Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has announced his government’s plans to help those facing extraordinary difficulties in the wake of nationwide lockdowns as the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — continues to spread.
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Tag: Prime Minister Imran Khan
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Are you kidding us, Khan Sahib?
Coronavirus pandemic has changed the dynamics of the entire world. Self-isolation, a concept most of us are not familiar with, will slowly but surely become necessary in the coming days. As Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau said, “For a little while, this will be our new normal.”
But while Trudeau and very few other world leaders, including New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern, declare war on the pandemic, others, among whom is PM Imran Khan, still don’t appear to be understanding the gravity of the situation at hand.
Four coronavirus patients have died in Pakistan — three in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and one in Sindh. The number of cases is rapidly increasing (645 in less than a month), and if a nationwide lockdown isn’t put in place, it will continue to rise exponentially.
After sticking to his mantra of ‘ghabrana nahi hai [don’t panic]’ for the past few days, the premier does no longer seem very sure if the masses should panic or not.
“Pakistan cannot afford to impose a total lockdown. 25% of the people in the country live below the poverty line,” PM Imran said in his second address to the nation in three days on Sunday. “What will happen to them if I go ahead with the lockdown?”
The premier added that if the economic situation of the country had been like that of Italy and China, he would have thought about imposing a lockdown. “Let me tell you what a lockdown is. A lockdown means putting a curfew and restricting people to their homes with the military on the streets,” he said.
The situation escalated in Italy and China, Khan Sahib, evidently because the authorities didn’t impose a lockdown until it was too late.
Your address to the nation and recent interaction with journalists were not exactly what we had hoped for. We understand you are worried about the poor, the daily wagers, the economy and many other things.
But…
After shutting down as much as the provincial governments already have, after the closure of educational institutions and the bearish trend in PSX amid global sell-out on COVID-19 fears, what further closures would a total lockdown entail?
All international air operations are already closed. Most borders are closed. Wedding halls, shopping malls, restaurants are already shut. Massive unemployment has already been created. Moving towards total lockdown at this stage will presumably have a very little marginal impact.
Is it paralysis of analysis which appears to be the hallmark of decision-making behind closed doors in Islamabad for quite some time now?
In case of a total lockdown, what matters the most is taking care of the neglected segments of society – that they keep on receiving life support cash allowances or food aid. For starters, 50% of the budget of both civil and defence annual development programmes should be placed in a welfare account for such activities.
Welfare… isn’t that what you promised, Khan Sahib?
We know that a lockdown or delaying a lockdown is akin to be caught between a rock and a hard place. We understand that this is an immensely difficult and unforeseen situation but the government must act fast.
Let’s learn from the mistakes made by countries that are the worst-hit by the new coronavirus, and try not to repeat them.
Lockdown does not mean that coronavirus cases will end, but it will definitely flatten the curve. This is what Pakistan needs to do. Our healthcare facilities are not equipped to deal with the impending crisis.
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COVID-19: Doctors accuse govt of providing free test kits to Shaukat Khanum but not public hospitals
As the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — continues to spread in Punjab, Young Doctors’ Association (YDA) has accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government of providing free test kits to Shaukat Khanum Hospital but not public sector hospitals.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, YDA office demanded safety kits for the entire staff of hospitals dealing with suspected coronavirus patients, including doctors, nurses and paramedics, and termed the arrangements made by the government as insufficient.
They said that the safety kits provided to the doctors in hospitals were not according to the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) and they were working under highly vulnerable circumstances. “The N95 masks are not available in the hospitals despite the fact that the staff treating [COVID-19] patients used the same mask in all hospitals worldwide,” the doctors said.
President of YDA Punjab Dr Salman Haseeb Chaudhry said that the isolation wards should be established outside the hospitals according to the guidelines of the WHO. “The isolation wards inside the hospitals are high risk,” he said, adding that there was an urgent need of 4,500 ventilators in hospitals to deal with the pandemic but unfortunately Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid had “failed miserably to deal with it”.
He also accused the government of providing free test kits to Shaukat Khanum Hospital.
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“But public sector hospitals are unable to get the same by the government.”
According to Dr Salman, all doctors, nurses and paramedics were working in very vulnerable circumstances without proper safety kits and Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan would be responsible if any unfortunate incident took place.
Meanwhile, The Express Tribune quoted an official of Shaukat Khanum Hospital as saying that around two dozen citizens approached the hospital for free coronavirus test, of whom the hospital management has conducted tests of eight or nine individuals who had recent travel history, while the remaining citizens were sent back after prescribing medicines.
