ZAHEER BHATTI
WHERE the deadly virus has forced the G-20 countries to inject $ 5 trillion into the global economy as part of economic measures to counter the recession effects of the Corona outbreak, the donor agencies must seriously contemplate providing effective relief to some of the already worst hit economies of the world including Pakistan. IMF, the World Bank and the ADB must realize that they will need to do so because if there are no borrowers left to survive, who will they lend to keep their business going. The news that the World Bank and ADP have lowered the Grand Domestic Product (GDP) target for Pakistan from 2.4 to 1.1may be welcome but the World Bank inking a 200 million dollar loan for Pakistan to deal with the Covid-19, ought to have declared it to be interest-free if not a donation as a humanitarian gesture. Pakistan should pluck courage at this juncture to take bold decisions like declining borrowing with mark-up from donor agencies, and urge their compassion instead to defer re-payments, waive off interest and write-off some of the loans while welcoming donations.
It is discomforting though to learn that Pakistan at home has either failed to utilize its annual health outlay equal to 650 million dollars to ramp up medical facilities in the country, or deliberately allowed it to lapse because most of the health schemes the amount was earmarked for were initiated by the rival N-League. But notwithstanding the curse of internal squabbling, Pakistan already faced with the uphill task of reviving its economy is forced to take some calculated risks to keep afloat amid the faceless pandemic; such as allowing the construction industry to resume functioning and revive other essential manufacturing units. One presumes though, that strict SOPs for their functioning would also be devised so as to ensure safe distancing and protective precautions of the huge working class dependent upon these Industries for their livelihood. But the Government which is seized of providing for Pakistanis below poverty-line is merely blaring out warnings and requests over the media with little effect upon that very segment which has no access to these media or being mostly illiterate are failing to recognize danger of physical proximity. The leadership instead ought to mobilize the tens of thousands ofMosque Imams and Mohalla elders, to fan out in their respective localities and chasten people over social distancing quoting from sayings (Ahadees) of the Holy Prophet; the only source which is most likely to impact them for essential precaution against the invisible pandemic. The unbridled Corona being a mild warning from Providence to mankind which has gone astray, has reportedly barely within a 100 days, already made Donald Trump listen to recitation from the Holy Quran several times, his biblical advisor declaring to his Cabinet that the Corona virus was reflection of God’s annoyance with His creation which must seek his mercies by making amends in their conduct or else nothing shall remain; reverberation of the Muslim call to prayer ‘Azaan’ in Cordova after 500 years, the Vatican City re-playing recitation of Sura-e-Rehman from the Holy Quran for an entire day; the Italian Prime Minister expressing helplessness despite all worldly resources and awaiting Heavenly assistance; half of Europe having knelt for forgiveness.
But the boastful Hinduvta superiority claimant Narender Modi despite acknowledging that God is benevolent and merciful, and that the Holy Prophet (SAW) is the messenger of peace, continues lockdown in India-occupied Muslim Kashmir for over 250 days as of now and has forced a domicile law upon the State designed to turn Muslim majority into a minority in its occupied territory, and leaving its caged population without medical supplies in this moment of human predicament. Modi’s acknowledgment of the Omnipotent also looks meaningless when his BJP leader Subramanian Swamy spouts venom against Muslims in India declaring them inferior to Hindus in contempt of their own Constitution encompassing equality of all citizens. Netanyahu’s usurpation of Palestinian land and Trump supporting his sinister moves while refusing to lift sanctions against Iran; do they all hear no cries of the besieged, oppressed and the deprived, despite the invisible Corona hitting entire mankind in a matter of a few days and bringing these demi-gods on earth helplessly down on their knees seeking God’s mercies! One wonders if they would ever learn if not now. Man has been referred as an opportunist in the Quran; submitting to God and seeking his mercies when in trouble, but reverting to its misdeeds sooner its tribulations are over.
Pay heed; lest we all are made to perish and be replaced by another set of living beings, for all to be ultimately held accountable in the Hereafter as ordained in the Holy Scriptures. Mankind, but has the option only to wish that the inevitable be delayed so that it could make amends and be ready to answer in the hope to pass the test. But are we, particularly the Muslim Ummah which has chosen to be subservient to and sought shelter under the frail wings of these demi-gods, prepared to revert to the Quran which we recite only as a ritual rather than follow its divine teachings! Where the Ummah has brazenly trampled its standard norms, championing women rights and freedom of mind, body and soul in aping the West leading the Providence-ordained weaker sex to promiscuousness and exhibition of her body, the entire humanity today ironically is forced to maintain a measured distance from each other leave alone touching; again a warning, more to the followers of the ultimate faith who have today been denied to congregate across the globe but more specifically in Kaaba-t-ullah the House of God and Masjid-e-Nabvi the eternal resting place of last of the Prophets (SAW)to which Ummah has always yearned to pay physical homage, but ironically a flock of birds; one of His countless creations replacing wayward man to take the rounds ‘Tawaaf’ of Kaaba.
—The writer is a media professional, member of Pioneering team of PTV and a veteran ex Director Programmes.
