PRIME MINISTER Imran Khan is visibly unhappy about the lockdown measures in place to control the spread of Covid-19 in the country. He expressed his reservations at a recent event when he said that the decision to impose the lockdown was taken by the “elite without thinking of the poor”.

During a speech that largely targeted the ruling elite of the past for its apathy towards development, he turned his attention to the present lockdown and its adverse impact on daily wagers. In an attempt to illustrate his earlier point that selfish rulers have brought misery to the common person, he railed against ‘rich people’ for being responsible for the lockdown. The remarks are baffling. Who exactly is the unidentified elite he is referring to and why is the prime minister undermining a decision ostensibly made by the very administration he heads?

It is no secret that Mr Khan along with some prominent voices in his party harbour a disdain for the ‘elite’. The word has become a common political epithet invoked by the PTI to deride political opponents from dynastic political parties and also the rich in the country who ‘take but don’t give’.

Yet what is ironic about the refrain is that Mr Khan and many members of his party — which includes private jet owners and more than one affluent businessman — don’t see themselves as part of this elite. Given the premier’s past and present privileges and that he is the head of the government of the day, such posturing is misplaced.

The fact is that Mr Khan’s party is in power and not just a cog in the wheel of the government machinery — he is in the driving seat. Even if he feels the lockdown was ‘imposed’ on him when Sindh took the lead, the fact remains that it was also adopted by the other provinces and eventually backed by the government — which made the right decision, albeit belatedly. Ironically, Mr Khan on multiple occasions in the past month has even taken credit for the government’s lockdown resulting in lower than projected infection and death rates.

The premier’s criticism betrays an inner conflict and confusion as regards the coronavirus strategy. Mr Khan must be clear about the government’s approach to tackling Covid-19 as it is far from over.

Infection and death rates for Pakistan may not be as dire as they are in other countries, but they are certainly not good and continue to climb. Health ministry data suggests that over 150,000 people will be infected with the virus by May 30. In this situation, the prime minister would be well advised to focus on how targeted relief can be provided to those worst affected by lockdowns if a further extension is needed after May 9. Mixed signals will unnecessarily befuddle the nation as it confronts an unprecedented healthcare crisis.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2020