MALIK M ASLAM AWAN
IT was the ending month of 2019 that an uproar echoed from China that its province Wohan has seen the outburst of a fast growing deadly epidemic,which grows from person to person contacts and rising panic has crippled social life, resultantly after well thought and versatile study of the deadly contagion lockdown was imposed, as the solitary and last solution to stall the ever rising epidemic. China is the biggest economy of the modern age and despite having mammoth resources to cope with the ever-rising contagion Covid-19, so many baffling issues cropped up to disturb its economy. There left no option, except the complete lockdown to restrict social life, the main cause of the spread of novel virus. Even foreigners, including students were not allowed to fly back to their own homelands, as China knew best that they may carry the virus to their innocent citizens. During stifling lockdown the restricted humanity was provided with necessary food and sustenance at their door step. Best medical facilities were made accessible to the locked citizenry. In case of threat to life rapid transit and access to hospitals within no time was ensured, resultantly the spread of epidemic — within three months — diminished to round the figure of zero. The travailing days of China have become a part of the past but the deadly Covid-19 has left indelible excruciating effects on the economy of China, it will have to refurbish its economy to regain the previous quantum and momentum. And it will surely be possible after long hectic efforts. After the outbreak of Covid-19 the world media resounded the risks and echoed enormously to awaken the world states — from biggest to the little — of the imminent risks but unfortunately Europe, Middle east, even India and eastern countries exhibited least vision to respond the severity of the impending disaster .WHO made repeated warnings to all countries to resort to precautionary measures but it could not attract world consciousness. International flights carried passengers to every nook and corner of the world, resulting in the rapid increase of the Covid-19,to put the humanity at horrendous risk. Fastly growing and rising number of victims in every country including Pakistan, India, America, UK, Canada along with the ever increasing death toll, has become the cause of widespread panic amongst citizens all over the world. America after Italy is considered the epicentre of Covid-19. Prince Charles and PM Boris Johnson of the UK, Canadian First along with other World dignitaries have been reported as Corona positive and it connotes that no person is above the reach of fast spreading Corona, it is the social activities of these dignitaries which made them vulnerable to the epidemic. How a common man is secure of it, is the most haunting perception. If Donald Trump, UK Premier had taken seriously the WHO’s clarion calls about timely precautionary measures, the rest of the world might had followed them to be a safe haven for humanity. In the early stages the epidemics have least dimensions to grow to be a serious menace. Now the menace has culminated as to invite complete lockdown. Prime Minister IK had rightly smacked the menace before the spread of contagion and announced vacation in educational institutions to make children and youth restrained from social life and being vulnerable to the virus, but the failure in comprehensive measures about the returning pilgrims from Iran and their isolation process became a great policy lacuna, which became the cause of rapid growth of deadly virus. Secondly international flights remained open till late and the returning persons carried the virus to spread and speedily multiply, as after arrival the pilgrims of Iran and returning Pakistanis due to lack of precautionary isolation strategy could not be determined about their immaculacy of the virus. This segment rehearsed social life and became the reason of multiplied virus. In the foregoing scenario the PM IK had no other option except to announce lockdown to thwart the spread of Corona. IK rightly says that Pakistan is a country of decrepit economy and limited resources. Merciless plundering of national kitty by the ruling elite as well as the bureaucracy have made the economy of Pakistan nose way down to earth. Both the segments looted national exchequer fearlessly, to the tune even to make it an empty bag. PM IK has announced relief package for the poor people which is highly appreciable decision. He is fully aware that daily earning people cannot afford such a worsened situation and in case of prolonged lockdown they would die of hunger and this situation may be more dangerous than the menace of virus. He is taking minute view of day to day situation of the country and imbibe the emerging experiences to wisely cope with the impending menace. He is determined to provide food and the items of daily use, in case — God forbids — the lock down is prolonged. Every true Muslim believes that he is to remain firm in his belief that God Almighty will surely wrap up the contagion with His countless blessings upon Muslims and the mankind. May we be able to revert to hold firmly the rope of Allah Almighty, the last way to success in this and the world Hereafter. —The writer is a freelance columnist and independent analyst based in Lahore
