LAHORE: In a reference to the appointment of retired Lt-Gen Asim Bajwa as special assistant to the prime minister (SAPM) for information, the Pakistan People’s Party says it has exposed the real face of the ‘selected’ democracy.

“The selected democracy’s real face has begun to be exposed as the owners of big house (a euphemism for the military establishment) have practically begun their advancement towards power corridors,” says South Punjab chapter President Makhdoom Ahmed Mahmood.

He says in a statement here that it’s bad luck for the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf that it is facing crises because of its own ‘follies’ and ‘flawed’ policies.

Chiding the PTI for what he says wrong interpretation of the 18th constitutional amendment, the former Punjab governor says the federal government cannot absolve itself of devising a comprehensive strategy to counter Covid-19 pandemic or any other national crisis.

He regrets that instead of working in coordination with the federating units, the federation “is attempting to sabotage the good work done by the Sindh government for curtailing coronavirus spread”.

“It’s perhaps for the first time in the national history that the federation and prime minister are dissociating themselves from the federating units as the 18th amendment empowers provinces and doesn’t give a leeway to the federation to absolve itself of all responsibilities.”

The PPP leader laments that at a time when there’s a war-like situation in the country the federal government is talking of the 18th amendment and questions if the constitutional revision has limited the federation’s role then how come it is controlling the National Disaster Management Authority, and why there is federal health secretary.

He holds the prime minister responsible for ambiguity on the lockdown issue saying the premier’s statements are giving the impression as if the country is not independent in making decisions for the protection of the citizens.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2020