In times of a pandemic breakout, citizens look up to their government for direction. But in Pakistan, the Imran Khan government has no plan and no direction to deal with the coronavirus, or COVID-19. In fact, Pakistan’s 70-year-old president Arif Alvi even visited China, at a time when everyone is avoiding the country. He even shook hands, a gesture that is akin to an invitation to death in these times. Why? To display Pakistan’s solidarity with its BFF. He was the first head of state to visit Beijing after the coronavirus outbreak.
While claiming to learn from the Chinese way of handling the crisis, there is no on-ground action in Pakistan that supports the claim.
China locked down several cities, including Wuhan — the epicentre of the outbreak — in Hubei province and banned travel to contain the spread of coronavirus. But in Pakistan, even after a significant surge in the number of positive COVID-19 cases, there is no government order to lock down the affected areas. There are no travel restrictions.
In fact, the Imran Khan government thinks that allowing international flights “only” at Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore airports, which are the bigger cities, is some kind of a foolproof way to stop the virus spread, knowing fully well that the screening process for passengers is faulty and there is no facility to quarantine those affected.
Out of the total 296 coronavirus cases, the southern province of Sindh is the worst hit with 208 positive cases.
Also read: For Pakistani men, Aurat March is the real coronavirus
Source of Pakistan’s worry
This sudden surge is due to the negligence of the Imran Khan government, which didn’t properly test and quarantine thousands of pilgrims arriving from Iran in the border city of Taftan, Balochistan. The pilgrims were packed together in unhygienic tents without medical facilities and access to clean bathrooms. Unsurprisingly, it became a nursery for coronavirus. Sindh officials shared how most of the newer cases were of travellers coming from the so-called quarantined zone in Taftan. This is how lack of seriousness and the absence of any sound policy bears fruit.
Or it has stopped the virus reaching to millions?
Quarantine at taftaan restricted and limited people and made all of us know each areas people there
If set loose when no provinces had any idea and facilitation for quaranteene..imagine what could have happened!@KhurramHusain https://t.co/r0KFUsTINH
— Jam Kamal Khan (@jam_kamal) March 17, 2020
But for Prime Minister Imran Khan, nothing was amiss. In his address to the nation on the issue of coronavirus, he paid rich tributes to the Balochistan government and the Pakistan Army for their work at Taftan. If the plan is to win the fight against coronavirus with delusion, then, like the 1971 war, we might have won the COVID-19 war already.
World leaders are telling people that COVID-19 pandemic is a serious problem and they must remain extra cautious — that there is a cause for worry. Even at home, Sindh chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has been sharing numbers and telling people that they need to worry — remain indoors as much as possible.
But PM Imran Khan can say with extreme casualness: “Aap ne ghabrana nahi hai (don’t panic)”. Only 3 per cent of people tested positive, who are old and already have multiple health issues, are mostly at risk — the remaining 97 per cent people recover, the PM argued. So, citizens above 65 or those younger — but with various health conditions — don’t have a reason to worry, right?
Also read: For 20 yrs, Imran Khan had a dream. When he became PM, we got goats, cows & broken economy
Not learning from others
One fails to understand why the government hasn’t sought proactive help of the military yet, when the National Institute of Health is headed by a Major General. Countries like India, Canada and United States have all used their military bases for quarantine facilities; both the UK and the US are relying on their armies to set up field hospitals. But the Pakistan government has no clear policy for its army either. Downplaying the severity of coronavirus seems to be the only strategy here.
Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran have banned group prayers in mosques. But in Pakistan, the Friday Jumma prayers will likely continue. Despite the warning that Pakistan could be following in Italy’s footsteps if public gatherings aren’t avoided, there is no push from the government to ban these large congregations. Instead, Punjab CM Sardar Usman Buzdar is meeting Ulemas and assuring them that mosques won’t be closed. Shia clerics have vowed to continue their religious gatherings and shrine visits, because according to them, congregations heal people, not infect them.
