Govt pursuing wrong priorities, says Bilawal

By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD: The PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday hit out at the federal government for having its “priorities wrong” in dealing the coronavirus pandemic pointing out that it had announced a relief package for the construction industry but nothing for healthcare workers, who were on the frontline in the war against the disease.
“In the middle of global pandemic, we have not announced major relief packages for our doctors, nurses, frontline fighters or even daily-wage earners who have been hardest hit by lockdown. However, Pakistan has announced major relief for construction industry during Covid-19,” the PPP chief tweeted. “Our value for profit over human life is driving our response to a health crisis,” he added.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari criticised the federal government on Friday for not having ‘its priorities right’ during the coronavirus lockdown, as it failed to announce relief packages for the frontline workers such as doctors, nurses, or daily wagers.
The PPP chairman took to Twitter , saying that the government did not announce any relief for its healthcare staff but did for the construction industry during the coronavirus crisis.
“Our value for profit over human life is driving our response to a health crisis,” he critiqued.
The PPP chairman cautioned that the entire country could suffer due to the current policies of the government, urging the leaders to support the healthcare system and labourers.
“Support our health care system. Support our laborers. Support those who need it most,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, the federal cabinet approved an ordinance for the construction industry that will give special tax breaks to builders and land developers as business suffers due to the spread of the novel coronvirus in Pakistan and across the world. The tax breaks will be applicable as soon as the ordinance is officially notified, sources told media.