Thread by @_AhmedQuraishi

#COVIDー19 crisis response is another area where the performance of Prime Minister #ImranKhan's cabinet is inadequate & late resulting in a rapid surge in #coronavirus cases+infections. His TV address was unimpressive. @ImranKhanPTI can learn from @realDonaldTrump & @NYGovCuomo.

Unlike #USA+#Europe, #Pakistan is right next door to two epicenters of #COVIDー19 spread: #China & #Iran. China was initially late but later took impressive steps to contain the spread, incl quarantining #Pakistani citizens. Unlike Iran where Pk citizens visited in large numbrs.

What steps did PM #ImranKhan take for a #CoronaFreePakistan when it was obvious #Pakistan faced #COVIDー19 spread threat from #Iran; & when it became obvious that almost every neighbor incl #Iraq+#Turkey+#Gulf traced 1st cases to Iran & when #Tehran failed to warn neighbors?

Not only did PM #ImranKhan fail to anticipate #COVIDー19 spread from #Iran (where #Iraq #Turkey #Gulf sourced first infections to), some members of his cabinet were allegedly facilitating unchecked entry of infected #Pakistani citizens:

https://twitter.com/arsched/status/1241300655970582528?s=20

PM #ImranKhan's failure to anticipate #COVIDー19 infection threat from #Iran is the single biggest contributor for #coronavirus spread in #Pakistan, a country without a single indigenous case, and where all cases came from Iran. #CoronaFreePakistan

In addition to calling for ending #Iran sanctions, PM #ImranKhan could have also worked with #Tehran to quarantine or at least screen infected #Pakistanis before pushing them to #Pakistan border with exit stamps on passports, making it impossible for Pak to stop the spread.

Ironic how PM #ImranKhan's government asked #China to block the return of #Pakistani citizens without screening for #coronavirus & is now asking civilian passengers not to return to homeland, but he failed to negotiate with #Iran the proper return of infected #Pakistanis.

With these initial failures of his govt in the #COVIDー19 crisis, now PM @ImranKhanPTI is vacillating on important decisions. He won't put #Pakistan in lockdown, on flimsy grounds. He also failed to support President @ArifAlvi on the question of canceling religious gatherings.

PM #ImranKhan's arguments against nationwide #COVIDー19 do not add up. His concern for the impact on citizens below poverty line is appreciable but he took no action against hoarders & price gougers since coming to power, and since the start of #CoronaFreePakistan campaign.

PM @ImranKhanPTI should declare nationwide lockdown; act ag hoarders/price-hikers; work on economic stimulus; negotiate with #Iran on better treatment for visitors (shoving them to border was inhuman & reckless); should work with #China+#USA on #COVIDー19 assistance.

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Generally, PM #ImranKhan's govt failed to anticipate #COVIDー19 crisis despite clear signs, esp after #Iran breakout across neighborhood. #Balochistan did better. #PakMilitary's emergency mobilization finally spurred federal govt into action. Impression.

https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/1241827006662217728?s=19

All religious shrines in #Islamabad are closed by @dcislamabad for three weeks. The order does not, however, extend to mosques, like the case is in #Egypt #Turkey #Malaysia #UAE. The government of PM #ImranKhan is reluctant to take up this issue despite recommendation by experts: