Not letting our guard down

The coronavirus pandemic fatalities toll in Pakistan is still comparatively low at 21 deaths so far, especially compared to countries like China, Italy, Spain and the US. But this should not lull us into complacency since the number of cases is still rising and has crossed 1,500 so far, with Punjab now overtaking Sindh. In a press conference on March 27, 2020 after a meeting of the National Coordination Committee, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan spelt out the steps the federal government was taking to meet the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic. First and foremost, the federal government has lifted the ban on goods transport but the ban on public transport will continue. Food-related industries are to continue to function to ensure an adequate and uninterrupted supply of essential goods and discourage panic buying that has been in evidence in some areas, but factories must take all necessary precautions to prevent a spread of the pandemic. This is an inherently tough task since distancing in a work environment is not easy. Imran Khan compared Pakistan's situation favourably with countries like Italy, Iran and the US, but stated the federal government was preparing for the worst-case scenario of a possible sharp rise in the number of cases. This is wise since the experience of countries worst afflicted shows the tendency of the pandemic to acquire an exponential rise after a relatively slow start. However, on the question of contact with opposition leaders to forge a consensus countrywide on combating the pandemic, Imran Khan flatly refused and trotted out as justification his 'corruption' mantra. While admitting the failure of the federal and Balochistan governments to handle the influx of returning pilgrims from Iran at Taftan well, Imran Khan announced that gas prices would be kept stable, a relief fund set up to mitigate hardship amongst the poor, and a youth platform established called Coronavirus Relief Tigers (CRT) to provide food items at the doorstep of daily wage earners whose localities were sealed to prevent the spread of the virus. The only concern regarding the CRT is whether the country can provide sufficient protective equipment to the young volunteers to keep them safe from infection by the virus. The PM also appealed to Pakistani expats to donate generously to a fund being set up under the State Bank of Pakistan to bolster the country's foreign exchange reserves against any possible decline and the rise of the dollar vis-à-vis the rupee. Both trends have been seen in recent days and, with the economy bound to suffer because of the necessary lockdown, both these trends may continue. Next week, Imran Khan announced, a fund for monetary assistance to daily wage earners would also be set up, which would be in addition to the Ehsaas programme.
On the day PM Imran Khan spoke to the press, there were mixed reports of congregations in mosques for the Friday prayers. Although the clerics have by and large swung round to the necessity of curbing prayer congregations in mosques, this sentiment will receive a shot in the arm from Maulana Fazlur Rehman's endorsement of the call to avoid such gatherings. Meantime, the encouraging news is that China has sent a medical team and equipment to help Pakistan in its fight against the virus. What needs to be learnt from the experience of China and other countries is that mass testing is crucial but only of those carrying symptoms. This has proved critical elsewhere in helping flatten the curve of fresh infections to avoid the healthcare system being overwhelmed. The only other lacuna is the stubborn insistence of Prime Minister Imran Khan not to seek to take the opposition on board while laying aside his political positions in the interests of a holistic national effort so badly required. As it is, efforts, although positive, are still dispersed amongst the federal and provincial governments, amongst the latter the Sindh government's performance being praiseworthy. It should not be forgotten that the virus is no respecter of boundaries; it has flattened the world. What the crisis needs according to healthcare experts is a whole-of-government approach centering on prevention, detection, response and mitigation. Surely, the conjuncture facing the country today enjoins on Imran Khan the duty to help bring together all the country and its political forces to pull together and help the country face this enormous challenge.