Federal govt failed to play its role in coronavirus crisis: Murtaza Wahab.

KARACHI -- The federal government has failed to play its role in dealing with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the spokesperson for the Sindh government said Sunday, as the tally of people infected by the virus rose above 1,500, with Punjab leading the number of cases at 570.

Speaking to media, Senator Murtaza Wahab, the spokesperson, said neither the centre nor the other provincial governments responded to the recommendations as per the Sindh government's expectations.

"The federal government, unfortunately, did not take the lead like it was supposed to," Wahab said. "The government of Sindh tried engaging with the federal government and put forth recommendations to it and the provincial governments but the response was unfortunately not what we were expecting.

"Border control is the federal government's responsibility, not the provinces'," he added. "It was the federal government that was responsible to monitor and quarantine the zaireen [pilgrims from Iran]."

Explaining lockdowns, he said it did not mean banning essential items but offered to step up once again to help explain what was required.

"If the entire country decides today to regulate [a lockdown], we, the Sindh government, can explain and guide in detail what categories are exempted," the senator noted, adding that although only train operations were suspended on the...