Awan says lockdown option available, hails MQM’s return to cabinet

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan conceded that Prime Minister Imran Khan had not ‘ruled out the option of complete lockdown’, if masses did not adopt precautionary steps in relation to prevention from the coronavirus.

In tweets, she said the prime minister spoke about the fact-based challenges and issues with regards to the lockdown option. Dr Firdous contended that if the public did not show responsibility, then the option of the lockdown was there and could be used.

The prime minister, she noted, again had sought the public cooperation to combat the virus but there was no glimpse of such cooperation so far. “We make an appeal to people to cooperate, as the government has the resolve to ensure their safety and protection. Right now the challenge is to create realisation among people about the pandemic and to deal with this challenge, the media cooperation is of utmost importance,” she noted.

She emphasised that each and every individual would have to play his role and in the given situation, the role of the Ulema was very crucial.

In another tweet, she welcomed the return of MQM-Pakistan to the Federal Cabinet and said that at this difficult juncture, we are all united to fight the challenge of coronavirus. She added that the return of MQM to the cabinet would strengthen the government’s endeavours for the betterment of people of Karachi.