Imran Khan has been embroiled with several controversies since he was sworn in as the prime minister of Pakistan. The premier, who is supposed to be under quarantine after having tested positive for Covid-19, came under severe criticism for presiding over a meeting of his media team at his residence.
Imran Khan’s move has been likened to concern for the nation. Clad in a grey tracksuit and joggers, the prime minister appeared to be fine and healthy in the picture. The picture showed him sitting in a room at some distance from his media team comprising Shibli Faraz, Faisal Javed, Yousuf Baig Mirza and Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari.
Prime Minister Khan tested positive for coronavirus on March 20, just a couple of days after receiving China’s Sinopharm anti-COVID vaccine. Minutes after the news broke of Khan testing positive, debate about the vaccine’s effectiveness heated up in Pakistan.
However, medical experts say antibodies start developing five to seven days after getting the first shot of vaccine. After two weeks, antibodies reach protective levels but it takes 28 days to reach their optimum level. Despite that, it cannot be said that a person has become fully protected from virus as no vaccine has 100 percent efficacy.
Pakistan is currently facing the third wave of the novel coronavirus, while the positivity rate has climbed up to 9 percent. Since the coronavirus first reported in the country, the prime minister himself has been in a quandary and now he has put the nation in a predicament.
Imran Khan, at first, defined coronavirus as a ‘common flu’, and later warned the nation about the consequences of the deadly virus. But when he contracted the coronavirus, the prime minister is negligent of the standard operating procedures (SOPs). The premier’s move has become not just a cause for imitation but a source of criticism and his action is being criticized all over the world.
The government of Pakistan is increasing restrictions due to the severity of the deadly disease and the people are being urged to follow precautionary measures. In this regard, Prime Minister Imran Khan should also set an example and adhere to the principles of social distancing and safety precautions.
