Don’t play politics on coronavirus, Buzdar tells opposition

Says govt committed to providing health facilities to people

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has criticised the opposition parties’ attitude over the coronavirus pandemic and underlined the need for unity.

In a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office on Thursday, Buzdar said the opposition was busy in issuing statements merely to safeguard their politics. He said the opposition leaders were shouting hollow slogans and were practically doing nothing.

“The government is determined to overcome the coronavirus outbreak under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and with the help of the people,” he said.

The chief minister, on Thursday, also visited quarantine centres in different cities for the coronavirus patients. In the first leg of his visited, he reached the quarantine centre established in Sohdra Wazirabad, Gujranwala division and reviewed treatment facilities being provided to the coronavirus victims. He was briefed that the quarantine centre of Muslims Hands Educational Complex, Sohdra can accommodate 500 patients and necessary facilities have been arranged as per the SOPs. Similarly, 1,000 beds have also been arranged in Gujrat for providing treatment to the patients of coronavirus.



Later, the chief minister visited a quarantine centre set up in Cadet College, Jhelum and reviewed the available facilities and other arrangements. He inspected the 120-bed quarantine centre at the college where he was briefed that coronavirus has been confirmed in 28 patients in Jhelum. At least 1,327 others, who came from abroad, were again screened. Arrangements have been made to keep 552 patients in isolation and this facility will be increased to 1,022 beds.

He said the government would provide all required medical treatment to the coronavirus patients. The chief minister was informed that 11,000 inhabitants at risk have been identified in Gujranwala through tracing measures and screening of 3,933 has been conducted. Different facilities are being provided to 700 people who are confined to their residences through the lockdown.

Buzdar said he was personally monitoring the measures taken to deal with coronavirus pandemic and the process of the arrangements made for providing treatment to the patients.

“Those who are doing politics over this pandemic are not loyal to the nation as it is the time to unite the people,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2020.