Prime Minister Imran Khan, expressing his regret for the indifferent attitude of masses towards the deadly coronavirus pandemic, on Saturday reiterated that the government will no more tolerate laxity in compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
He said the government gave the people an opportunity to continue their economic activities by strictly adhering to the SOPs. “But it pains me that you have not implemented those SOPs. The people should realize the threat seriously, as indifferent attitude can push the country into a disaster with the healthcare system crushing under the increasing number of patients,” the prime minister said in his televised address after chairing a meeting here to review the coronavirus situation in Punjab province.
The prime minister said they had reviewed the situation in Punjab and reached the conclusion that the majority of the residents had not been considering the virus as a real threat. By expressing ignorance, they were putting the lives of old and chronic ill people at risk, he added. He said that now they have decided to go for the strictest restrictions by tracing out hotspots and will close down those areas posing higher risks for the Covid-19 spread. “After analysing with my Punjab team, [we’ve decided that] we will not impose a lockdown but will impose selective lockdowns – trace and seal hotspots,” he said, adding that the country’s administration and police were not in a position to take such a huge burden of a complete lockdown.
He also admitted that the administration and police force did not have the resources and manpower to tackle the issue, and additional members of the Tiger Force will be mobilized in this regard. Wearing of masks will be now mandatory and no one would be allowed to move without wearing a mask, he said. “It’s important to understand the consequences of not following the SOPs. If, for example, people in a factory do not follow the SOPs, we will shut down that factory. And then the poor will lose their income,” he added.
The prime minister also warned that the infection will further spread and the month of July will be crucial as they had to face problems in that month. “The main responsibility rests with the people to face the situation as the careless attitude has so far increased the infections,” he added.
Reiterating his stance over lockdown, he said it will have meant complete economic closure and destruction. Pakistan had different economic situation when compared with Singapore, Taiwan or Thailand, which had small population and economies with no social distancing issues. About 25 per cent population of Pakistan had been living below the poverty line, he said. “If the economic activities were halted, it would have burdened the lower income groups, daily wagers and labourers,” the prime minister said, adding that the smart lockdown was the only solution to the current situation.
He mentioned that the government took steps to keep the wheels of economy moving, and save the common man from financial burden. The government faced difficulties in presenting the current fiscal budget. The prime minister said even New York mayor was declaring that they had become bankrupt despite having huge revenue and financial resources.
