Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has criticised the UK government's decision to place Pakistan on the 'red list' of countries amid the fresh wave of Covid. Britain had placed four countries including Pakistan on the 'red list' to bar entries from these countries in light of the Covid situation.
Asad Umar questioned whether the decision was taken on the basis of scientific evidence or foreign policy.
Earlier, the UK government had stated that the move to restrict entries of citizens from Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan and the Philippines was based on advice from public health experts as well as scientific data.
The minister said that while every country has a right to act towards safeguarding the health of its citizens, the UK government's decision appears to be biased. "It raises a legitimate question whether the choice of countries is based on science or foreign policy," he was quoted as saying.
Asad Umar questioned whether the decision was taken on the basis of scientific evidence or foreign policy.
Earlier, the UK government had stated that the move to restrict entries of citizens from Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan and the Philippines was based on advice from public health experts as well as scientific data.
The minister said that while every country has a right to act towards safeguarding the health of its citizens, the UK government's decision appears to be biased. "It raises a legitimate question whether the choice of countries is based on science or foreign policy," he was quoted as saying.