- At this crucial juncture, we should have to avoid criticism for the sake of criticism & point scoring
- After coming out of this turbulent time we will have sufficient time for politics and point scoring
Riaz Ahmad Malik
Group Editor Daily National Herald
Tribune, Daily Al-akhbar & Member Board of Experts, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad
Amid reports of alarming spread of Coronavirus in the country Prime Minister Imran Khan in his address to the Nation on Monday while creating the ‘Corona Tigers Relief Force’ and ‘Corona Relief Fund’ has once again vowed to cohesively win the war against the cruel enemy. He said that the nation has to fight the coronavirus with two key elements, faith and young population. The prime task of the Tigers will be to help out the administration in containing the disease, ensuring provision of food to deserving families and educating the people on the safety precautions against the pandemic. The Relief Fund in National Bank of Pakistan will collect donations from rich to help out the Corona victims.
The Government through its measures is displaying unwavering resolve and commitment that it is fully prepared to tackle any eventuality. Prime Minister Imran Khan himself is supervising and evaluating the situation and the Command and Control Centre at National Disaster Management Authority is also keeping a strict vigil on the situation and firming up the required responses. In fact, the Federal Government along-with the Armed Forces is doing its best to check the spread of the epidemic and extend best possible medical facilities to the victims. But unfortunately there are differing approaches between the Centre and Provinces on this important national issue even at this most critical time, which in fact could be dangerous for the federation instead of its fortification. It is also a fact that some of the bold steps taken by the Chief Minister Sindh are commendable but at the same time it should also be taken into account that devouring of businesses is much easier than that of establishing them. It is a difficult time and each and every step needs to be taken cautiously. Therefore a national dialogue should be held to evolve a workable strategy incorporating saner proposals of the Opposition. If the Government succeeds in getting the genuine cooperation of the Opposition it will be in the win win position.
As far as the Prime Minister is concerned he has adopted a realistic and crystal clear stance against the imposition of a complete lockdown foreseeing that it will further heightened the hardships of the poor masses and that more people could starve to death than falling victim to the COVID-19. He is fully aware of the dire consequences of the curfew, therefore perhaps it will be his last option. The elements which are critical of the Government for the belated move to deal with the crisis are actually not being realistic about the situation. Unfortunately, Opposition , some Media Houses and some ‘intellectuals’ are in the habit of criticizing each and every move of the Government.
It is pertinent that Government’s solo efforts to overcome the situation cannot bear fruit without the fullest support of all the segments of the society in particular the media. It is evident that a good number of people are still not taking the guidelines seriously regarding social distance from all including their near ones which could have serious implications not only for them but for the entire country.
The moment, the media all over the world is playing a serious and responsible role by focusing on how to curb the disease, the media in Pakistan particularly the Electronic media is politicizing the issue and resorting to point scoring, which not at all will be in the larger interest of the country, they must have to review their policies by pushing back the point scoring. I would like to quote the example of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s chat with some senior journalists a few days back, wherein some of our colleagues badly failed to observe the protocol, the Chief Executive deserves. Putting tough questions and questioning government decisions is the right of the journalists but expecting answer of each and every questionable question is not at all justified.
One may differ with the Government on the measures it has taken so far to overcome the monster, everybody has the right to express his view point and even criticize it on its faults but there should not be the criticism for the sake of criticism. No doubt a lot could have been done by the government to stop the disease from spread but the situation does not warrant any point scoring at this crucial juncture of the time.
There is a dire need to support the Government to fight the peril by bringing forth its shortcomings and extending workable suggestions. It should be kept in mind by everybody that the failure of Government at this moment will not be dangerous for it alone but will be disastrous for the entire nation. Once the country emerges victorious from the quagmire, we will have sufficient time for politics and point scoring.
