Sindh questions Centre's criticism of lockdown, lifts ban on pillion riding

The Sindh government on Saturday announced certain relaxations in the restrictions imposed a day earlier due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the province, especially in Karachi. 

Addressing the media in Karachi this afternoon, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Murtaza Wahab said the government was lifting the ban imposed on pillion riding in the province.

"Shops, hotels, wedding halls, or institution violating [Covid] SOPs will be sealed for 30 days," he warned.

While responding to criticism by some quarters of the federal government on the new lockdown, Wahab said, "this isn't an issue of the economy, but of health; the focus should be on convincing people, not on encouraging chaos".

Also read Lockdown imposed in Sindh till Aug 8 as Covid-19 cases surge

"No one from PPP issued statements over the announcement to enforce a lockdown in Punjab. Those in Karachi could not comprehend the situation in Punjab and likewise, those in Islamabad can not comprehend Karachi's ground realities."

The spokesperson added that the provincial government intends to work along with the federal government and elaborated that CM Murad spoke with NCOC chief Asad Umar and SAPM Dr Faisal Sultan and "nowhere during the conversation did they object to a lockdown".

"A matter related to humanity shouldn't be turned into a political war; we must think about saving people from the disease," he remarked.

A day earlier, CM Murad Ali Shah announced the imposition of a lockdown in the province till August 8 as cases spike in the province and the port city – fuelled by the highly transmissible Delta variant of the pandemic. 

Murad announced that the aim of the lockdown was to reduce pressure on the hospitals and improve healthcare facilities, overcome the spread of the variant, and increase the number of vaccinations.