News Analysis |
Sardar Usman Buzdar, Chief Minister of Punjab, is facing public backlash for his allegedly lavish lifestyle. Yesterday a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Mian Nasir submitted a call attention notice in the Punjab Assembly over the death of a minor girl at Mian Channu’s Tehsil Headquarters Hospital during the visit of CM Buzdar there the other day.
The notice held the CM responsible for the death of the girl. Due to the protocol of the CM, doctors neglected the child, the notice reads. The notice also added that those who were “chanting the mantra of ending protocols” have now “become killers”. “It is the height of cruelty that the chief minister arrived to inquire about the health of the child after her demise,” the PML-N leader claimed.
Khawar was also believed to have misbehaved with the officials. The officer was later directed to visit Maneka Dera, Khawar’s residence, and tender an apology to him for intercepting the vehicle.
But the PTI official contended this claim and uploaded a video in which a child can be seen lying in the lap of her mother who is also being administered a drip. “The same mother who some media outlets say was not let inside with her child, and the child was unable to get treatment is in photos right behind CM Punjab; child with an IV in her hand, getting treated. Can any media channel explain this, caught on someone’s phone?,” the PTI official tweeted.
Read more: Usman Buzdar in hot waters in first few weeks as CM
The same mother who some media outlets say was not let inside with her child, and the child was unable to get treatment is in photos right behind CM Punjab; child with an IV in her hand, getting treated. Can any media channel explain this, caught on someone’s phone? #CMPunjab pic.twitter.com/gGYvyzMAHP
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 28, 2018
The mother of deceased had earlier claimed that protocol officers of CM Punjab had denied her entry to the hospital. Later the family alleged that their daughter, a Thalassemia patient, had expired because doctors at the hospital were busy attending chief minister during his visit to the hospital. However, the hospital administration rejected the impression that the girl had died due to their negligence.
Read more: Is CM-elect Usman Buzdar a poor choice? Probably yes!
They said that the condition of the girl was already critical and she was given the treatment but to no avail. As a matter of fact, Sardar Usman Buzdar has been found in troubled waters since the day he was nominated by the Prime Minster Imran Khan for the slot of CM. Initially, Mr. Buzdar was reportedly involved in a murder case, tax evasion and accused in a NAB case. The allegations were, however, rejected later on.
The notice also added that those who were “chanting the mantra of ending protocols” have now “become killers”. “It is the height of cruelty that the chief minister arrived to inquire about the health of the child after her demise,” the PML-N leader claimed.
Just three days ago, the CM was allegedly found responsible for the transfer of a DPO who dared to stop the ex. husband of first lady Ms. Bushra Maneka. According to media reports, the DPO of Pakpattan Mr. Rizwan Gondal was immediately transferred and made Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for allegedly stopping Khawar Maneka. On August 23, it was reported that a police team led by DPO Rizwan Omar Gondal briefly intercepted Khawar’s car after he didn’t stop when signaled by the police to do so. Khawar was also believed to have misbehaved with the officials. The officer was later directed to visit Maneka Dera, Khawar’s residence, and tender an apology to him for intercepting the vehicle.
According to media reports, the DPO told a meeting called by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar that the police department had only fulfilled its duties and that he won’t apologize to Khawar. Shortly after, the officer was transferred and asked to report to Central Police Office (CPO) in Lahore.
Read more: CM Punjab: A simple man with ‘lavish style’
CM Punjab using Helicopter for his Personal Visits
According to media reports, Mr. Buzdar took the official helicopter of the provincial government to Mian Chanu so that he could extend his condolences to his friend Malik on the latter’s father’s death. It is quite astonishing for many people in the province that despite repeated claims of honesty and professionalism, the CM Punjab has been found following the old traditions.
Can Politicians avoid Protocol in Pakistan?
It is debatable whether the protocol can be avoided in Pakistan or not. There is no clear distinction between the required security of a senior official like a CM or PM and the protocol being given to high-profile personality. War on terror has badly affected the social and political order of the country. Senior officials do face some serious security problems across the country. In such a situation where violence can take place and can be a reason of some heavy loss, it is not viable, argue analysts, to avoid due security measures.
Moreover, those working on class-structure of Pakistan point out that for people like Mr. Usman Buzdar who are trained in a peculiar social context, feudalistic, it is hard to avoid protocol and assertiveness. It is yet to be seen how PM Khan will deal with his aides having feudal mentality, contradicting his own vision of Naya Pakistan, in the coming days.