Moving at a snail’s pace

LAHORE: In times of extreme emergency, the state is moving as if it has all the time in the world. We have to shield our citizens immediately from exposure to the coronavirus and ensure that people do not starve during lockdown.

The announcement of the formation of Tiger Force for distribution of food ration to the poor was made few days back when the lockdown was already in force (totally or partially) for over two weeks.

Its formation and then training would take some time and in the meantime the food starved families are moving from pillar to post to obtain some food.

In the process they are violating the concept of lockdown by creating commotions where alms are distributed. Thus, they are exposing themselves and others to viral infection.

Even in markets, banks and pharmacies the social distancing of three to six feet is ignored. Only Sindh government about a week back started sealing stores that ignored the social distancing concept.

By tolerating these violations, the government is ensuring that the agony of the public at large is prolonged.

This is because until we stop the spread of this menace it would not be possible to open the industries, educational institutions and business offices. The pain in the society would multiply if the economic activity remains subdued.

The confusion of the prime minister on lockdown is evident from the fact that the federal government has almost banned even jumma (Friday) prayers in mosques, but other gatherings and violations of social separations are being tolerated.

He says that complete lockdown would deprive the daily wagers of their livelihood - as if they would getting any work when the awareness about the deadly virus has frightened all affluent households. They have kept on hold their pending works. Most of the factories are closed.

Majority of the factories in the exporting sector, with the largest number of workers, have closed down because foreign buyers have put on hold all their pending orders. So the hardships started much before formal lockdowns in different provinces. The economic activities have almost stopped.

Except for food and pharmacies all the shops and processed food outlets were closed. Everyone is waiting for the virus to start retreating as it did in Wuhan in China after complete lockdown.

In Pakistan, new cases are emerging every day which thank God are not as alarming as in other countries. Still there is no let down in the spread of this virus. Without proper lockdown, we would prolong the agony. The world stopped all imports from China when the virus attack was first noticed.

Our exports stopped because the countries importing goods from us are severely impacted by the pandemic. Once they control the disease, they would start importing. At that time, they would prefer those countries where the virus threat has been eliminated. China, a successful model, would be the first to resume exports.

Pakistan would be considered only if we succeed in controlling its spread. We do not have to be complacent that COVID-19 is not spreading at the same pace in Pakistan as in Europe or United States.

Our aim should be to ensure that the number of new cases start reducing every day. Economic activities would resume in full swing once we get rid of this menace and a little ahead of the developed world because only then would we be prepared to penetrate their markets ahead of others.

Coronavirus is not just threatening human life, it is equally threatening for our economy. We lagged behind in economy because our political elite failed to come on one page in economic matters like the Bangladeshis, Indians or Vietnamese.

Now we are not on the same page when it comes to this virus threat, which needs cohesive national efforts to ensure health and safety of our population as well as our economy. One must commend the opposition that has shown inclination to fight this disease under a common platform. It is high time that the ruling party grab this opportunity for the sake of the nation’s wellbeing.

The lockdown is more effective in Sindh than other provinces where free movement on cars, motorcycles and even on foot are tolerated because there is dispute over lockdown between the provinces and the federal government.

The provinces influenced by PTI are showing lax attitude in this regard. We must be on one page to flatten the curve of disease spread.

Except for essential services all other activities should be stopped. Reviving construction sector at this moment would not yield the desired results. The labour, who mostly comes from rural areas, has gone back to their villages.