01: Of the Governments' response against the outbreak of Corona Virus

Of the Governments' response against the outbteak of Corona Virus

Hardly anyone can deny the veracity of the cliches that extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures, and that uneasiness lies the head wearing the crown. Its simple connotation goes like; it is the prime responsibilty of those at the helm of affairs (the government) to assess, anlyze and take timely and appropriate measures in the face of an impending crisis. But what is happening here, completely defies this connotation.

  Conversely, evasive tendencies, confused policies and an unexplained inertia on the part of PTI led government have led the crisis from getting bad to worse viz; fight aginst the Corona virus. The cardinal strategies like coherence among all core functions, clarity of purpose and unity of direction are nowhere to be seen, which are otherwise regarded as of paramount importance in tackling a crisis like situation by any administration.

 The concern of the Sindh government regarding easing the lockdown by the federal government is quite genuine and shows exactly how a responsible government should act in the larger public interest even at the cost of its potential political backlash. There is no denying the fact that taking unpopular pro-people decisions is always an uphill task. The Sindh government has considerably fared good here. 

  Contrary to this, the PTI led government in the federal capital and other provinces appears to be struggling on two fronts; 

1. Lacking the necessary will and resolve to battle the current crisis situation and finally giving in to the fatalistic tendencies, 2. Fanning political polarization and divide between the center and the provices by accusing the18th amendment for clogging the efforts aimed at curbing the pandemic in order to cover up for its delayed actions and unclear stance. 

  Despite all of its mixed baggage of the past and the present, the Sindh government, in the wake of covid-19 outbreak, has taken the lead by taking the responsibility and by intiating timely measures leaving no choice for the other governments but to follow the suit. Recent advisory along with respective SOPs issued by the Sindh Government regarding "Home Quarantine" is the case in point. It is binding upon the government, political parties and other stakeholders to rise above the conventional political turf war and unconditionally join hands in the fight against Covid-19 so that the nation could march towards a safer, healthier and prospering Pakistan.