Political parties join hands to help fight coronavirus

PESHAWAR: Almost all political parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have mobilized workers to help stem the spread of coronavirus by launching mask-wearing and mask-distributing campaigns in various parts of the province.

All political parties have suspended activities and asked workers to follow government’s instructions and prevention measures to control the Covid-19.

Some politicians have released voice messages and statements on social media.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) head Maulana Fazlur Rahman in his statement on the social media declared the coronavirus as pandemic and advised general people to adopt the safety measures recommended by the World Health Organization and the government.

He asked party workers to cooperate with the district administrations, the Health Department officials and the security forces in their drive against that novel coronavirus. “I also appeal to provide financial assistance to the daily wagers, labourers and other needy people at this critical juncture,” the JUI chief added in his statement.

In a message circulated in WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms, the JUI-F Peshawar district chapter announced to prepare a squad of Ansar-ul-Islam activists to cooperate with district administration in its drive against the virus.

Awami National Party (ANP) General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain has suspended party activities and function till April 5 and asked workers to utilize their strength and energies to fight the coronavirus.

ANP provincial president Aimal Wali Khan in his statement also asked the workers to educate the general people about the threats posed by the Covid-19 and initiate a mask-wearing campaign in the province.

He also endorsed Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s call for a multi-party conference on coronavirus and said that all political parties must unite against this outbreak.

Addressing a news conference in Peshawar the other day, Jamaat-e-Islami provincial head Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan assured full support to the government and Health Department officials in the fight against the coronavirus.

The party also started mask-wearing campaign and distributing masks among the people at subsidized rates. Similarly, the People’s Doctors Forum announced support to the doctors and other staff in hospital and quarantine centres.

In a statement, provincial president of the forum Prof Dr Nisar appreciated the services of young doctors and other medical staff in the fight against the coronavirus. Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao asked the people to stay at home and avoid attending social and political gatherings in a bid to control the spread of the coronavirus. Sherpao also assured the provincial government of support at this critical time.

Similarly, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz also suspended all political activities in the province.

In a statement, the party provincial information secretary Ikhtiar Wali asked workers to adopt safety measures to stop the spread of coronavirus. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan appealed to all political parties, particularly the opposition to support the provincial government’s initiative to check the coronavirus outbreak.