No more Tigers?
The Prime Minister’s Special Adivisor for Youth Affairs Usman Dar, according to Daily Express (18 April 2020), announced that some 1 million (10 lakh) young people had been registered as part of the Tiger Force to help with relief efforts in the Coronavirus pandemic. He added that registration was now closed.
Power of Dum
Daily Jang (19 April 2020) quoted federal railways minister Sheikh Rasheed as saying that he had performed ‘dum’ (ritual for protection or divination) and that had saved opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif from arrest.
Lockdown in Lahore
Daily Dunya (19 April 2020) reported that on the 26th day of the lockdown, Lahoris disregarded government regulations and came out on joyrides and family weekends. Residents suddenly hit the previously abandoned streets of the city and traffic levels jumped despite the imposition of Section 144.
Advice from Rana Sanaullah
Rana Sanaullah of the PML-N, according to Daily Dunya (19 April 2020), responded to Sheikh Rasheed’s recent statement by saying that he had revealed the way in which the government was operating. He wondered aloud as to whether it was the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) that decides who to take action against or whether the PM asked Sheikh Rasheed to do ‘dum’ on this matter. He further stated that Sheikh Rasheed ought to leave aside the arts of divination and focus on his railway ministry instead (Sheikh Rasheed ilm-e-najoom chorr kar Railway ki wazarat pe tawajoh dein).
Buzdar’s opposition woes
Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar, according to Daily Jang (19 April 2020), is of the view that while the whole world was faced with an extraordinary situation due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the opposition had played a negative role (manfi kirdar) in this whole process. He further stated that under the current government of PM Imran Khan, the largest programme of financial relief for the poorer segments of society was underway.