Sirajul Haq opens isolation ward at JI-run hospital

LAHORE:Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Senator Siraj-ul-Haq has said that while the whole world, including the rich and poor alike was on the verge of the worst humanitarian disaster of its history due to coronavirus the government was displaying a negative approach on this issue.

The government has thrown down the drain a heaven-sent golden opportunity for creating a historic national unity by bringing all sections of society and the political divide on one page, but sadly the rulers were busy doing politics on corona issue after having displayed negligence and mishandling in prevention and relief works, he said while talking to media and workers after inaugurating an isolation ward in the JI-run Surayya Azeem Welfare Hospital Monday evening.

Siraj said that country did not need PTI Tiger Force but badly needed well-equipped volunteers to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. He said that the rulers should have at least displayed a positive national approach by appointing a non-political figure as head of Tiger Force, besides taking the nation into confidence over the prevention strategy.

He expressed sorrow that not only the opposition parties offered their cooperation to the Prime Minister but the Jamaat-e-Islami also offered all its health resources unconditionally for assisting the relief activities but the government had not responded positively and was trying to make its solo flight on corona prevention strategy.

He alleged that the government had so far failed to provide necessary protective apparatus to the doctors and paramedical workers fighting against coronavirus on the frontlines. He said the Jamaat-e-Islami workers had left all activities and dedicated themselves to providing rations, masks sanitizers and medicines to the poor and needy across the country irrespective of religious and other differences, and sprayed disinfectants in mosques, temples, churches and gurdwaras alike.

He said so far JI’s Al-Khidmat Foundation had spent Rs420 million on these tasks. He expressed concern over the reports that after closure of Iran border at Taftan, the pilgrims from Iran were entering Pakistan from Afghanistan, demanding the government negotiate immediately with Tehran authorities to set up a quarantine centre at Zahedan. He noted that people of Punjab coming back from Karachi and Balochistan were trapped on the border areas, asking the Sindh government to help the stranded people.

He demanded the PM reduce the existing price of petroleum products to Rs40 per litre to provide relief to the people.

He demanded waiving corona test fee and the relief amount be raised to Rs15,000, per family, over charging of basic commodities be stopped, utility bills for next two months be waived off.He appealed to the masses to offer collective and individual repentance before The Almighty to seek His help in averting the crisis.