PTI Vows To Confront PPP If Lockdown Extended In Sindh

Leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have vowed to resist any effort to extend the Coronavirus restrictions in place in urban areas of Sindh. For its part, the Sindh government has taken the view that the future of the lockdown will be addressed by the National Coordination Committee (NCC) moot which is soon to take place. But PTI leaders have alleged that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government in Sindh is “trying to weaken” the federation through its lockdown measures in Karachi.

PTI Karachi chief and member of the Sindh Assembly Khurrum Sher Zaman addressed a press conference in Karachi, calling for the Sindh government to relax the measures already in place. In particular, he spoke of the need to keep petrol pumps, restaurants, milk shops and various services like barbers and beauty parlours open for wider periods of time than those currently allowed. He also called for lifting restrictions on private and public means of transport, so as to allow people easier access to their workplaces.

In Khurrum Sher Zaman's view, the rise in cases of Coronavirus infections during Ramazan had been caused by the government's measures to prevent shopping after 5 pm – leading to overcrowding.

He cited “Western countries” as examples in support of his view that “a lockdown is not the solution” - and proposed the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) instead.

In case the Sindh government opts to further extend the lockdown in Karachi, the PTI leader vowed to “stand against” such measures.