What is hampering Pakistan’s fight against coronavirus?

Tahir Saeed, an owner of Pakistan‘s leading brand and husband of renowned fashion designer, Maria Butt was arrested by Police after he sent his coronavirus positive chef from Lahore to the chef’s hometown Vehari in Punjab.

Police accused Saeed of involvement in spreading the deadly virus because instead of helping the authorities place his chef in a quarantine center Lahore, he irresponsibly allowed the chef Omar Farooq to travel in public transport.

Police and medical practitioners now fear that Farooq may have exposed an untold number of people to COVID-19 disease contraction, even as the government tries to curb the spread.

Tahir was later released on bail after his wife Maria B, a fashion designer, made an emotional request to high-ups for intervention in a viral video. But many people have termed the behavior of the couple as an act of apathy and cruelty towards the society.

The arrest of the high-profile brand owner designer is just one in a spate of incidents that shed light on challenges Pakistan faces in containing the pandemic

Such lax attitudes on the part of the Pakistani society and the government have led to transmission of virus with the reported infections now over 1000, with the Sindh province having the largest number of cases.

In another incident, a person threw a party in north-western town of Mardan after returning from Saudi Arabia early this month. He died in the middle of March due to coronavirus infection. Tests of his fifty friends and relatives were conducted and around 40 persons were found to have contracted COVID-19 positive.

In yet another incident, tests in the Bhara Kahu area in the vicinity of capital, Islamabad revealed another 14 coronavirus positive persons through meetings.

Critics hold the government responsible in the first place, when two of its ministers were accused of allowing pilgrims return from Iran – the epicenter of coronavirus outbreak in the region – after they were placed in quarantine centers on the border.

The incidence of lax attitudes also extend to politicians when they violate the healthcare advice. Shahbaz Sharif, a leader of Pakistan Muslim League political party flew into Pakistan to a warm welcome by a crowd of supporters, provoking criticism on social media platforms that he did not care about people getting exposed to the dangerous virus.

Besides, other social attitudes like disregard for social distancing, and attendance at religious gatherings, are also making the country’s task to halt the spread of the virus more difficult.

Then there is the lack of healthcare facilities and testing kits in urban and rural areas of the country that retard prevention efforts.

Poverty is another big factor that sees many laborers leave their homes to earn enough money to meet daily expenses.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has also faced criticism for not working on war footing to deal with the crisis, and not locking down the country. He has defended the decision not to impose curfew-like lock down citing rampant poverty which forces people go out for a living every day.

This week PM Khan took some major steps and announced concessions and tax refunds for exporters and businessmen to help mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the South Asian nation.  The Central Bank has already cut down interest rate by 150 basis points.

Most parts of Pakistan are presently under lock down to help stop the spread of the coronavirus-induced diseases  that has been declared pandemic by the World Health Organization.  

The government has approved the stimulus package to help the poor and business community. “We have allocated Rs 200 billion for laborers and we will immediately release Rs 100 billion tax refunds to exporters and industry,” the prime minister said.

The package also looks after small and medium businesses and set aside  another amount of Rs 100 billion along with concessional loans.

Other stimulus steps include an additional amount of Rs 50 bn for the Utility Stores, Rs 280 bn for the wheat procurement, slashing of petrol and diesel prices by Rs 15 per liter for which the government would have to bear the burden of Rs 75 bn. An amount of Rs 100 bn will deal with the emergency situation.

Additionally, power consumers using 300 units and gas users with Rs 2,000 monthly bills would be facilitated to deposit their bills through three monthly installments. A sum of Rs 50bn was also allocated for the medical staff. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) would get Rs 25 bn for purchase and procuring of kits under the plan.

The vulnerable families who were bearing the brunt of the difficult time, would be provided monthly allowance under Rs 150 bn period for a period of four months.

Along with these steps, ministries of health at national and provincial levels have launched public awareness campaigns, urging people to avoid crowded places and stay home.

While the government has done well with the launch of the package to provide relief to the affected communities, it is the society that has to adjust to restriction on the way of life through adherence to social distancing and public awareness. Sooner the people realize that prevention is better than cure and adjust their lives accordingly, the better it would be for everyone in the age of coronavirus.