Political parties oppose lockdown decision

Rejecting the Sindh governments’ move to impose a lockdown in Karachi, leaders of major political parties on Friday accused the Pakistan Peoples Party-led provincial government of wanting to cause economic damage by shutting down the country's economic hub.

The government has announced the imposition of a lockdown in Karachi and the rest of the province from today (Saturday) until August 8 due to spiraling coronavirus cases.

PTI’s position

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Karachi President and MPA Khurram Sher Zaman, while reacting to the decision of the government, said the lockdown was not in public interest. “The Sindh government is well aware of the lockdown dramas. The Sindh government wants to harm the businesses and working class of the province,” Zaman said in a statement.

He said the government did not take the opposition parties and business community leaders into confidence while taking the decision. “Not including the opinion of the opposition in such important decisions reflects the dictatorial thinking of the Sindh government,” he said.

PTI leader said Asad Umar, head of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), had assured the Sindh government of cooperation and proposed a smart lockdown. “But the Sindh government has never followed the decisions of the federal government.” Zaman said that even in the past, the stoves of people's houses had become cold due to the decision of the Sindh government.