PML-N’s party meeting: Govt’s relief amount distribution method dangerous, says Shahbaz

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and opposition leader in the National Assembly, Shahbaz Sharif, has lambasted the government over its failure to devise a proper mechanism to distribute relief amount among the poor people.

He said this while chairing a party meeting through video-link to review the relief and welfare work amid coronavirus pandemic here on Saturday.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, party’s provincial presidents, general secretaries and other party leaders.

Shahbaz said that political gimmicks such as Tiger Force must end now and the government should chalk out proper planning to formulate a system for fair distribution of relief amount among people with proper precautions to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

He said dignity of people should also be protected during the relief provision process.

He expressed his grief over the demise of a woman in Multan, who had come at the relief distribution centre to collect the money. He said the current system of distribution of money among people was extremely dangerous and may cause spread of virus among people. He stressed restoring the local bodies system to ensure provision of relief to people at their doorsteps. He paid tribute to doctors and medical staff for providing treatment to the Covid-19 patients and fighting as frontline soldiers in the fight against coronavirus.

He said the party had distributed lakhs of protective kits among doctors, nurses, security forces on the instructions of Nawaz Sharif. “We, as a nation, can fight together and defeat coronavirus pandemic and scourge of hunger in the country,” he added.

Shahbaz said that the PML-N had held consultations with experts in all sectors including medical, agriculture, economic sectors as well as political parties to prepare recommendations and presented those to the government to take an action. “The history will always bear witness to it that we always provided necessary guidance to the government to help the people in these difficult times in their lives,” he added.

He also appreciated AJK PM Raja Farooq Haider and GB Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman for their urgent measures for protection and relief of people during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Earlier, at the beginning of the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif and all senior party leaders expressed their grief over the sad demise of three party stalwarts including Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, former MNA and Senator from Jhelum Raja Muhammad Afzal Khan and former Secretary General Saranjam Khan and paid tribute to their services for the party and democracy in the country. They offered Fateha and prayed that may Allah rest their souls in peace and grant patience to their families.