Islamabad: A Union minister in Pakistan got involved in a controversy on Tuesday when video clips surfaced in which his family members got Covid-19 Vaccine. People using the internet criticized the minister and alleged that his family members had vaccinated before their turn?
The video clip shows a nurse vaccinating the family members of Housing Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema, which appears to be a clear violation of government policy regarding Covid-19 vaccination. Cheema is a leader of the Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) and her party is an ally of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The vaccination campaign in Pakistan began on February 2 and included frontline workers as well as general health workers and people over 60 years of age.
The government changed it and broadened its scope on Tuesday to include people above the age of fifty years. In the video clip, people were seen doing thumbs up after getting vaccinated. Former model and television presenter Iftar Omar can also be seen in a video clip. Videos were posted on the Instagram account of a relative of Cheema, but this account has now been closed. It appears that she was turned down following criticism on social media.
After the video clip surfaced, people on social media reacted sharply and the people as well as journalists accused the minister of getting the vaccine without waiting for his turn. Journalist Meher Tarar said she hoped Cheema would apologize. He alleged that the minister, along with his family, committed unethical acts.
