Daily Times

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Tuesday said that ‘non-serious attitude’ on part of federal government and individuals running it regarding Covid-19 and locust attack is a ‘dangerous approach’. He directed the Sindh government to continue its efforts to protect citizens of the province from coronavirus and devastation caused by the locusts with whatever powers it has constitutionally and administratively.

The PPP chairman was briefed by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on the steps taken by Sindh government in fight against Covid-19. He was informed that hundreds of children have been found infected by the virus in the province, apparently following the ease in strict lockdown imposed by the Sindh government.

Bilawal expressed grave concern on the federal government’s ‘false narrative’ that a choice had to be made between saving lives and saving the economy, adding it is the government’s job to provide healthcare, save lives, and save the economy. He said that the federal govt cannot absolve itself of its responsibilities.

He said that the PPP and the Sindh government are fully geared up to protect the people from implications of the deadly disease despite facing bottlenecks and diversions from ‘imprudent opponents’. He appreciated the Sindh government for timely action and efforts and asked it to continue to wage war against coronavirus by ignoring the elements targeting it.

Bilawal pointed out that locust swarms have attacked the length and breadth of the country while the federal government has miserably failed to implement the national action programme against locusts. “Attack by locusts on agriculture crops and fruits poses the worst danger of famine in the country and people may have to suffer gravely due to the criminal negligence of the federal government,” he said, and asked the Sindh government to employ all available sources and capacity to eliminate locusts in all the districts of the province.