PMLN President and National Assembly Opposition Leader Shahbaz Sharif says the PTI-created economic crisis and government mismanagement amid coronavirus has posed an undeniable and alarming threat to the survival of Pakistan and Pakistanis.
In a statement, Shahbaz expressed grave concern over the current state of affairs and the government's baffling instruction to people not to rush for testing. He said testing is the basic and the most important step to identify the extent of the outbreak and prevention of community spread. He said this means that the PTI is extremely un-prepared to face the challenges of the pandemic because no one in the right frame of mind would advise not to get tested.
He said it would be impossible to stop the disease at an early stage if the symptomatic-stage testing is discouraged and deterred. Had the hospitals been well equipped, Imran Niazi wouldn't have advised not to get tested, he added. The National Assembly Opposition Leader said the multiplying number of cases means that it is now a matter of seconds rather than that of days before it slips out of hand. Hiding facts would neither change the truth nor the state of emergency the country is in, he stressed. It is the primary responsibly of the government to ensure the wellbeing of its people.
Shahbaz demanded an immediate and thorough investigation into the Taftan blunder. Why the travelers were allowed without screening and why appropriate medical and residential facilities were not provided, he asked. He strongly condemned the way civilians were herded together like cattle under deplorable circumstances. The Taftan quarantine facility is a representation of the competence, non-seriousness and incapacity to deal with this challenge, he said.
Shahbaz said immediate, constant, effective and decisive steps and arrangements are required to deal with the economic crisis and the looming coronavirus crisis in the country. Time is running out and trying out this tested and failed government could end in national devastation, he warned.
The PMLN President said he had been repeatedly warning all along regarding the pandemic's threat. He said he would have stayed silent if it had not concerned the lives of the entire nation.
He said the PTI government's approach towards economy is the same as that towards the coronavirus. He termed the 0.75 percent reduction in interest rate a mockery of businesses and the business community. He reminded that the rate was 6.5 in PMLN tenure and is 12.5 which is fatal for the economy.
Shahbaz warned the nation not to back on this government which is wrecking havoc both to the economy and the fight against the new coronavirus. He told the nation that they need to take care of themselves and their loved ones on their own. He directed the party leadership, members and workers to play their role in raising awareness to help fight the pandemic and assured Pakistanis that PML-N would do all it can for the nation in these testing times.-PR