Staff Reporter
Punjab Governor Ch Muhammad Sarwar on Thursday said that political and national unity is needed to defeat the monster of coronavirus which has now turned into a global challenge.
Addressing a crowded press conference here at Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) National Headquarters along with PRCS Chairman Abrar ul Haq and provincial Minister for Energy Dr Akhtar Malik, the governor said all political parties and religious groups should shun their petty differences and get united on a single agenda of saving the nation and the country from coronavirus. He said government alone cannot fight this challenge and that every segment of the society will have to play his part to win this battle. “This is a unique type of battle which we have to fight by staying at home … we need to adopt social-distancing in order to contain the spread of coronavirus,” he said.
The governor said Pakistan needs to learn a lesson from China, which has successfully fought this war through drastic measures, which at times would not appear easy for the people to go along. “Don’t worry … this government will not leave you alone at this testing time,” he said, while addressing the people of the country.
He congratulated Abrar ul Haq over assuming charge of the PRCS as chairman and hoped that under his leadership, the organization will play an exemplary role in service to humanity.
PRCS Chairman Abrar ul Haq said Pakistan is facing a global disaster but “we have to face it like a mature nation.” He said it is time for the nation to forge unity. He especially appealed to the business community to come forward and help the people in need, instead of taking this disaster as an opportunity to mint money through profiteering.
Regarding steps taken by the PRCS to tackle the coronavirus challenge, he said qualified screening teams and ambulances have been deployed at Chaman border to support Balochistan government, and that so far 25,000 people have been screened for coronavirus. He said an isolation ward has been set up at PRCS health facility in Gwadar, while 10 ambulances along with first-aiders have been deployed at Islamabad, Lahore and Quetta airports as well as the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad for transportation of suspected cases. He said the PRCS has provided a water filtration plant for government-run quarantine facility in Gadap Town, Karachi, besides logistic support for quarantine facility in Kohat.
Abrar ul Haq said the PRCS has distributed informatory broachers with key messages on coronavirus preventive measures, and also launched a massive campaign on mainstream and social media to raise awareness among general public about the disease. He said the PRCS is setting up a hospital in Rawalpindi to treat coronavirus patients and is also planning to launch laboratory test facility for the suspects at affordable rates.
PRCS Secretary General Khalid bin Majeed was also present on the occasion.