Barelvi cleric Muhammad Ashraf Asif Jalali is confident of holding an All Pakistan Sunni conference in Lahore on March 21: “No one can get sick except as per the will of God. If anyone gets infected with coronavirus due to our conference, then (the Pakistan government) should hang me.” That’s coronavirus 101 for us all.
#Barelvi cleric Asif Ashraf Jalali @TheDrJalali: We shall hold All Pakistan Sunni conference in Lahore on March 21. No one can get sick except as per the will of God. If anyone gets infected with #coronavirus due to our conference, Pakistan govt should hang me. pic.twitter.com/lu4WKjj0ES
— SAMRI (@SAMRIReports) March 15, 2020
Defence Minister Pervez Khattak confidently declared that coronavirus is under control in Pakistan, because the government had banned all public gatherings and political rallies. He said this while addressing one such ‘banned’ public rally in Nowshera. Now we know how ‘under control’ coronavirus is in Pakistan.
Also read: Saudi Arabia halts pilgrimage to Mecca, Medina amid coronavirus fears
Loudmouths and desi remedies
There is one PTI minister, Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, who is telling us that coronavirus is god’s punishment just like disabled children are the punishment for the misdeed of their parents.
Punjab provincial information minister fayyaz chohan says Fayyaz says children with disabilities are a punishment from God for the parents, links disability and disability of children with wrongdoing and corruption by parents. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/k3zbwWcJfn
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) March 17, 2020
The same minister has also promised to beat coronavirus like we beat terrorism in Pakistan. Now how many decades that would take, he didn’t mention.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advisory is to test, test and test. PM Imran Khan’s advisory is: don’t run to the hospital for tests, just sit at home and wash your hands. Yes, prevention is important, and the biggest weapon against coronavirus we have, but it can’t substitute testing. Two months late for the awareness campaign too, as many think.
World leaders are looking at ways to treat, cure or take precaution against coronavirus but it is only Imran Khan who wants Pakistan’s debt written off. All in the garb of coronavirus. He is telling the world that Pakistan won’t have money if the situation goes out of hand and yet he is funding ventures at home for his own self-promotion. How does that work in a health emergency? It wants to beg the world but when asked to be part of SAARC on COVID-19, it goes in the ‘Kashmir Banega Pakistan’ mode. That too on the shoulders of health advisor Zafar Mirza, whose is accused of smuggling 20 million face masks.
When it comes to desi remedies for curing coronavirus, Balochistan CM Jam Kamal Khan has been kind to share forwarded-as-received corona cure: Gargle with salt and vinegar. His photoshopped image of leading a meeting on coronavirus is reason enough to take his high stature seriously.
— Jam Kamal Khan (@jam_kamal) March 14, 2020
And on social distancing, Fawad Chaudhry has the last word: “Humen are not programmed for Quarantine and our dependence on eachother is a precondition of Society and life,Isolation is only a very short term measure, salvation of human race depends on Science and Scientists how quickly they can respond to challenge #CoronavirusOutbreak.”
We wonder what we would do if Chaudhry hadn’t given us this earth-shattering information.
The author is a freelance journalist from Pakistan. Her Twitter handle is @nailainayat. Views are personal.
Dear Naila
Say what you may coz everyone has a right to have opinions. Your roundup of ALL the faults n flaws of govt. could be right but then what will you say about Italy, which is the 2nd worst hit country at the moment. Is that also IK’s fault. What about Canada’s First Lady. Is she also a nerd. USA has allowed flights from some European countries, so following your opinions, Trump has also lost his senses.
Please you dont need to go to such lengths to be biased.
Can some delete this article. Almost everything written is so untrue.
This is your mistake you didn’t listen to IK, you took only the portions you like. He came up with 5 precautionary steps. He presented the measures to adapt in upcoming days, at the same times he also said don’t worry_ being elder, to clam and soothe down not to petrified others.
Good piece as it helps put things in proper perspective as far as fight against Corona in Pak goes. It is really surprising how Pak leaders are taking this scare so lightly- wonder what does Pak public think of their leaders and rulers. Given the way how Corona is severely testing health infra of all the developed societies, laughing it off is the only thing that Pak leadership is capable of doing. Feel sad for Pakistani public but guess this is all their destiny.
