Caution is the only way

The PTI-led federal government submitted a report to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which stated that coronavirus infections in the country are feared to reach a shocking 50,000 this month. The reluctant Prime Minister Imran Khan is still not in favour of a complete lockdown, however, an undeclared one has been imposed. In Pakistan, where the health system is not strong enough, it cannot bear a such number of infections.

The federal and provincial governments are taking stern steps to address the ongoing coronavirus situation in the country. But in countries like Pakistan, where democratic governance and the rule of law are still a work in progress, civilian governments remain under immense pressure to imposed better restrictions.

World Health Organization has reiterated that caution is the only way to prevent this deadly disease. However, people in Pakistan haven’t taken coronavirus seriously yet. The Friday congregations are still continued in the country and Tableeghi Jamaat (TJ) preachers are performing their religious gathering which has become the main course of the outbreak of coronavirus.

It has been medically established that gatherings of all sorts are responsible for spreading COVID-19. Therefore, the restrictions on the congregational prayers and gathering of people have been imposed in order to contain the outbreak of coronavirus and ensure the safety of the people.

Faith is also the weakest link of many state institutions. The religious actors are now testing the nerve of the government in this crisis. Last Friday, the Sindh government announced a complete lockdown, advising people not to come out of their houses for prayers, but citizens of Karachi’s Liaquatabad manhandled police officials for enforcing restrictions on Friday prayers. After that, the congregational prayer was held on one of the streets of the area.

The people of Pakistan are expressing reservations on the measures taken by the federal and Sindh government, but aren’t following their directives or safety precautions. With such acts of public gatherings and violating the laws of the government can increase the outbreak of the coronavirus.

There is a stern need to adhere to official directives and safety precautions to minimize the risks of infections. This is the time to support the government to ensure your own safety and others also.