Civil responsibility during lockdown

While the coronavirus is having a grim effect on the prevailing situation in the country, it has united political pundits and parties to set aside their differences for a national cause.

The government of Sindh and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah along with his team are leading from the front in taking safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus. There is no doubt that the provincial government is making earnest measures to the best of their ability and resources. Sindh Minister Saeed Ghani even fell victim to the disease while making efforts to contain the virus.

A young doctor in Gilgit-Baltistan sacrificed his lives while treating coronavirus patients. There is complete chaos and uncertainty in the country. In Pakistan, the province of Sindh has recorded the highest number of cases but due to the efforts of the chief minister, the death toll is not exceedingly high.

The chief minister has demonstrated exemplary leadership and took the difficult decision to lockdown the entire province for two weeks. The chief minister also urged civic agencies to give relaxations in utility bills payments, provide exemptions to consumers with low usage and not disconnect connections along with waiving off one month rent to low-income public employees. Pensioners were even given payments before time, while cash incentives and free rations are being provided to needy people.

The efforts of the Sindh government are up to the expectations of the people. Even the WHO and international agencies have appreciated the efforts of the Sindh government. All possible efforts are being made against the coronavirus pandemic. The Sindh government has set up a relief fund and all employees are contributing a portion of their income. The Sindh cabinet has contributed their entire month earnings to the fund.

The opposition parties particularly the MQM-P have also reciprocated the gesture and donated their one month’s salary. The Jamaat Islami has started its own relief efforts and are distributing rations. Charities and welfare organisations are providing safety equipment and carrying out sanitization services. The KKF has offered its offices to be converted into makeshift isolation centres.

Mayor Karachi has pledged to donate one month’s salary and all resources of the KMC in the fight against the pandemic. The mayor has vowed to stand together with the Sindh government in these difficult times. Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif returned hoping to do something for the country and has decided to support the federal government.

The prime minister has announced a financial and economic package along with several other measures. The armed forces have as usual come to defend the nation and aid the civil government. This is the moment to shun all political differences aside and work against a common enemy. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed to support the efforts of the prime minister, a gesture being praised among political circles.

As we are a generous nation, dozens of NGOs and welfare organisations are helping daily wagers and downtrodden segments during the lockdown by providing free meals and rations. As the entire nation has enforced a full or partial lockdown, it is imperative that people stay in their homes and obey the government’s orders.

We should demonstrate our national responsibility and play our role in the fight against the pandemic. We need to support the prime minister and the provincial government in these times they have taken very difficult decisions. The prime minister wants to build a national strategy and we should support him as our lives and health depend on it.