Rehman Malik urges PM to call APC on coronavirus

Islamabad: Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior Senator A. Rehman Malik has urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to call All Parties Conference to formulate common counter Coronavirus National Action Plan to counter it effectively.

In series of tweets, he said “It looks that political elite in our country is getting confused by every passing day. We all know that once Cabinet as superior body decides something then it becomes mandatory to be implemented. How can option be given to National Command and Operation Center to implement the lockdown or not?” He added that the cabinet must take the full ownership for its decision on lockdown either to continue or not rather to give vague directions and approvals.

He said that Coronavirus seems not only paralyzing our health care system but it has also made democrat decision makers nervous and decisions are not implemented. He adds that it looks the decision making is more for media than victims of Coronavirus. Expressing great concerned over the recently reported cases, he tweeted “Ten doctors reported positive for COVID-19 that pose a big question on the health system.”

He advised that the Government should take the observations of the Honourable Supreme Court and the negative remarks must be attended”. He urged that there should be an All Parties Conference (APC) to come up with a collective approach and collective responsibility of actions against Coronavirus. He said that he hopes we will find countering strategy with collective deliberations and wisdom.

He has advised the government that the agenda for upcoming National Assembly session should be meaningful as simple discussion on coronavirus is not the need of the time but legislation is required to control and combat this deadly virus. He said that public wants to see Parliament more effective by ensuring effective measures against Corona through legislation.

Senator A. Rehman Malik has also proposed two resolutions to be adopted by National Assembly in its session; one that the government shall not take any new foreign loan on Coronavirus and second that the Government should invoke Force Majeure Law to write-off foreign loans as the law empowers us not to pay back in situation of pandemic.

Senator A. Rehman Malik tweeted “Trust me people do not want to see and listen the political noise which is created by drum beating in the media as Coronavirus will not go away by drum beats but will be combatted by taking practical measures to keep the people at distance and equipping doctors and paramedics.”