Govt wasted time on thinking amid corona outbreak: Shahbaz

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Shairf on Sunday said that the government wasted the precious time on thinking amid coronavirus outbreak.He said that there is no doubt that the whole nation and country is passing through the most difficult challenge.

Addressing a video link conference of party leaders from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the leader of the opposition said that the federal government wasted precious time in just thinking adding that number of coronavirus cases have already been increased in Punjab.

“No doubt whole nation is facing the toughest challenge but these difficulties are not new for nations, he said adding, “We can pass through such time with the help of God, effective strategy, timely and brave decisions.

He appreciated the AJK and GB governments for taking steps timely despite shortage of resources adding that imposing a lockdown quickly in the regions proved effective to curtail spread of the pandemic. He urged the government to give special attention to patients in Gilgit-Baltistan.

He also thanked Chinese government for helping Pakistan by giving ventilators, testing kits, masks and other equipment.

He said that China has proved that it is sincere and sympathetic friend of Pakistan.

Shahbaz Sharif said, “We have presented the national strategy to government adding that by following this strategy the situation could be overcome.” He said that federal government is not helping Gilgit-Baltistan in testing hundreds of coronavirus suspected patients adding that the deaths are occurring for not taking timely steps and the nation will hold prime minister responsible for it. He said that the federal government should not play with the lives of the people and should immediately help provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Shahbaz Sharif said, “We will not leave provincial governments, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan people alone and face this difficulty through unity, solidarity and resolve of cooperation.”

Shahbaz Sharif said, “We have taken steps for provision of protective dress and other equipment for doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff and we have stressed upon government to provide the protective dress and other required equipment to doctors, nurses and paramedical staff. He said, “For winning war against coronavirus, we will have to ensure the protection of doctors and paramedical staff.”

Shahbaz Sharif also delivered solidarity message of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for the people of Azad Kashmir and GB. Nawaz Sharif expressed well wishes for the people of Kashmir. Nawaz Sharif said that he is worried about all Pakistanis including people of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Nawaz Sharif said that the people of Pakistan, Azad Kashmir and GB should face this epidemic with unity.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan, GB Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry, PML-N Parliamentary Party Leader in National Assembly Khawaja Muhammad Asif, PML-N Spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb and other party leaders.

Meanwhile, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif said that the government needs to widen the scope of testing. “We should be able to test every person and for this we will need a concrete action plan,” said Shahbaz Sharif in a statement on Sunday.

He demanded that the test be made available for free and coronavirus patients in hospitals must immediately be kept in separate facilities.