PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Qaumi Watan Party on Friday criticised the government over failure to ensure the provision of medical care to the people and control prices in the province during the current outbreak of coronavirus.

They demanded the establishment of coronavirus screening centres at the district level in the province.

The PML-N provincial office-bearers shared issues regarding the outbreak of coronavirus via video-link and demanded of the government to take advantage of the lockdown to stem the spread of the virus.

They said the details of the people, who returned from abroad lately, were available but the government didn’t swiftly handle them and thus, causing the spread of the virus in different districts.

In a statement issued here, PML-N provincial president Amir Muqam said the government had three months to take pragmatic precautionary measures but the government didn’t take it seriously.

Flay govt over ‘failure’ to handle people returning from abroad

He said hospitals lacked essential equipment, especially ventilators.

He suggested that the government should pay Rs15,000-20,000 stipend to each of the low income families, and waive off three-month utility bills of the poor people instead of receiving the bills in installments.

Mr Muqam asked the government to set up youth volunteers’ groups at union councils and provincial assembly constituencies’ basis with provision of all basic safety kits to people.

He appreciated the role of medical staff and journalists for performing tough duties and demanded of the government to facilitate them.

In a statement, QWP provincial chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao resented the growing prices of daily use commodities and said it was the duty of the government to ensure provision of flour, sugar, pulses, cooking oil and other essential items at reasonable rates to the residents.

He said during lockdown, the poor daily wagers were unable to earn livelihood and therefore, the government should provide food packages to them and other needy people.

“It’s time to take appropriate steps for the provision of relief to the needy citizens and control price of essential commodities by taking strict action against hoarders and profiteers,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2020