RAWALPINDI: Special Assistant to the Punjab Chief Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan on Saturday lashed out at opposition parties and said that they were not only challenging the government writ and exposing people to Covid-19, but openly violating the court orders.

Addressing a press conference at the Rawalpindi Press Club, she said the law will take its course against the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leadership for breaking the stadium’s locks in Multan.

Accompanied by PTI North Punjab President and MNA Sadaqat Ali Abbasi, the special assistant noted that the second wave of Covid-19 was proving to be more dangerous as compared to the first one and the next two weeks were very crucial.

She said the virus positivity rate was high in Punjab where hospitals had been filled to their capacity.

She said they accepted the democratic right of the opposition parties but it was also “our responsibility to protect the lives of the people from coronavirus so we will not spare those who violate the law and play with people’s health”.

Ms Awan advised the PDM leadership to use new technology for holding public meetings.

She said the government would expose those who tried to create unrest and chaos in Multan.

Firdous Ashiq Awan said it was strange that PML-N leaders were spreading hatred in Multan on the day when their mother’s body was lying at home for burial and they were busy in politics.

She said that Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar knew the democratic rights of the opposition but it is their responsibility to protect the people from Covid-19.

“The miscreants are trying to take law in their hands in Multan which is the city of saints. The law has the power to stop them and also provide the constitutional and legal protection to the people,” she said.

“According to our traditions, there is nothing more important than honor and respect of mother. Nawaz Sharif should have shown courage and participated in funeral of his mother,” she said.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2020