As the country races against time in its fight against coronavirus, the unwavering commitment of the government and the unflinching resolve of its national institutions have created hopes that Pakistan will be able to swiftly win the war against the pandemic.
The challenge is huge. But, at the same time, it has also provided a rare opportunity to the nation to get united and wage a collective war against the monster. As the window of opportunity to contain the spread of coronavirus is getting narrower with each passing day, the government-constituted National Coordination Committee (NCC) and the institutions like National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) are exhibiting a rare show of commitment, professionalism, unity and solidarity and virtually burning the midnight oil to contain the spread of the deadly virus in the country.
The NCC was constituted by the National Security Committee (NSC) last month as part of a national strategy and is mandated to liaise between the stakeholders over the efforts aimed at curbing the spread of novel coronavirus in Pakistan. The committee comprises federal ministers for relevant ministries, chief ministers of all the provinces, chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority, surgeon general of Pakistan Army and representatives of Inter-Services Intelligence, ISPR and Directorate General Military Operations. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Mirza is the convener of the committee. The NDMA has been designated as the lead agency on operations related to COVID-19. The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) is the implementation arm of the NCC.
Since its inception, the NCC has been regularly meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan himself in the chair to discuss various measures in the ever-changing scenario as well as review the implementation of the decisions taken at earlier meetings. All major policy-level decisions are being taken from this platform and being implemented through the National Command and Operation Centre.
The NDMA under its vibrant Chairman Lt Gen Mohammad Afzal has taken over the lead role in providing required medical facilities to hospitals and isolation as well as quarantine centres across country. NDMA chairman is also part of the government team which briefs media about the latest situation on a daily basis. The NDMA has done an excellent job right from provision of testing kits and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to setting up of testing laboratories in different cities of Pakistan and from import of ventilators and facial masks to running an awareness campaign to sensitize people about the risks associated with the pandemic as well as ways and means to prevent its spread. It was only through the hectic and tireless efforts of the NDMA that the PPEs for the frontline medics as well as paramedics were provided at all health facilities across country. An unfortunate delay in provision of PPEs to medics in Quetta was compensated with swift dispatch of the material through a C-130 airplane of the Pakistan Air Force.
Several indigenous efforts like conversion of water bowsers into mobile sanitization units, installation of sanitization gates and tunnels at public places and hospitals across country are really praiseworthy steps. Recovery and transportation of quarantined people safely to their homes is being very well managed by the government.
The Pakistan Army has been in action from day one and is deploying all resources to help the government implement the comprehensive coronavirus strategy. Like always, army is in the forefront of fighting the national challenge, with army institutions and doctors fully assisting the civil administration and utilizing all resources at their disposal to effectively combat coronavirus outbreak. The efforts include screening, isolation, testing, check on suspected cases, and contact tracing as well as keeping a strict check on all exit and entry points of cities. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has relatedly instructed all the formations of Pakistan Army to reach out to the civil administration even at district and tehsil levels in their respective domains to control the crisis.
The Pakistan Army is also assisting the civil administration in physical and information domains to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) and the information and health ministries have jointly formed a ‘Risk Communication Strategy’ aimed at leaving no communication gap between the people and the institutions as well as busting all negative propaganda and misinformation doing rounds on the social media.
The pandemic is both a challenge and an opportunity for introspection, especially on healthcare spending and emergency preparedness. Whole humanity is at stake right now and only through collective efforts, we can achieve the goal of saving precious lives. It is hoped that through joint and coordinated efforts, the country will soon be able to win the war against coronavirus.
