ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan on Wednesday criticised the Sindh government over its handling of the lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis, saying that the provincial government must fulfill its responsibilities regarding provision of relief to the people.
Addressing a news conference along with PTI’s Central Vice President and parliamentary leader in Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh, the special assistant said it is the discretion of the Sindh government to impose lockdown or the curfew, but warned that the provincial government should not spread disappointment and fear amongst the people.
She said Prime Minister Imran Khan is fully aware of his responsibilities and is taking along all federating units to successfully face the coronavirus challenge. She said the federal and provincial governments will have to work together to cope with the pandemic.
Awan said the Ehsaas Cash Emergency program has been launched across the country to provide cash relief to the deserving families. She said the National Coordination Committee took the decisions with consensus to extend the lockdown for two more week, but the provinces can take the decisions keeping in view their ground situation.
The special assistant said it is not the time for politics but to collectively serve the masses. She said the coronavirus will be overcome with the support of the masses, and coronavirus is an unpredictable and hidden enemy and the only solution is to follow the precautionary measures. She said the federal government is making every possible effort to not only protect the people from the pandemic but also from poverty.
Haleem Adil Sheikh said the Sindh government should respect the federal government’s decisions to cope with the current situation. He said the death toll in Sindh is much higher than projected as many people have died from all ailment while showing coronavirus symptoms.
He appreciated the federal government’s Ehsaas Cash Emergency Program and said the ten billion rupees have been distributed amongst the deserving families in Sindh province alone under the programme.
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