COVID-19: Governor Sarwar dismayed over people’s careless attitude

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has cautioned that the coronavirus pandemic is yet to play havoc, while expressing his dismay over the masses’ irresponsible attitude of coming out on roads and streets in the wake of easing of lockdown.

The governor was speaking at a ceremony of presenting 5,000 personal protection equipment kits and 2,000 face shields for the doctors serving in South Punjab hospitals on Saturday.

Punjab Energy Minister Dr Akhtar Malik, Nishtar Medical College Vice-Chancellor Prof Mustafa Kamal Pasha, MPAs Sabeen Gul, Chaudhry Ansar and others were present on the occasion. The governor warned that it would be disastrous for the nation, if the ulema did not ensure the implementation of agreed upon 20-points in letter and spirit in mosques across the country.

He said the government had allowed opening of mosques for prayers and taraweehs on the assurance of ulema in a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Chaudhry Sarwar said the government was giving Rs12,000 to over two million poor families under the Ehsaas Kifalat Programme without any political discrimination. He said that he in collaboration with the Punjab Development Network was providing ration to some 500,000 poor families. The governor said the whole nation was united in presenting salute to the frontline warriors, including Pakistan Army, Rangers, police and doctors, who are fighting against the spread of coronavirus pandemic day in and day out. “The whole nation is standing with these frontline warriors,” he said.

Meanwhile, talking to the media persons, the governor said the doctors serving in Multan and Bahawalpur divisions were being provided wiht 5,000 personal protective equipment kits and 2,000 face shields in the first phase and assured that the safety gear would be provided to all doctors, where needed, across the province.

The governor also said the government was also collaborating with the philanthropy and social welfare organisations to provide ration to the families whose breadwinners lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic crisis.

The Punjab governor said a number of philanthropists and the business community donated some Rs400 million at a ceremony at Governor’s House and added that overall over Rs3 billion were collected in terms of cash, ration, medical kits and other items. He said ration was being provided to some 500,000 families.

The governor told the media persons that this year no iftaar gatherings would be organised in the Governor’s House to ensure social distancing, which is the sole remedy to stay protected from the coronavirus. He said the money which was to be used on iftaar events would now be used to provide ration to the poor masses.

Acknowledging that Pakistan is undergoing testing times in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, Chaudhry Sarwar expressed his hope that the nation would come out as victorious as it was fighting as per government instructions. The governor said the experiment of setting up telemedicine helpline centres had met success as thousands of people were getting expert medical advice from them while sitting in the comfort of their homes.