Buzdar says health, administrative affairs are in control

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Tuesday said the health and administrative affairs were in full control, adding that there would be complete transparency in utilization of funds allocated for tackling the coronavirus pandemic.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Buzdar promised to ensure that there is no corruption and said the government wanted to provide help to the deserving people. An amount of Rs10 billion had been allocated for 2.5 million families, he added.

The chief minister said the health department had been directed to increase the capacity of coronavirus testing.

Citing the measures taken by the provincial government, he said the government had already announced an additional salary for doctors and the martyrs’ fund would also be utilised in case anyone was martyred.

He said the aim was to develop a vaccine domestically; however, they were facing shortage of resources.

The chief minister said resources were being transferred to the tehsil level to help fight the pandemic.

He said the people arrested for violating the lockdown would be released. There were reports of police mishandling and the chief secretary had been instructed to conduct an inquiry into the matter, said the chief minister.

About the reports of the Tableeghi Jamaat members spreading the coronavirus, Buzdar said the government respected the group and was in talks with its leaders.

He said the government has also ordered anti-germs spray in mosques and seminaries.