Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader and Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior Senator Rehman Malik has urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to call an All Parties' Conference (APC) to formulate common Coronavirus National Action Plan to combat the virus 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 Centre to implement the lockdown or not?"
He urged that there should be an APC to come up with a collective approach, and collective responsibility of actions, against the coronavirus.
Senator Malik said he hoped that "we will find a counter strategy with collective deliberations and wisdom."
He has advised the government that the agenda for the 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.
Malik said that public wanted to see Parliament more effective by ensuring effective measures against coronavirus through legislation.
Senator Malik has also proposed two resolutions to be adopted by the 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.
He said the cabinet must take the full ownership for its decision on lockdown either to continue or not rather than giving vague directions and approvals.
Senator Malik said the coronavirus seemed not only paralyzing our healthcare system but it had also made democrat decision makers nervous, and decisions were not being implemented.
He adds that it looks the decision making is more for media than victims of the coronavirus.
Expressing great concern over the recently reported cases, he tweeted "10 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 Supreme Court and the negative remarks must be attended.
Senator Malik tweeted, "Trust me, people do not want to see and listen to the political noise, which is created by drum beating in the media as coronavirus will not go away by drum beats but will be combated by taking practical measures to keep the people at a distance and equipping doctors and paramedics."