Dr. Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala, representative of WHO in Pakistan says:
“Pakistan’s response to coronavirus among world”‘s best.”
Give yourself satisfaction by writing such articles.
Totally biased very far from reality.
I have never read such biased crap befofe
Biased godi media’s article. India better focus on its own people’s wellbeing rather than anti-Pakistan propaganda as this will never yield any good for the people of India but you’re simply wasting your effort in vain like India’s dreams in Afghanistan. This is not a surprise artical as Indian media is infiltrated with RSS culprits
Desert cult followers are terrorists…
Poor article. Totally bias and against the government.
Is there any report button here for spitting shit.. Totally biased…. Far from reality
Seems like anybody can be a journalist/writer nowadays. Unprofessional and poorly written. Find something better to do s writing is clearly not your forte.
No proper Facts and Figures mentioned just bad mouthing the government.
Even WHO were happy when they visited Pakistan but may be you know more then the world health organisation. It look like you hava a personal vendetta against the current Govt. You don’t know the ground realities if we put everything on lockdown then half of the people might die from hunger if the other half survive covid 19.
Ill informed & seemingly a paid effort.
The fact remains that both Pakistan & India are faring much better than others….It may be because of hot weather that is a fast approaching in this region or perhaps higher immunity of these two nations as the people are used to live in worst possible conditions all the time. President Alvi shaking hands with Chinese when nobody else in the world do is both Brave and symbolic !!!
This article is completely bias.
The government is doing its best to stop the spread of conora virus in Pakistan, public places are closed.
You should check your facts before writing an article like this.. Karachi is locked down and everyone is working from home..
Seems like pml n has paid for this article , shame on u
Lmao we all have to die eventually. Just take precautions this is all we can do.
No wonder it’s Indian website…indian news equals fake, biased news
Extremely poorly written without any research. For starters Pakistan has been lauded by WHO for taking the best response against the coronavirus in the whole world. After this I don’t think anything else needs to be said. The author has a history of writing against Pakistan without facts. The readers are not stupid as the writer herself and can read about everything themselves on the internet.
Meanwhile, I’m sure the author is resorting to the fantastic GaoMutra medicine from the country she is straight out supporting so much.
Hahahaha. Your article is soo funny.. Purely showing some RSS terrorist wrote it without knowing the truth and ground realities..
You guys are always in such a hurry to post some shit that you don’t even do your home work properly.
The government is doing very well. The writer is biased or perhaps a paid propaganda agent who only wants to defame Pakistan. What do you expect from the head of the state ? To demoralize his people when they are already struggling from so many other issues ?
Poor thinking of author. Biased
Author either from India or opposition party.
What do you expect from a freelancer journalist
All the information in this article is wrong I think the writer don’t know ground realities. He just wrote against Pakistan for his own agenda.
Really poor artical and far away from reality ,Stop watching Indian new channel so you can see also the good thing that are happening for the protection from the coronavirus in Pakistan.
Very poorly written with baseless, negative mentality.
Extremely biased , WHO has praised Pakistan in taking timely measures n yeah Pakistan kept it at Bay for a reasonably good amount of times thanks to our gov policies n currently it is spreading extremely slow as compared to other countries around the globe. One should think before spreading hopelessness in such a scenario. It’s shameless
Biased article trying to defame Pakistan and Pakistani Government
Instead of subjective prejudice the writer could have and should have opted for objective and realistic analysis. Far from facts and ground realities
Full of lies wondering How such person is allowed to publish his/her fake stories
Instead of subjective prejudice the writer could have and should have opted for objective and realistic analysis
Author has a loser mindset..
Anti pti person. he wrote only for his publicity. So called journalist.
please try to inform people with reality rather than giving them biased information just for clicks
Biased article, at least try to restrain yourself from the personal animosity you may have for the Government. How about showing BJP minister recommending cow piss as a remedy and claiming corona came from pakistani donkeys exported to china?
This is truly biased. The reality is exact opposite to this, all sectors have been locked down. There are quarantine sectors next to each airport and Taaftan border. Author is either not well prepared or spreading Pakistan as false image.
