Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Criticising the Pakistan Democratic Movement
(PDM) for its insistence on holding a jalsa despite rising Coronavirus cases in Peshawar, Prime Minister Imran Khan accused opposition leaders of “playing reckless politics with people’s safety.”
“The same PDM members who wanted a strict lockdown and criticised me earlier are now playing reckless politics with people’s safety,” the premier tweeted early Saturday.
“They are even defying court orders and holding a jalsa when [coronavirus] cases are rising dramatically,” he added. The premier was quoted by tweeting Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar. Umar, who also heads the National Command and Operations Centre, had tweeted earlier that the Covid-19 positivity rate in Peshawar had touched 13.39% on Friday.
Special Assistant to KP CM on Information Kamran Bangash said the government was reviewing the security situation as well. He warned the opposition leaders and workers may be at health risk due to coronavirus if they go ahead with the November 22 public gathering in Peshawar.
Bangash said the opposition leaders were insistent on holding a rally in Peshawar because the city was PTI’s strong-hold. “This is unfair to the masses. Recently, Peshawar High Court chief justice Waqar Seth passed away due to Covid-19,” he said. “If the cases rise, we will hold opposition responsible and take action against them.”
The statements from the government came after the Opposition decided it would push ahead with the jalsa despite the city administration denying permission.
