Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Friday said the government did not announce any relief package for frontline workers such as doctors, nurses, or daily wagers, but did for the construction industry during the coronavirus lockdown.
“In the middle of global pandemic, we have not announced major relief packages for our doctors, nurses, frontline fighters or even daily wage earners who have been hardest hit by lockdown. However, Pakistan has announced major relief for construction industry during #COVID2019,” he posted on his Twitter handle.
He cautioned that the entire country can suffer due to the current policies of the government, urging leaders to support the healthcare system and labourers. “Support our health care system. Support our laborers. Support those who need it most,” he said. “Our value for profit over human life is driving our response to a health crisis. the federal government has its priorities wrong and the whole country could suffer as a result. Support our health care system. Support our laborers. Support those who need it most,” he tweeted.
Earlier in the day, the federal cabinet approved an ordinance providing legal cover to the incentive package announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan for the construction industry earlier this month in a bid to create employment opportunities in the country to ward off adverse effects of the coronavirus crisis on economy. Under the ordinance, a fixed tax regime is being introduced for builders and developers. There will be no withholding tax on the construction material except cement and steel.
Doctors, paramedics and others affiliated with healthcare sector across the country have been complaining about the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). The dearth of protective gear has left the healthcare workers, who are on the frontline in the fight against the virus, facing the highest risk of infection. Several images circulating on the social media show doctors working and inspecting patients wearing plastic bags to protect themselves.
