Dewan Yousuf advises government to avoid total lockdown

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Dewan Mohammad Yousuf Farooqui, a prominent businessman and a former provincial minister, has warned the government about the implications of lockdown if it was not properly defined before implementation. 

Talking to PNFS in Karachi on March 28, he emphasized that the government should take into consideration all pros and cons before arriving at any decision regarding lockdown to combat Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Indeed it’s a complicated situation to handle but it’s a duty of the government to look at all aspects. They have to decide about the areas which require lockdown and which are the ones that could be spared. A total lockdown could mean colossal to the economy which could lead even to unrest and civil war,” he believed. 

Dewan Yousuf appealed to the Government of Sindh that the industries, having labour colonies in their vicinity, should be allowed to work after meeting the safety requirements. 

“The gated and guarded factories were functioning after taking all precautions. They had kept their gates closed and the public access was blocked. The labourers were working in safe environment as the temperature inside was more than fifty degrees. After being engaged in eight-hourly shifts they had the option of moving safely into their restrooms,” he stated. 

“Closing down such industries has had multiple negative implications. Besides incurring huge financial losses to the factory owners as well as the staff, this action has prompted the labourers to go back to their villages where they are more vulnerable to contracting Coronavirus,” Dewan Yousuf added. 

“We hope and pray that the situation is controlled inside a couple of weeks. If the lockdown lasts longer, it could be terrible as a lot of time may be needed to re-establish the cycle of production and we might not be in a position to pay the utility bills or the government taxes,” the former minister explained. 

“In the prevailing circumstances the Government of Sindh should take the necessary steps keeping all such factors in mind. They should not lose sight of the fact that the developed countries like USA and UK don’t necessarily have labour colonies in the vicinity of industries while the immunity system of our people is also known to be better than those of their citizens,” Dewan Yousuf reminded. 

He advised the government to allow the industries, having labour colonies, to resume their working in safe environment.