Covid-19: Prime Minister Imran Khan reminds the world about India's lockdown in Kashmir for the last eight months
Perhaps now the world can understand the sufferings of people under lockdown: says Imran
Dubai: As billions of people are now facing lockdown due to coronavirus, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has once again drawn the attention of the world towards the lockdown in Indian Administered Kashmir since August last year.
In a series of tweets on Tuesday, Prime Minister Imran said that perhaps now the international community can understand the sufferings being endured by the people of ‘Indian Administered Kashmir’ under lockdown since August 2019, as protests erupt in various parts of the world against coronavirus-related lockdown.
“Demonstrations in various parts of the world are now going on against lockdowns during a pandemic — despite [provision] of medical, financial, communication & food assistance. Perhaps now [international] community can understand the suffering of Kashmiris in IOJK as they suffer brutal oppression,” tweeted Imran.
Criticising the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, Prime Minister Imran further said in another tweet: “Under an inhumane politico-mly lockdown continuing for over 8 months now without any provision of medical, financial, communication or food assistance. In fact the racist Hindutva Supremacist Modi Govt has ensured that Kashmiris are deprived of all basic amenities during lockdown.”
Kashmiris in India have been facing lockdown since the Indian government in August last year revoked Article 370 that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir and split the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir with an Assembly and Ladakh without one.
Cabinet briefing
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan on Tuesday said that the federal cabinet has decided to send chloroquine tablets to friendly nations to help them in their time of need.
In a media briefing after the cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, Awan said that one million chloroquine tablets will be sent to Saudi Arabia, United States of America, Turkey, Italy, United Kingdom, Kazakhstan and Qatar. She said that Prime Minister Imran informed the cabinet that leaders of some countries had called him and expressed a desire to import the tablets from Pakistan following some encouraging results in treating the coronavirus.
Coronavirus update
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran also reviewed measures taken to contain the spread of coronavirus. He stressed on ensuring an effective strategy and public cooperation for maintaining social distancing in the current situation.
He noted that countries all over the world sought public cooperation to deal with issues of national importance instead of using force. “Instead of using force, public cooperation has been sought in sovereign countries through the involvement of the people over issues of national importance,” he said.
The prime minister also discussed issues affecting healthcare workers and the trader community. Regarding Ramadan guidelines agreed with the Ulema, Imran said the responsibility of ensuring implementation lay with all stakeholders.
Imran stressed upon an effective strategy and public cooperation for maintaining social distancing to limit the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Traders problems
He said the federal government is aware of problems faced by the trader community and is making efforts to resolve their issues with the cooperation of the provincial governments.
Referring to doctors and paramedics, the premier said that the government is keeping their requirements on top priority as they are on the front line in the fight against the deadly the contagion.
192 coronavirus deaths
The nationwide tally of Covid-19 patients stands at 9,505 with 4,195 cases in Punjab, 3,053 in Sindh, 1,276 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 465 in Balochistan, 281 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 185 in Islamabad, and 50 in Pakistan Administered Kashmir, according to the Express Tribune. COVID-19 patient deaths rose to 192 on Tuesday
Earlier, the premier said that the country may face increased coronavirus cases from the middle of May and the country’s healthcare system can come under significant pressure.
“Coronavirus cases are expected to increase from May 15 to May 20,” Imran had warned. The premier had also said Pakistan has less Covid-19 cases than compared to the rest of the world as the federal government took the timely decision of imposing a lockdown.