ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has voiced alarm at the federal government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
In a statement issued today (Thursday), the human rights body has expressed deep concern over the way the federal government was handling the public health crisis as the number of COVID-19 infections across Pakistan has reached almost 11,000 positive cases.
The notification stated, “Without clarity, Pakistan cannot hope to curb the pandemic and create space for the country’s already fragile healthcare system.”
“The federal government has sown confusion among the population by relaying mixed messages about the lockdown and inciting its supporters in Sindh to undermine the actions taken by the provincial government,” it stated.
The notification further said, “Instead of learning from the experience of more developed countries that have suffered hugely at the hands of this pandemic, the federal government remains indecisive.”
The HRCP also expressed concern over the decision regarding congregational prayers including Taraweeh during Ramadan, despite clear warnings from the Pakistan Medical Association.
In this regard, the notification said, “The government has allowed congregations in Ramazan under pressure from certain clerics, even though this contravenes lockdown decisions in other Muslim countries.”
“When a large part of the population across Pakistan is at risk, it is deeply disappointing to see the federal government indulge in scoring political points against a provincial government while capitulating to the big business and religious lobbies,” the statement concluded.
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