Several developments reported by media on Monday clearly indicated that the country has, at last, started simplementing an aggressive strategy to check the rapid spread of Covid-19. According to DG, ISPR Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar Pakistan Army troops have reached every corner of the country to help civil institutions in implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) against the Corona Virus while the Sindh government has taken drastic measures to tackle third wave of the pandemic. Luckily, as per statement of the Health Ministry Pakistan has not yet reported a new ‘Indian strain’ of the Corona Virus – a ‘double-mutant’ variant – considered to be responsible for recent steep spike in infections in India.
The main reason behind continued deterioration of the situation was laxity of the citizens to implement SOPs and flat refusal of some segments of the society to cooperate in efforts to contain the virus.
That the Army was working under a well-thought out strategy is evident from the fact that it has made enhanced deployment in sixteen cities where positivity rate was high, expressing determination that it will use all its capabilities to take every possible step for protection of citizens and their lives.
To counter propaganda by some vested interests, Maj Gen Babar categorically stated that primary responsibility for the implementation of precautionary measures against the Corona Virus and law & order situation lay with civil institutions and Pakistan Army would fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies as emergency responders to control the spread of the pandemic.
Appreciably, Pakistan Army has decided not to claim any sort of internal security allowance during the deployment signalling it as a national duty to help overcome this crisis in a selfless manner.
On the other hand, Sindh government, once again, is taking the lead in initiating measures to combat the virus proactively.
It decided on Monday to impose a ban on inter-provincial transport, closed educational institutions, slashed government offices staff by 80 percent and more importantly decided to purchase two oxygen plants, one of which would be airlifted from China.
The decision to procure oxygen plants is timely and the Federal Government ought to come out of a state of indecision and take prompt measures to ensure increased production of oxygen, as mere diversion of industry share to health sector would not help much in given scenario.
The decision to rehabilitate oxygen plant of Pakistan Steel is also a step in the right direction and this should be done on priority basis.