He said that the hospital had a limited number of coronavirus test kits that cannot be used for every citizen who has doubt of the infection. Responding to a question, he indicated that the government has notified coronavirus test rate of Rs7,900 but it is being conducted free of cost.
A representative of a laboratory disclosed that it also has a coronavirus test facility against payment of Rs7,900 as notified by the government. However, several citizens complained that some private hospitals were charging over Rs9,000 for the same test.
It is pertinent to note that that government has notified 14 laboratories for coronavirus tests, one of which is Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, Lahore.
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CJP slams Imran govt for failing to contain coronavirus at border
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed has criticised the Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan-led federal government for its inability to contain the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — at the border, leading to an outbreak in the country.
The total number of COVID-19 cases stands at 296 in the country with 208 cases in Sindh while Punjab has 28, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 19, Balochistan has 23, Islamabad two, Gilgit-Baltistan 14 and one in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, two patients were confirmed to have died in KP on Wednesday, making them the first cases of death due to the deadly virus in Pakistan.
The CJP was referring to the pilgrim influx from Iran through the Taftan border. Almost half of the Zaireen, who are kept at a largely mismanaged tent city at the border, have tested positive for the virus.
“The coronavirus came from abroad through the airports due to PIA and the government’s incompetence,” remarked CJP. He noted that the coronavirus is now being talked about everywhere in the country.
“If security remains like this, then I do not know what kind of new diseases will be introduced to the country [in the future],” remarked the CJP.
The top judge was also irked by the National Security Committee’s (NSC) request to adjourn civil cases and instruct magistrates and sessions judges to conduct hearings at prisons for three weeks.
He observed that the authorities had not made arrangements to minimise the risk instead asked the judges to suspend judicial work.
The CJP made the remarks while hearing a plea filed by Air Marshal Arshad Malik seeking a stay against the Sindh High Court’s December 2019, order restraining him from working as the chief executive officer of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
The SC allowed Malik to continue performing his duties as the head of the national carrier.
During the hearing, the CJP asked the government to explain a single good thing that happened in the national airline.
“PIA is playing with the lives of the people,” CJP Ahmed complained.
However, Attorney General of Pakistan Khalid Jawed defended Malik and described him as a competent person. He added that, God-willing, Malik would take the PIA forward. However, the CJP interjected and told the government lawyer that work cannot be done by merely uttering “By the grace of God”, “God-willing” and “Thanks be to God”.
Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan also criticised the government, saying that the court knows that a lot of lobbies were working against the airline.
“There are lobbies inside PIA who do not want it to work,” remarked the judge. He also suggested that the air marshal implement those decisions which a political government cannot.
“If actions had already been taken, the airline would not have been in its present state,” Justice Ahsan said.
To this, the AGP replied that if Arshad Malik is allowed to work as the CEO, he will take all those actions. He added that whenever the court will say that Malik has to go, he will go.
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Coronavirus: Opp calls PM ‘petty’ for not mentioning Sindh CM in address
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb has called Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan “a petty person” for not mentioning Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah’s name in his last night’s address to nation on the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
With Sindh being the most affected by the global pandemic that has left over 200 infected in Pakistan, the provincial government led by Shah has been at the forefront in dealing with the outbreak. Among other efforts being made by the Shah administration in Sindh, it is the first provincial government to set up a Rs3 billion coronavirus relief fund besides entering a partial lockdown to contain the virus.
According to reports, the World Health Organization (WHO) country head had also praised Pakistan for its actions with regard to the outbreak on the basis of the steps taken by Sindh government. Despite this, the premier on Tuesday night didn’t mention Sindh CM or the government led by rival Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as he spoke to the nation in a televised address amid coronavirus fears.
Calling him out, Aurangzeb said that Imran “was a liar” who appeared to have no idea about the seriousness of the pandemic. Her comment came after PM Imran resorted to his popular mantra of “ghabrana nahi hai” as he urged the nation not to panic amid the global outbreak of coronavirus that has left at least 237 infected across the country and over 190,000 in the world with nearly 8,000 deaths.
“Corona[virus] is a flu that spreads very quickly. 97% cases of the virus are treated successfully, and out of this, 90% are mild. Only 4-5% have to go to hospitals,” he said as he downplayed the global pandemic that has forced countries to shut down entire cities, including the Italian capital.
The premier also shared details of what the government was doing to contain the coronavirus mess.
