Amid the increasing number of COVID-19 infections, the political temperature of Pakistan is rising as the 11-party opposition, under the banner of the Pakistan Democratic Movement, has vowed to hold Multan’s public gathering at all cost despite the arrest of several supporters and strict security arrangement.
Multan police arrested more than 20 PPP workers, aligned with the PDM, including Ali Qasim Gilani, the son of ex-premier Yousaf Raza Gilani after they forcibly entered the PDM venue by removing containers and roadblocks in front of the stadium.
The alliance president, Maulana Fazur Rehman, reached the city to decide on a final course of action for today’s rally. Talking to journalists, Maulana Fazl asserted that the rally would be held at Qila Kohna Qasim Bagh as planned and every worker would be there. He also threatened to stage a march earlier than scheduled in order to overthrow the ‘puppet’ government.
The city administration has also completed the arrangements to deal with the emergency situation, with officers of all institutions have been instructed to remain at the district headquarters for the next 72 hours. Meanwhile, the country’s COVID-19 monitoring centre has informed that positivity ratios of the deadly virus across the country are kept increasing, with Multan having a ratio of 12 percent.
The surge in cases seems to be adding to the woes of common Pakistanis who fear that the country’s faltering health system would be overwhelmed by the phenomenal increase that has been witnessed in the past several weeks. In some areas, hospitals and health facilities are already running short of beds and other equipment.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has rightly said that the opposition was disregarding people’s lives and safety. He said that due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in the country, the government needs to impose smart lockdowns but the opposition wants jalsas not caring for the lives and safety of people.
The gloomy situation seems to have worried every Pakistani but it seems politicians and the ruling elite are indifferent to the plight of the common citizen. The opposition claims it is fighting for the supremacy of the law and upholding the constitution but on the pretext of overthrowing Imran Khan’s government, they have been playing with the lives and health of citizens.
The opposition leaders should show magnanimity and support government efforts while also pointing out the flaws in its anti-COVID policy. They should do it not because it would benefit the government but for the sake of millions of Pakistanis.
