Bilawal phones British HC, shares information about COVID-19

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari spoke to British High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr Christian Turner in an effort to share information about the coronavirus pandemic, and especially about British-Pakistani victims of the disease.

In a telephonic conversation, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the Sindh government was the first in the country to have taken swift action by closing down educational institutions and subsequently initiating a strict lockdown, after gauging the substantial threat. He also thanked the UK for DFID support to Pakistan in the fight against COVID-19, and appreciated the High Commissioner’s role in facilitating the return of overseas Pakistanis. Dr Christian Turner appreciated the timely efforts taken by the Sindh government, and both stressed the need for global cooperation and coordination, to save human lives from the deadly virus.

Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Saturday said that the federal government must help provinces in the fight against COVID-19.

A meeting of PPP Gilgit-Baltistan was held through video link and chaired by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The leaders who attended the meeting include Syed Mehdi Shah, Amjad Hussain Advocate, Engr. Ismail, Imran Nadeem, Sadia Danish, Jamil Ahmad, Bashir Ahmad Khan, Mohammad Musa and others. They apprised the PPP chairman of insufficient measures and non-serious attitude of federal and GB government while dealing with the COVID-19.

On the instructions of PPP chairman, every member of the GB assembly and ticket holders of PPP have provided ration to the underprivileged in their respected districts. Bilawal Bhutto said that the negligence is criminal because the federal and provincial governments have not yet provided relief to the people and also, PPEs have not been provided to the doctors and paramedical staff who are fighting the COVID-19. “Providing relief to the doctors is the responsibility of the federal government,” he said. Bilawal thanked China for providing timely help to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He asked the government to provide Rs15000 per month to the people of GB because at the moment, they do not need development projects; rather, they need a relief package.

Briefing the media, president PPP Gilgit Baltistan Amjad Hussain Advocate said that the Chief Minister GB Hafeezur Rehman has proved to be incapable of giving any relief to the people and he should resign. “Hafeezur Rehman should divert the development fund to the health sector and provide relief to the people,” he demanded.