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‘Ghabrana nahi hai,’ PM tells nation, again
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Tuesday resorted to his popular mantra of “ghabrana nahi hai” as he urged the nation not to panic amid the global outbreak of coronavirus that has left at least 237 infected across the country and over 190,000 in the world with nearly 8,000 deaths.
Addressing the nation as the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — spreads in Pakistan, the premier said that the virus was dangerous for the elderly since it attacked their already-weakened immune system, adding that there was no need to panic since 97% of the affectees recovered from the virus.
“Corona[virus] is a flu that spreads very quickly. 97% cases of the virus are treated successfully, and out of this, 90% are mild. Only 4-5% have to go to hospitals,” he said as he downplayed the global pandemic that has forced countries to shut down entire cities, including the Italian capital.
“We formed the National Security Committee last week when only 20 cases had been reported. Italy didn’t act immediately, which led to a lockdown after the virus rapidly spread. The United States (US) is now shutting down cities while the United Kingdom (UK) is dealing with it differently,” PM Imran said, adding that his government mulled shutting down cities back when there were only 20 cases of the novel virus.
He maintained that it, however, wasn’t an option for a country like Pakistan. “Our country is not like Europe. We are a poor country. Unemployment is high, businesses are slow, the economy is going through a tough time. So we thought people would die of hunger and poverty if we locked down cities.”
“We are dealing with this in our own way. We have asked NDMA [National Disaster Management Authority] to be ready for an outbreak. NDMA will also provide ventilators as they will be needed in case of an outbreak. We have shut down educational institutions and banned public gatherings. A core committee of doctors specialising in infectious diseases is also working with us.”
The premier further said that the government had constituted two committees to deal with the virus. “One is the coordination committee and the other one is an economic committee to determine how this will affect the economy. Our economic committee will ensure that there is no hoarding and prices of essential items do not increase.”
PM Imran said that his government took the difficult decision to prohibit public gatherings and ban events where public showed up in huge numbers such as the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Urging the people to join hands with the government in its war against the pandemic, he said that people should know that the virus will spread. “But don’t panic. It is our belief that life and death are in the hands of Allah. Every person should not get him or her self tested based on mild flu symptoms alone. Testing kits should be used only for those who actually have symptoms of the novel virus.”
The premier also paid tribute to the government of Balochistan and Pakistan army for ensuring that pilgrims arriving from Taftan were quarantined. He said that the government was following the coronavirus situation closely, and praised the efforts of doctors and nurses, saying that the government would help them in their “jihad” against the virus.
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Coronavirus: PM wants rich countries to waive off Pakistan, other poor countries’ loans
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that rich countries should waive off the loans of poor countries in order to help the latter curb spread of the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — that has become a global pandemic.
In an interview to a foreign media outlet, the premier predicted that the novel coronavirus would destroy the economy of developing countries.
“In case we get swamped by this virus, our health facilities will not be able to cope with it,” he added.
He also urged the United States (US) to lift sanctions over Iran as they were in a terrible state due to the pandemic and the sanctions had already impoverished Tehran.
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To a question, PM Imran regretted Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s statement about Taliban. “Solution to the Afghan conflict lies in talks between the shareholders.”
He said after coming to power, his government had worked on the Afghan Peace Deal with the US and Pakistan was an ally of the US for peace as he had always opposed Islamabad’s inclusion in the war against terror.
“An extremist government is ruling over India and I have apprised the United Nations (UN) about the grave rights violations of Muslims in India by the Modi government,” he said.
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Imran Khan approves spending Rs42 million to defend govt on internet
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has approved spending Rs42 million of taxpayers’ money for the constitution of a digital media wing at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the only responsibility of which will be to defend the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government over the internet.
According to Geo, the 27-member digital media wing will defend over social media any decisions made by the government while also dealing with critics of the ruling PTI and explaining the policies of the Imran administration.
No allocations were there in the budget for the ongoing fiscal year and the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had also rejected the government’s summary for the constitution of a digital media wing, the report said, adding that Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has clarified how supplementary grants do not fall within the jurisdiction of the Finance Ministry.
“The ECC had left the matter of the digital media wing’s budget up to PM Imran,” she reportedly said.
Meanwhile, Focal Person to the PM on Digital Media Dr Arslan Khalid said it was the first time any government was building the capacity of the Information Ministry on the digital media front. He tweeted:
Separately, in an exclusive conversation with The Current, he maintained that digital media was a reality and capacity building of the Information Ministry on digital front was something to cherish. “From its approval to recruitment to its working, all will be public knowledge,” he said.
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Imran govt says it has nothing to do with Geo owner’s arrest, taking channel off the air
Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said the government should not be linked with the action taken by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) with regard to the arrest of Jang/Geo Group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman, or Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) reported action against the media outlet.
