Staff Reporter
Book, “Coronavirus- Threat To National Security” written by Former Interior Minister, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior was launched by former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf here on Saturday. Due to the situation because of coronavirus when social distancing and isolation are being observed to control this deadly pandemic, the book was launched in a simple but highly impressive ceremony through video. The ceremony was also attended by renowned journalists.
The ceremony was commenced with recitation from holy Quran and national anthem. Senator A. Rehman Malik in his opening remarks welcomed the distinguished guests and briefed the audiences about the book. He said that the Novel Covid-19 has brought miseries and confusions within the states as the world has been cut up with this sudden shocking surprise.
He said that in the begging, the world took it lightly and treated it like a normal virus and it is also heartening that the experts and the concerned international authorities had not warned it’s multiplying growth in the world. He said that soon after the confirmation of first two cases in Pakistan, he called an emergency meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Interior on February 27th, 2020 and suggested a comprehensive National Action Plan on coronavirus containing 37 actions and measures to be taken on war footing to block the potential spread of the coronavirus in Pakistan.
The former Chairman Standing Committee on Interior expressed that he wishes the government had implemented those 37 point in letter and spirit. He said that he had suggested strict measures at airports and all entry points and had directed that no passenger should enter Pakistan without proper screening for Covid-19 and should not be allowed to leave for home but instead be quarantined for specific time.
The Ex-Interior Minister said that well on time he had suggested to close all the educational institutions, establish quarantine and isolation centres in each city and provide doctors, paramedics and all officials at airports with PPEs. He said that he had also suggested to immediately announce a task force like National Coordination Center for Covid-19 and enhance the testing capacity.
He said that things have got better since the National Coordination Center is established and have taken over the control to combat coronavirus.