Is Pakistan Taking Coronavirus (COVID-19) Too Lightly?


Pakistan is heading toward a coronavirus emergency, yet the response of PM Khan's government has so far been unsatisfactory. Experts say the country could face a huge catastrophe if the authorities don't act properly.

"What can we do about the coronavirus? One can die of a heart attack. Death is inevitable and it could come anywhere," a security guard at a super market in Karachi’s Clifton area told DW on Tuesday.
Other people DW spoke to in Karachi echoed more or less the same views.
Karachi is Pakistan's financial hub with a population of around 20 million people. Around 30 COVID-19 cases have so far been reported in the metropolis, and around 250 nationwide, out of which the southern Sindh province has reported more than 181. Authorities reported the South Asian country's first coronavirus-related death from Gilgit-Baltistan on Wednesday.
Experts say the coronavirus cases in Pakistan are steadily increasing, yet the authorities and the common people seem to be taking the issue lightly.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's televised address to the nation on Tuesday was a proof of an apparent complacency, analysts say. Khan said the cases were likely to increase further but there was no need to panic. He also refused to impose a partial lockdown in major cities to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, officially called the SARS-COV-2.
"If we shutdown the cities - people are already facing difficult circumstances - we will save them from corona at one end, but they will die from hunger on other side," Khan said. 
"We did consider shutting down cities when we were at 20 cases ... but I want to tell you all that Pakistan does not have the conditions that are in the United States or Europe. Our country has grave poverty."
Instead of announcing concrete measures to fight the pandemic, Khan urged the people to act responsibly.
Location: Pakistan

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PM Imran khan announces massive package for construction industry today

Image
ISLAMABAD :  In order to maintain the economic activity affected due to coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Imran Khan will announce a massive package for the construction industry today (Friday). Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad, Imran Khan said amid efforts of containing the coronavirus disease, the government would have to create a balance allowing the industries which were essential to provide employment to the poor people. He said the government would open up the construction industry as it did not involve any gathering. However, the government would specify the parameters of working, particularly at the site of mega projects to ensure the observance of social distancing. Prime Minister expressed the hope that country would overcome the coronavirus outbreak using its available resources, the Radio Pakistan reported. He stressed that the people should avoid going to the gatherings and adopt precautionary measures to stem the pandemic. To watch the live video click
Read more

Raid on Rashmika mandanna's House By Income Tax official.

Image
The income tax officials have conducted a search-and-seizure operation at actress Rashmika Mandanna's residence in Virajpet, Kodagu district in Karnataka, say media reports. A team of officials from Bengaluru are said to have landed up at her house at around 7:30 in the morning. However, there is no information about whether the actress was in the house or not, reported. The south film actress, popularly known as the 'Karnataka Crush', made her acting debut with the Kannada movie Kirik Party in 2016. So far, she has starred in eight feature films and has many more in her kitty. Her most recent film Sarileru Neekevvaru, opposite Mahesh Babu, is in the theatres now. At the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Rashmika said that she has been continuously working for three years without break and doesn't wish to do it again. "In the past three years, I have not taken a break. I have fallen sick four times in two months and this is the na
Read more

Iraq base attack: Coalition and Iraqi troops hurt as Taji targeted again.

Image
Three service personnel from the US-led coalition in Iraq and two Iraqis have been injured in a rocket attack on a military base north of Baghdad, the coalition has said. The Iraqi military said more than 30 rockets were fired at Camp Taji base. This is the second attack this week on the base. On Wednesday,  rockets killed two American troops and one British soldier there . The US responded with air strikes targeting an Iranian-backed militia. However, Iraqi officials say that Iraqi soldiers and policemen were killed in the strikes. The Iraqi military says the latest attack on Taji must not be used by the US as a pretext for any action without Iraq's approval. UK soldier killed in Iraq was 'larger than life' What is the future for US troops in Iraq? Taji base, about 15km (nine miles) north of Baghdad, hosts foreign troops from the US-led coalition, whose mission is to train and advise Iraqi security forces. Iraq's Joint Operation Command said 33 Kat
Read more