaccination, baton now being passed on to health ministry. Chairing NCOC during last 2 years & working with the most dedicated team has been the greatest privilege and honour of my life.
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) March 31, 2022
He said that Pakistan was able to overcome the unprecedented challenge by the grace and mercy of Almighty ALLAH.
With Allah's mercy & support of the entire nation, we have been able to overcome this unprecedented challenge. Makes me immensely proud as a Pakistani that Pak recieved praise for it's covid response as one of the most successful in the world from global agencies & personalities
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) March 31, 2022
Meanwhile, 244 people tested positive of the total 29,625 tests conducted in the country during the past day. Six deaths were also reported, with the positivity rate hovering at 0.82 per cent. The number of patients on critical care stands at 439 in the country at the moment.