QUETTA: Opposition parties in Balochistan on Friday held the provincial government and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) responsible for the spread of coronavirus across the country, alleging that they failed to properly look after the people returning from Iran to Taftan.

Speaking at a press conference along with lawmaker Sana Baloch and other opposition members of the Balochistan Assembly, leader of the opposition Malik Sikandar Khan said the government did nothing other than tweeting about COVID-19 and issuing statements through spokespersons.

The opposition leader said: “We are ready to cooperate with the government against coronavirus if it forms a parliamentary committee.”

He said the opposition parties had given various suggestions to the government to deal with the outbreak but the government did not pay heed. He asked the government to proceed through consultation with political, social, tribal, religious figures to ensure that the masses take preventive measures.

The opposition leader said the government had not evolved a clear strategy to deal with coronavirus in February when it spread in Iran.

“The attitude of Prime Minister Imran Khan is non-serious and his address to the nation was also shameful,” he said.

The leaders of the opposition parties strongly opposed the setting up of quarantine facilities in populated areas, saying that they would not allow setting up of quarantine facilities close to human settlements.

PDMA’s audit demanded

Criticising the performance of the PDMA, the leaders of the opposition parties termed it an inactive institution of the Balochistan government and said it did not play its role in the disaster-like situation. They said funds released by the government were not utilised by the PDMA and alleged that the funds were embezzled.

“The PDMA purchased substandard items for quarantine and failed to manage the situation which resulted in spreading of coronavirus in the people who had returned from Iran,” they claimed, adding that an audit should be conducted about the funds released to PDMA.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2020