PML-N wants country-wide lockdown, says Shahbaz

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) has formally recommended the federal government to impose a countrywide lockdown to contain the spread of corona virus.

The recommendation was unanimously agreed upon during a party meeting chaired by PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif through a video-link here in Lahore.

The recommendation came at a time when Sindh has already imposed a lockdown to prevent the spread of corona virus, while the federal government and the three other provinces are reluctant to go for a country-wide shutdown amidst fears of economic repercussions on daily-wagers.

“On the basis of my meetings with public health experts, party leaders and public feedback, I am of the considered opinion that it has become essential that the government imposes a lockdown to contain Covid-19,” Shahbaz Sharif said in a late night development after culmination of a round of party meetings.

“Any further delay in taking this vital decision has serious implications,” warned the opposition leader in the National Assembly.

Initially, Shahbaz Sharif said, a criminal negligence was committed by the federal government during the screening and handling of pilgrims coming from Iran. “The whole country is bearing the consequences of this failure,” he said, adding “we’ll make sure that the interests and lives of people are given foremost priority at every cost.”

Earlier, Shahbaz Sharif held a preliminary conference call with experts to assess current situation and later convened another meeting of senior party leaders through a video-link on Sunday night to decide on the PML-N role in the crisis. He also sought public feedback through social media prior to the meetings, which according to him, would be helpful to gauge the situation in their respective areas. Shahbaz also formed four separate teams to assess the economic, health, media and political situation, which have been tasked to come up with pragmatic recommendations by Tuesday (tomorrow). In order to assess the situation arising out of spread of corona virus, he formed a party health taskforce to formulate recommendations for monitoring coronavirus and provision of all possible assistance to the people for prevention and containment of the spread of coronavirus. Former federal health minister Saira Afzal Tarar, Punjab health minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, Ayesha Raza Farooq and Attaullah Tarar are included in the committee, while Marriyum Aurangzeb will do media coordination with regard to the health committee.

A parliamentary advisory group has also been formed comprising party’s vice-presidents and senior leaders. PML-N MNA Shaza Fatima Khawaja will serve as secretary to both the committees.

Shahbaz Sharif has asked the government to use Sharif group’s hospitals to be used as quarantine centres. “Ittefaq Hospital and all other hospitals of Sharif group will be at government’s disposal for provision of facilities to prevent coronavirus among the people,” he announced during the meeting.

PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif put himself in self-quarantine as returned to Pakistan on Sunday morning after remaining in the United Kingdom for over four months.

Speaking to the media while wearing a face mask on his arrival in Pakistan, Shahbaz said, “I was in London to be with my brother [former prime minister Nawaz Sharif] for his medical treatment.

“The doctor that was supposed to treat my brother was on holiday, but he has now returned and will give an appointment for my brother’s heart procedure soon.

“The country is going through a tough time at the moment. That is why my brother and I decided it would be best for me to return before all international flights were banned. We will fight this [virus] together,” he said.

Announcing his return to the country on Twitter, Shahbaz urged citizens to practice social distancing and to self-isolate if possible. “Just landed in Islamabad — maintain a distance from one another and try to stay at your homes so that none of us are forced to part with our loved ones due to this virus. Love you all!”