Bilawal seeks federal govt’s help to provide testing kits, PPEs

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stressed for national unity in the fight against the coronavirus and said that “today we need unity against the pandemic by forgetting our differences as we do during war or natural disasters,” he said in a video message on the eve of 41st death anniversary of Founding Chairman and first elected Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on Saturday.

Bilawal said every province is looking towards the federation that it will treat them equally and will provide testing kits, protective equipment for doctors and nurses and ventilators for the sick without any discrimination. “We have to fight this disease together and it is not possible without your help,” he said. Bilawal said every year from everywhere from Pakistan the 'Jiyalas' of PPP gather at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh in millions to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. “Today, I have come to Garhi Khuda Baksh alone to offer Fateha because of the coronavirus pandemic as the governments across the world are taking difficult decisions to protect the lives of their people.” Similarly, he said Pakistan is also taking difficult decisions to protect your lives and your health.

The PPP chairman said that he appreciated the wholehearted manner in which the Pakistanis were helping the poor particularly in Sindh. Appealing people to come forward to help those under distress, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said we will not be able to do this job alone. I personally appeal everyone to step forward if you can spare a little from your resources in cash or kind,” he said. I hope the day is not far when with your help, we will come out of this difficult time,” he added. The PPP chairman said Sindh government is also distributing Zakat and working in collaboration with relief organizations and volunteers of different political parties to deliver ration to the poor. He said Sindh government has also taken some decisions in these tough times, to reduce problems of the deserving. He said the Sindh government has issued a notification directing all companies and institutions not to lay-off their employees as well as to pay their salaries.

Advising personal care, he said the most vital thing at the moment is to care for your health and life. “You can do this by limiting yourself to your houses, do not come out unnecessarily, practice social distancing, follow the government and doctors' advice and cooperate with them to save your life and avoid making others sick,” he said. He said we need our doctors and nurses who are on the frontline to fight this disease be less burdened. “This is only possible when the people of Pakistan fight this disease, united with us,” he said.