Challenges of Pakistan Day 2020

Pakistan Day is observed every year to commemorate the Lahore Resolution passed on 23 March 1940 and the adoption of the first constitution of Pakistan during the transition of the Dominion of Pakistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 23 March 1956, making Pakistan the world’s first Islamic Republic.

The Lahore Resolution, which went on to become the Pakistan Resolution, was presented by the Muslim League in which Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and other leaders called for establishing an independent federation, saying that Muslims in India wanted independence and a separate homeland and they were persecuted in India. Since 1956, the day is celebrated annually throughout the country as a public holiday. Various events mark the celebrations, the primary attraction is the Armed Forces military parade in which the provinces also contribute colourful floats depicting their culture.

Eighty years on, 2020 presents a grim situation. The Pakistan Day Parade has been cancelled due to the onset of Coronavirus. This is not the first time that Pakistan Day Parade had been cancelled. The Pakistan Day Parade was not held for seven years owing to the threat of terrorism from 2009 to 2015.

Apart from the threat of Coronavirus, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) and named COVID-19, there are other issues in Pakistan’s growth, which require mention. One would expect that eight decades would be enough for a nation to achieve maturity, a modicum of development and progress, but apparently Pakistan has been in a retrograde motion.

Terrorism, corruption, poor governance, mismanagement of resources and browbeating the media have been some of the pitfalls, which have marred Pakistan’s progress. The current incumbent in the corridors of power has been a major letdown, since the crises have aggravated.

As far as COVID-19 is concerned, the pandemic, which emanated in December 2019 in neighbouring China and called for insulating egress into Pakistan from affected areas, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other transit stops was mismanaged.

This scribe had contributed a comprehensive article in the same space in late January warning of the peril lying ahead but unfortunately, the oblivion of the government in handling the pandemic led to the deepening of the encounter with COVID-19.

The biggest hurdle to keeping the epidemic at bay is ignorance. Bringing hordes of pilgrims from Iran and huddling them together for quarantine only worsened the threat of infection, since isolation was not ensured.

People were not briefed on the hazards of the infection spreading through human contact, till it was too late.

There are actual cases of patients suspected of having contracted the disease, escaping from isolation wards and mingling with general population, spreading the disease. The government should have taken harsh measures of lockdown and even imposing curfew if required, but it is still straggling.

One step, which merits kudos is the visit of President Arif Alvi’s first visit to China after taking office, undertaken at a crucial juncture, when the Chinese government and people are striving for the final victory in fighting against COVID-19, demonstrating the special iron-clad friendship between China and Pakistan. The visit showcases China and Pakistan’s relationship as iron brothers. The main purpose of the visit was to demonstrate Pakistan’s support and confidence for Chinese friends, to show the international community the notable progress China has made in fighting the epidemic, and to showcase China’s positive contribution to global public health security.

The timely visit has deepened strategic mutual trust and consolidated practical cooperation between China and Pakistan undertaken at a special time and is of great significance and has effectively enhanced China-Pakistan traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation. In the course of jointly tackling COVID-19 and the plague of locusts, China and Pakistan have stood together and helped each other and there have been many touching stories.

It is this friendship, deeply cherished in people’s hearts that provides the most solid foundation for China-Pakistan relations and sets an example for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Pakistan would be better served to take a leaf of China’s book and take concerted decisions to manage the current crisis as well as enhance governance so that the next Pakistan Day is celebrated with aplomb and grandeur rather than misery and gloom.