With the media outlet waging war on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, alleging that the “fake case” against its editor-in-chief was rooted in Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s “personal vendetta against Geo and its owner”, and that the developments from earlier this week had “exposed the unholy alliance between the government and NAB”, the mouthpiece of the government has clarified the situation.
“The government had nothing to do with the matter while the NAB was an independent body and unnecessary propaganda was being made against the government,” Dr Firdous said Friday, emphasising that the PTI government believed in freedom of media and actions taken by the anti-graft body or the media watchdog should not be viewed as otherwise.
Dr Firdous contended that none was a “sacred cow” and it was unfair to target the government for this, while PM Imran had waged a struggle for the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution for the last 22 years. She said some people were treating the law as their personal commodity and added that the government had to present its position, as she alleged a “one-sided picture” was being painted by the media house.
“We came to know about his [Rehman] arrest through media,” the SAPM said, adding that a person belonging to the media fraternity had filed a complaint against another individual while the government had nothing to do with it. The government, she said, believed strongly in media freedom and was geared up to remove any hurdle in its way.
Dr Firdous was of the view that Geo should also present the government’s point of view as well as of NAB and reiterated that the government was not a party in this case.
She said that the government considered media as its partner and hailed Jang/Geo Group’s independent editorial policies. Praising the group’s unbiased analyses on the government’s policies, she said, “We take guidance from them.”
Defending the government, she said that Jang and Geo Media Group was a media organisation and how could the government lock its horns with it, saying the Group was not the government’s political rival.
“Dispel this perception! You are a media house, what enmity could the government have with you. You are not a political entity. You are not our political enemy. You are an independent media house and we understand that remaining that way is your strength,” she noted.
Asked about Imran Khan’s repeated statements: ‘Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, I shall see you’ and was not the Thursday’s action with reference to this, she said that those had been made when he (MSR) had come out of the apex court and said that journalism was not his only business: it was just one part.
She said, “We are looking at him from two angles: as the head of a media organisation and as a businessman. This case has been made not because he is the owner of a media house but because he is a businessman. The issue is that of the allotment of 54 plots from the then chief minister.” “NAB provided questionnaires in this regard to which he was unable to respond and based on which he was arrested. The Group should not associate such actions with the government. They should not show just one side of the picture,” she emphasised.
Dr Firdous contended that it was unfair to term his arrest a part of revenge tactics by the government for his media house’s stance and said to call this revenge or to say this was carried out according to the government’s wishes was unfair and unjust and that every person had the right to prove his innocence in the face of allegations levelled against him.
“Allegations are made every day and politicians, bureaucrats and others also face cases, but after these allegations are made, evidence is produced in the court, and both sides are given the chance to present evidence supporting their stance and then announces a just decision on the basis of facts,” she said.
She emphasised that truth would prevail in this case, and added that Prime Minister Imran Khan had worked hard towards strengthening institutions and making them independent, which were previously in a bad shape.
Dr Firdous claimed that under the prime minister’s governance, institutions were working freely. However, after the arrest, to continuously say the government had killed press freedom and to connect these two things, and to use a watchdog to push an agenda against the government goes against the principles of journalism.
“We expect NAB to present evidence in the court on the basis of which it arrested MSR so that this move can be justified in the eyes of the law and the Constitution. In the same way, we expect him and the analysts and journalists from his media house to submit evidence to the court attesting to his innocence instead of attacking the government and becoming themselves a court,” she said.
She contended the courts were free and independent and then asked did the rest of the people arrested by NAB had the right to have discussions on media channels this way or have debates about the case, and pressurise investigation officers.
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Suhail Warraich says PM Imran has ‘invited wrath of God’ by arresting Jang/Geo owner
Moments after Jang/Geo Group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), a senior journalist affiliated with the media house, Suhail Warraich, has called out Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan for “crossing all limits and inviting the wrath of God”.
“Imran Khan [has] crossed all limits by arresting MSR [Mir Shakilur Rehman] thus inviting wrath of God Almighty,” Warraich said in a tweet.
Earlier in the day, media mogul, philanthropist and Jang/Geo Group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman was arrested by NAB Lahore in what sources said was a case pertaining to the purchase of a 54-kanal land.
Rehman is accused of leasing the said land from former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif in Lahore in 1986, which he was not eligible for.
The anti-graft watchdog will produce Rehman in front of an accountability court on Friday for his physical remand, NAB spokesperson Nawazish Ali has said.