I am as much against the government (and believe me, I am!) but some of your arguments are just baseless. For example, yes the president went to China but what you may not know is that China has almost fully removed coronavirus from their country. Apart from that, provincial governments are doing pretty decent in banning public gatherings etc. –
P.S a country with its economy in shambles can only do so much
Things are actually pretty strict here in Lahore. People are being careful yet not panicking. Its a good balance.
However large gatherings, Religious or otherwise should really be avoided these days.
good report given as the same is the careless attitude of political leaders for public
All lies in one article.
People can check WHO reports …
Government is going good for the awareness crona I think pakistan 90% paplation having resistance power so pakistan face 1% problem inshalla
Sindh government is sooo concerned… Still the people there are most effected….when your people are like piyaz kha lo, baal ka pani pi lo, or jali chat lo…. What change one can bring…. If Ask them to stay indoors, They get bored and go out for a smoke when they know they are positive for Corona…. No one can do anything for them…. ALLAH IS REHAM KARYE
These people are coming from iran mostly or from foreign countries. There is strict monitoring that’s why sindh government is able to identify infected people timely.
Very poorly written and not researched properly. In such times, the article should be proofread and authenticity must be guaranteed. Very disappointing to read. Having worked as a journalist initially and then a subeditor, the publication is just as much to blame in my opinion.
It sounded more like bitching about government and had zero research involved. How you became a writer, is beyond my understanding
You may Prinntttt anything…You may put Anything to Prinnnt….The Truth shall get Prinnnted one Day…..lol..Print Shit same as Arnab Goswami…Bullshot 🙂
Only worry is Kashmir. Immune from all other things.
I think you have a beef with Imran Khan..ok..if nothing is being done then I suggest you spend your billions of dollars to feed the masses who will not have any money to survive this man made financial meltdown..
Poorly written.
Biased article .. far from ground realities…
Government is running a good awearness campaign to safe it’s citizen..
All public places are locked down..
Cases are still in control..
1 death is reported. .
Writer intentionally stigmatising the Pakistan …
Well that is not true at all cities are being locked down and the government is running a campaign related to Corona virus. Pak Army is giving free medical treatment and free medical tests for Corona virus. What else do you want. Unlike India we are doing something. India on the other hand is saying that cow urin and cow poop can cure Corona virus. This shows the difference between Pakistan and India.
Well that is not true at all cities are being locked down and the government is running a campaign related to Corona virus. Pak Army is giving free medical treatment and free medical tests for Corona virus. What else do you want. Unlike India we are doing something. India on the other hand is saying that cow urin and cow poop can cure Corona virus. This shows the difference between Pakistan and India. I would say we are far better than India in this situation.
Sure. How ignorant are Indians that 43 of their doctors got infected by not properly following the guidelines provided by WHO
Oh mind your own business Pakistan has taken sufficient steps schools , universities colleges are closed exams have been postponed police and other civil departments are on high alert they are working hard and people also are awared about danger. You should criticise your own BJP racist govt on very low test ratio. Also you should write an article on cow urine party arranged by RSS and BJP MP singing go Corona go song…… I am amazed that you can’t be satisfied untill indulging us in your matters…….. Mind your own business and the whole world is in crisis……. So go back and aware your people about corona…. kab tak PAKISTAN Ka naam lekr apny logoo ko dhoka dety raho Gy…..
To all those Pakithani’s spreading fake news about India in the comment section (Govt promoting Cow urine, 43 Indian doctors infected etc) to people calling this article biased, lies without going through their own mainstream news outlets or googling the facts.
1. India has eradicated Polio, Pakisthan hasn’t.
2.Pakithani’s seek medical visa’s to be treated in India, not the other way around.
3.Carona is spreading through Pakithan at a rapid rate.
For those who think you are safe because some guy from WHO praised your PM, start counting the exponentially increasing number of causulties in your country. Some wierdos from our side of the border might take cow urine but you all have cow dungs inside your heads.
PS: ThePrint, I wonder what sort of articles you write to attract such a fan following from the other side of the border. They smoke some fine quality weed as well.
How stupid you are