PM ‘saddened’ by CJP’s remarks about govt steps against coronavirus

Prime Minister Imran Khan is saddened by Supreme Court’s remarks about federal cabinet’s performance vis-a-vis coronavirus containment measures, sources said.

Imran Khan was chairing a meeting of cabinet members on Monday. During the meeting, the prime minister sought details from ministers about the Supreme Court’s proceedings, said the sources.

Federal Minister for Communications Murad Saeed informed the prime minister about the Supreme Court Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed Khan’s remarks about the performance of federal cabinet members and Sindh government, on which the premier saddened, sources said.

Earlier on Monday, a five-judge bench of the supreme court, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, was hearing a suo moto case on the government's measures to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed warned the court could order the removal of Adviser to PM on National Health Dr Zafar Mirza as his performance was dissatisfactory.

The CJP said that the government team did not answer even a single question of the court about the coronavirus and merely presented the statistics. “I asked five questions and not even single one answered.”

The CJP said that despite a huge number of ministers and advisers, the government did not take any concrete steps to curtail the infection.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan said: “Instead of taking steps against the coronavirus outbreak, unfortunately, the Pakistan People’s Party-led Sindh government is doing politics.”

He directed the cabinet members to give a tough time to the PPP lawmakers.

The prime minister warned his cabinet members against commenting on the forensic report on sugar and wheat crises.

The meeting also discussed the opening of small industries and electronics industry during the lockdown.

The story is based on Awais Kiyani’s report.