Pakistain People's Party (PPP) and Pakistain Mohammedan League -- Quaid (PML-Q) MPAs Saturday staged a sit-in outside the Chief Minister's Secretariat on The Mall to protest against what they called the Punjab government's inadequate measures to control the dengue virus.Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Raja Riaz Ahmed led the sit-in. A large number of opposition politicians participated in the demonstration. They were carrying placards and banners with slogans against Shahbaz Sharif.
Mr Riaz demanded the immediate resignation of the chief minister for failure to take timely measures to control the deadly virus. He was of the opinion that the chief minister was informed about the expected dengue outbreak a year ago but he did not pay any heed to the matter. "Dengue mosquito rules during the day while dacoits rule the province at night," he added.
He also asked Pakistain Mohammedan League -- Nawaz (PML-N) President
Nawaz Sharif... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Müslim League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
to seek resignation from his younger brother Shahbaz for what he called his failure to take measures to control dengue in the province.
He said the law and order situation had worsened. "Law abiding citizens are at the mercy of hardened criminals," he added.
He accused the chief minister of holding 16 ministries and said consequently there was no proper work in an important ministry like health.
Mr Riaz affirmed that the opposition would continue its forceful protest within and outside the Punjab Assembly. PPP Punjab President Imtiaz Safdar Warriach and General Secretary Samiullah Khan were also present.
The MPAs also offered prayers for people who died of dengue and for the early recovery of patients.