Lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the entire country has been extended till April 30 and the federal cabinet approved this decision on 14th April followed by a formal nod by the National Coordination Committee, which is a reprehensive body consisting of the federal government, all provinces and armed forces.
The current period of nationwide lockdown has expired on the 14th. Prime Minister Imran Khan along with his cabinet members addressed a press conference in the evening in which he said certain sectors are being opened, however, the lockdown is to continue till 30th, especially where there are chances of gatherings.
India has also hinted at the extent of its 21-day lockdown till May 3 as the case of cornavirushttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52277096 has increased there.
Although this was a demand from the Sindh provincial government to extend the ongoing lockdown due to an increase in the cases of coronavirus in the province, the provincial government was being severely criticized by the ruling PIT and other coalition partners due to economic losses to the businessmen. Two federal ministers from PTI Ali Zaidi and Faisal Vawda spoke bluntly in the media previous days against the Sindh government.
Today two major press conferences were held in Karachi. The traders’ representatives held a press conference early this morning announcing to open up their businesses by tomorrow at all costs (by violating the government orders). However, they put off their decision for two days after the federal government’s announcement in the evening.
Another important press conference was also held at Karachi Press Club in which the so-called Ulema of all sects including Mufti Taqi Usmani, Mufti Muneebur Rehman, Shah Owais Noorani (JUP), Mohammad Hussain Mehnati (JI) and others in which they announced to end lockdowns in the mosques and start 5-time prayers from 15th April.
Moreover, they also announced that Tarawih prayers and Itikaf will continue as per schedule during the forthcoming Holy month of Ramzan. They called on people coming to mosques to practice social distancing, come with Wuzu from homes and wear masks. Mufti Munib urged the government to not arrest people from within mosques. All those who have been arrested should be released, he said.
President Dr Arif Alvi has convened a high-level meeting of religious leaders of all sects on April 18 to discuss restrictions on religious gatherings during the lockdown. It is a matter of fact that Saudi Arabia has announced to suspension of Taraweeh during Ramzan because of the coronavirus.
The Pakistani religious leaders have been violating the government’s lockdown orders and many cases of violence and attack on police have been reported during the last two Fridays in which not only Juma congregations were held in Karachi in many parts but people resorted to violence against the law enforcement agencies in some areas. The government seems to be helpless against the religious zealots who are bent to violate the lockdown orders and instigate the general public to take laws into their hands.
Despite the persistent pressure from traders and the federal government of PTI, the Sindh government has still sustained all types of pressures and remained steadfast in its decisions to implement the lockdown. Last week, the provincial government announced to seal of 11 union councils in District East of Karachi due to more reported cases of coronavirus in those areas. This decision was not only criticised by residents of those areas, but the Supreme Court of Pakistan during its hearing of the suo moto case on the government’s measures to control coronavirus also questioned the purpose of such sealing of the residential areas.
The provincial government seems to be reluctant to succumb to any pressure from anywhere, but there is apparent ineffectiveness of the lockdown in many parts of Sindh as reports of people roaming around are coming from everywhere, especially in rural areas. A huge rush at the centres to receive Prime Minister’s coronavirus support fund is reported from many areas of interior Sindh.
In Karachi also the situation in congested areas, Katchi Abadis and Lyari is not satisfactory as people are not observing the lockdown orders and roaming around. Many people have been arrested in violation of orders and violence of police on citizens is reported on social media.
Currently all public transport is closed down, but the private cars, rickshaws and Chingchis (rickshaws carrying 8 passengers) are plying on the city’s many arrears.
Ration distribution and payment of Rs 12,000 under the PM programme have not reached all people as still a large number of people can be seen sitting at the roadsides in many areas or begging near the fruit and grocery markets.
Inefficiency, corruption and lack of essential equipment are the main reasons of non-observance of the lockdown orders in Sindh.
