ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: National Assembly Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday claimed that if the federal government had ensured proper protocol and arrangements at Taftan border crossing between Pakistan and Iran, the country’s coronavirus outbreak would never have accelerated to this degree.
Addressing the nation via video link, Sharif said, “While it is unfortunate that this happened, it is necessary to move forward towards a solution.”
Sharif also observed that bringing politics into the equation at such a time when the country is dealing with a deadly coronavirus “would be a sin”, adding that everybody has to play their due role in ensuring the nation can combat the virus.
The PML-N president urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to convene a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to address the pandemic.
He also offered the government solutions for combating the fallout from the outbreak, which included cutting down the interest rate by three to four percent, doubling the salaries of medical staff, taking the media on board and launching an awareness campaign and reducing oil prices by 70 percent to bring down inflation.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties in the National Assembly are expected to hold a video conference today in view of the prevailing coronavirus situation.
Yesterday, Sharif, who returned to the country on Sunday after over 4-month of stay with his ailing brother Nawaz Sharif in London, had contacted leaders of other opposition parties including Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and formally invited them to attend a video multi-party conference (MPC) on Tuesday (today).
According to PML-N Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb, besides Bilawal, Shehbaz also spoke to Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali, Qaumi Watan Paty (QWP) chief Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai.
Besides these opposition leaders, Sharif also contacted the head of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) Sardar Akhtar Mengal, whose party is a part of the ruling coalition, headed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).
“The objective of the meeting,” Aurangzeb said, “is to draw up a strategy and provide a guideline the government to tackle the virus.”
When asked why her party had not invited anyone from the government to show unity at such a critical time, she claimed, “If we invite the government, then the purpose of the MPC would be defeated.”
As of Tuesday, Pakistan’s virus tally stands at 879, with six reported deaths. Six patients have completely recovered in different parts of the country.
