ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has advised the Sindh government to refrain from enforcing a lockdown in the province, saying hungry people cannot be forced to go under a complete lockdown.
“We can’t enforce a lockdown on people who are hungry,” the prime minister said while responding to a citizen’s call during a telethon on Sunday.
Highlighting that the economy has been on an upward trajectory, he said that the government cannot “destroy” the economy by “enforcing a lockdown”. He also spoke about how imposing a complete lockdown in the country is not the solution and cited the example of India, where the situation worsened for poor people when such a measure was taken.
“You can enforce partial lockdowns in areas where there’s an escalation in cases,” he said. The premier added that action could also be taken against wedding halls and restaurants, but only when they violate standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“Moreover, schools can remain closed until students and staff are vaccinated,” the PM added. He further stated that the real solution lies in getting vaccinated. “Pakistan has so far vaccinated 30 million people,” he added.
Addressing the question regarding the horrific murder of 27-year-old Noor Mukadam, the PM assured that he has been following the case for the day one and has all the information regarding it.
“It is a heinous case and it has shocked the nation, given its impact. I assure the nation that the accused will not escape the law and will be brought to justice,” the premier remarked.
He added, “I want to reject the common notion that the accused may escape punishment because they belong to an influential family or have dual nationalities. The murderer won’t escape punishment regardless of how powerful they are,” the premier asserted.
He also spoke about the matter of the Afghan ambassador’s daughter’s alleged kidnapping and said that he took personal interest in the case as if she was his own daughter. “I commend the police for the job they did in the case,” the premier said.
Responding to another caller, the premier said he believes in the freedom of media. “Only those who loot the country have a fear of facing the people,” he said. However, he added that, “I only have a difference of opinion with the media when it airs fake news and propaganda.”
He cited the recent discovery by the EU DisinfoLab about India’s use of fake accounts against Pakistan in this regard. “I want to reiterate that constructive journalism is a blessing for the country,” the premier remarked.
On the question of the government’s proposed electoral reforms, the PM said that his is the first government that wants to bring about a system to ensure transparency in the electoral process. “Electronic voting machines (EVMs) are the only way to rectify the system and deal with its anomalies,” the premier added.
“As many as nine million Pakistanis live abroad, and we will give them the right to vote, he said. He noted that the government has been asking the opposition to coordinate in finalising the reforms, but “to no avail”. The PM questioned the opposition’s claims of rigging in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. He further added that all government functionaries in AJK belonged to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
“The PML-N also lost Sialkot polls,” the prime minister said, adding that the “AJK premier himself alleged rigging in the polls.” The premier reiterated that the only solution to all such allegations was to introduce the electronic voting system.
To another question, the PM said that those being targeted for their corruption are pressurising the government to be granted an NRO (national reconciliation ordinance). “These elements threaten to dislodge the government so as to keep their corruption hidden,” he added.
Answering a question regarding job quotas, the premier said that the Centre’s jurisdiction is smaller as compared to provinces, therefore, he would instruct all the provinces to allot job quotas to deserving people.
The premier also shed light on the future of the government’s flagship Ehsaas Programme. In response to a question, the premier said that he could earlier not invest time in developing sports in the country but now — during the last two years of his government’s tenure — he will oversee the development of sports in the country.
Shedding light on electricity load shedding, he acknowledged it has caused trouble to the people, adding that the country’s power supply was affected due to water shortages as the dams received 35 percent less water this year.
The prime minister said he spoke to Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the issues faced by Pakistanis residing in the Kingdom. “The Saudi foreign minister assured me he would resolve them,” he said.
The premier said on the request of the Pakistani community living in Uzbekistan, the federal government is working on establishing a Pakistani bank over there.
