Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz thinks it is unsafe to conduct medical entry tests due to coronavirus, but it is perfectly okay to organise massive political gatherings amid a second wave of the virus.
In a tweet, the PML-N leader expressed solidarity with the protesting students. She questioned why the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT 2020) was being held when educational institutions have been closed due to the virus.
“While all educational institutions are closed and exams are being postponed, MDCAT students are being forced to appear for MDCAT test by PMC,” tweeted Maryam, expressing concern for the families of the students.
But it seems the PML-N leader wants to use the medical entry tests issue to gain political mileage, and coronavirus is just an excuse. The PML-N leader has no plan to postpone her Multan rally despite the soaring tally of COVID cases and repeated government directives.
According to local media reports, the PML-N vice president said that she will go ahead with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally in the southern Punjab city.
“I am taking part in the rally on instructions of my father Nawaz Sharif,” Maryam said, adding that her father has told her to carry on her political activities despite the loss of her grandmother. Shamim Akhtar who died in London on Sunday will be brought back by the end of this week.
PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah has refused to admit the role of the opposition rallies in the spread of coronavirus infections. He said the virus doesn’t spread by organising rallies and asked for relevant data to prove him wrong.
Meanwhile, the Multan district administration has refused to grant permission for the rally in the wake of the increase in coronavirus infections. “We have not allowed public gatherings because of COVID-19,” Deputy Commissioner Amir Khattak was quoted by a local media outlet as saying.
COVID CASES IN PAKISTAN:
Pakistan has reported over 3,300 infections for the second time in day, while at least 40 people have died due to the virus. Despite quasi-lockdown restrictions, the number is on the rise with people paying no heed to the SOPs.
According to the National Command and Operation Centre, Muzaffarabad has reported the highest positivity ratio at 17.05%.
Peshawar has reported the second-highest positivity ratio at 15.64%, following by Hyderabad and Karachi with 14.40% and 14.02% positivity rate, respectively. In Rawalpindi, Multan, and Mirpur, the positivity rate is over 10%.
