Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, addressing a press conference at Sindh Assembly building, said that there was a dire need of unity and identical narrative to fight coronavirus; otherwise we would not be able to get rid of this pandemic.
“This is a war and in the war only those nations win who demonstrate national unity, cohesion, take timely decisions with collective wisdom.”
He was accompanied by his cabinet members, Azra Pechuho, Saeed Ghani, Nasir Shah, Imtiaz Shaikh, Advisor Murtaza Wahab and MNA Qadir Patel.
He said that on February 26 first case of coronavirus was diagnosed and we had closed the schools for four day and the PSL matches were allowed without spectators. He added that on March 13, the cabinet decided to close the schools up to May 31. “We had started talking to Ulema to minimize prayers in jamaat and on March 16 decision was taken to close restaurants, suspended operation of intra and inter-cities passenger transport but allowed the grocery and vegetable shops to operate
Mr Shah said that on March 22, the cabinet decided to impose lockdown but before it we had taken all the stakeholders, including political parties, within and without parliament, traders WHO and doctors into confidence. “In other words, we had imposed lock down on February 29 when first case of the virus was detected,” he said.
The chief minister brushed aside the impression of imposing lockdown just to show difference of opinion with the federal government. He recalled that the lock down of from April 1 to April 14 and even up to May 9 was announced by the federal government. “Some of our friends [PTI] started talking against Sindh government for imposing the lockdown,” he said and told them that by addressing such press briefings they were trying to be little their federal government which imposed lockdown in consultation with all the provincial governments, including the AJK government. “Yes, the federal government has given flexibility to the provinces to take decisions regarding further tightening the lockdown keeping in view their ground realities. “I am categorically telling each and every one that the Sindh government has implemented 99.9 percent decisions the federal government has taken in consultation with the provinces,” he said and asked then why his detractors were blaming his government of imposing lock down and keep misguiding different communities and traders.
The chief minister said on May 6, an NCOC meeting was held under Federal Minister Asad Umar. He along with other chief ministers had attended the meeting through video link. He added that a day before the meeting draft recommendations for post May 9 measures were shared with all the provinces so that a meaningful discussion could be held.
The recommendations include as follows:
The chief minister said that it include opening of Phase-II of construction industries and community markets/ retail outlets. He added that that additional opening of sectors in phase -II were shops in rural areas, neighbourhood shops situated in residential localities/stand alone shops, excluding malls, large market places, mega departmental stores. Shops /markets, other than pharmacies opening time to be limited till 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday to be declared as a `safe day’ with all sectors/retail closed other than essential sectors or those with a continuous process.
Selective OPDs would also be allowed to operate. However, timing of shops opening was recommended after Fajir till 5 pm as per discretion of the provinces and there would be a total closure at night.
Shah said that we, all the provinces, gave our input and 90 percent agreed with the recommendations. He added that on May 6 we received revised recommendations in the meeting chaired by the prime minister.
“I told the prime minister that we have to take decisions keeping in view the data and ground realities. The emotional decisions, if taken any stage, would bear no fruit,” he said. In the [PM] meeting references of West and other countries were given.
The chief minister said that we are in state of war. In the war situation things are dealt differently but what was needed in the war was national unity. He added that the national unity was demonstrated when war against terror was launched and National Action plan was initiated.
He deplored that despite doing his best he was being criticized without any solid reason and rationale.
He said that cases in Balochistan have increased. Cases in KPK have also spiked from 13-14 percent to 15.9 percent, Punjab cases have also shown an increase from 8.6 percent to 18.4 percent and Sindh was 12 and today it has reached 12.8 percent “I am quite upset and I can’t say things are under control.
Talking about the death of Dr Furqan, the chief minister expressed his deep sorrow and grief. He said that such incidents should not happen,” I really sorry for him, we have taken action against responsible person,” he said and added “in such a crisis situation such issues take place,” he said and added our health sector was better than the other provinces.
