LAHORE: Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema of PML-Q has used his influence to vaccinate his family against COVID-19.
Cheema landed in trouble after a video of him getting his entire family, most of whom are below 60 years of age, vaccinated against COVID-19, emerged on social media.
Pakistan had launched the coronavirus vaccination drive in February this year. Currently, the country is vaccinating healthcare workers and people above the age of 60. Sources said the vaccination process was carried out at his residence.
It is being said that Cheema used his ministerial powers to influence the people responsible for the vaccination drive. Note that the government is currently administering the vaccine only to people 60 years of age or above.
However, Cheema even got his acquaintances vaccinated using his position. A video of the incident is making rounds on social media. Renowned TV actress, Iffat Omar, is also visible in the video.
Family of Federal Minister Tariq Basheer Cheema getting vaccinated out of turn and at their homes. Will @Asad_Umar take notice? Are the rest of Pakistanis children of a lesser god? pic.twitter.com/lEnWmPkLdd
— Adeel Raja (@adeelraja) March 29, 2021
It is worth mentioning where Tariq Bashir Cheema of PML-Q had tested positive for the coronavirus, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) spokesperson Dr Waseem Khawaja said. He said that the minister was admitted to the facility after his condition deteriorated and was undergoing further tests.
Several people on different socials media sites are calling on Prime Minister Imran Khan to take strict action against the minister and force him to resign.
Earlier, the Sindh government had suspended a health official over violating standard operating procedures (SOPs) during the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Dow Ojha Campus vaccination center.
According to details, the Sindh government took action and suspended BPS-18 Deputy District Officer Health Dr. Annela Quershi after reports circulated on social media that families of politicians being administered COVID-19 vaccine jabs.
Meanwhile, the provincial government has formed an inquiry committee under the supervision of Fayyaz Hussain Abbasi to probe the COVID-19 vaccination matter and submit a report within three working days.
Planning Minister Asad Umar also said that the NCOC had received complaints regarding the administration of the COVID vaccine to other than frontline healthcare workers in Karachi. He directed the provincial government to only administer COVID vaccine to frontline health workers.
