WITH deadly Coronavirus spreading and affecting more
and more people with the passage of every day, the
National Security Committee (NSC) has done well by devising a national strategy to deal with the growing threat. It has become a serious public health hazard not just in Pakistan but across the world as US President Donald Trump too announced a national emergency on Friday leading to allocation of $50 billion to combat the virus and, therefore, a comprehensive approach was needed to match national efforts with those of the global community.
The Government really deserves credit for taking preventive and other measures right from the very beginning to check spread of the virus and success of the approach is evident from the fact that the disease has not spread as fast as in other countries despite Pakistan being neighbour of China and Iran, two countries affected most from the virus. Closure of national borders and screening of all incoming passengers and visitors was one of the most effective strategies and this should have been followed much earlier as so far the virus has spread through Iranian or Afghan borders. The fact that no infected person came from China is also reinforces information that the neighbouring country has taken drastic but successful measures to contain the danger. The decision to close borders with Iran and Afghanistan and also with India except for Sikh Yatrees through Kartarpur Corridor (and this is understandable as visitors are kept in a specified area) would surely strengthen anti-virus arrangements. No doubt, closure of borders has economic consequences and implications but these have to be borne for the sake of health of the people as any widespread outbreak would force the country to spend more on treatment and prevention of spread of virus to new areas. It has also been decided that only three airports in the country — Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore — will be allowed to operate international flights, a move intended to reduce the entry points and ensure better arrangements there. The decision to hold remaining PSL matches without spectators is in line with the practice being followed elsewhere in the world. Closure of wedding halls and cinemas is also understandable but it would create problems for those who had previously scheduled their functions.
Closure of schools is also one of the preventive measures being adopted by most of the affected countries but it would obviously mean loss of precious study period for students. For obvious reasons, the NSC did not itself take any decision about banning religious congregations and instead has referred the matter to Minister for Religious Affairs and Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) tasking them to consult with all stakeholders and come out with their recommendations in this regard. Going by the fact that it would not be possible to place a blanket ban on gatherings as the authorities cannot force people not to visit markets, bazaars, hospitals, courts, hotels, bus and railway stations, offices, factories or attend funerals and other social gatherings. No doubt, the measures announced by the NSC would minimize the risks but would not eliminate them altogether. Therefore, instead of closing down schools or seeking cooperation of Ulema for restricting religious congregations, there should be more focus on borders and screening of suspects, otherwise there could be unnecessary fear, chaos and uncertainty in the country.
There should also be focus on awareness and in this regard the decision to start a media campaign to brief the public regarding Coronavirus prevention measures, combating misinformation and relaying facts to the people from a “central” source is also a step in the right direction. As closure of borders could result into shortage of food and essential items, the relevant ministries should take timely measures to ensure smooth availability of food items and medicines. It is also encouraging that seaports will remain functional, but screening measures there will be enhanced which will mean routine import-export activities that are vital for national economy. The Government should also take timely measures to ensure that all work on all projects under the umbrella of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) proceeds ahead as per schedule as their timely completion is directly linked to socio-economic development of Pakistan. Special measures are required for screening of Pakistani and Chinese nationals working on these projects.
