ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari has sent a family notice of Rs.1 billion to Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif.
The former defence minister had alleged that Zulfiqar Bukhari was responsible for using his influence to allow pilgrims returning from Iran through the Taftan border, which inadvertently led to the rising number of coronavirus cases in the country.
Bukhari has strongly dismissed the accusation and demanded that Khawaja should withdraw his allegations immediately. Khawaja Asif has been asked to respond to his allegations in court and issue an apology within fourteen days.
Pakistan would’ve slowed the growth of Coronavirus for a month if IK hadn’t been negligent in Taftan. They should have tested people, let go healthy and quarantined the sick. Instead no testing, mixing the two and letting everyone go. Criminal negligence
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) March 22, 2020
A legal notice has been sent to Khwaja Asif under Article 8 of the Disobedience Ordinance of 2002. Zulfi Bukhari said that his reputation was at stake through fabricated allegations, saying Khawaja Asif should be ready to face prosecution.
The PTI leader added that Asif’s comments were against the country’s national interest and that they hurt the sentiments of the overseas Pakistanis, and that he would not respond to directly but in court.
The PML-N leader said the Bukhari was responsible for allowing a “storm of pilgrims” into the country and not keeping into quarantine. Khawaja Asif also blamed Prime Minister Imran Khan, Special Assistant to Health Dr Zafar Mirza, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and Bukhari for the deaths of coronavirus patients.
Read more: No need to be alarmed about coronavirus: Zulfikar Bukhari
