People of Pakistan in general and conscientious elements in media appreciate efforts of the government and its institutions such as National Command Centre (NCC) & National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Of course, the world and for that matter Pakistan was not prepared for Novel Coronovirus, and that was the reasons that there were shortages of Personal Protective Equipment for the doctors. The above institutions deserve appreciation for delivering the PPEs country wide. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said doctors and paramedics are the frontline soldiers in this war against coronavirus. Most advanced nations/governments are finding it extremely difficult to fight this pandemic. Pakistan government is striving hard to acquire & supply the required resources. In this hour of distress we must remain patient and
steadfast.” Pakistan Army had dispatched emergency supplies of medical equipment including Personal Protective Equipment to Quetta on orders of the Army Chief to help the medical staff effectively fight COVID-19. This was stated by DG Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar in a tweet on Tuesday. However, self-styled analysts, commentariat and opposition leaders continue accusing the government of not taking adequate steps towards prevention and control of Coronovirus. Delay in delivery of PPEs at Quetta was compensated by sending C-130 of PAF. Recovery and transportation of quarantined people safely to their homes is being very well managed by the government. Conversion of water bowsers into mobile sanitization units, installation of sanitization gates and tunnels at public places & hospitals will help control the virus.
A walk-through disinfectant tunnel with overhead sprayers was installed at a fresh produce market in Islamabad. In one minute, 80 people can walk through the gate. The disinfectant can keep people safe for the next four hours. Pakistani authorities are planning to build 20 more such gates, which will be installed at Islamabad’s major markets. Pakistan has received tonnes of gear for health workers from both domestic and foreign suppliers. Last month, the Chinese government together with Alibaba Foundation sent a cargo plane to Pakistan carrying several tonnes of medical supplies, including N95 and surgical masks, which arrived in Karachi on March 25. Pakistan’s “brother and friend” China has helped by making immense contributions to help combat the virus, said Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt. General Mohammad Afzal addressing a press briefing earlier. He expressed gratitude to the government and people of China.
Yet the parliamentarians are trying to assert their position; recently, the parliamentary committee on coronavirus approved eleven Terms of Reference (ToRs) including parliamentarians’ role to monitor the activities of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in connection with the fight against infectious Covid-19. The 2nd meeting of parliamentary committee on coronavirus, chaired by Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser, with consensus approved the ToRs to run the committee in an organized manner. The ToRs were prepared by a sub-committee on coronavirus and submitted before the committee for approval. According to the approved ToRs, the members have suggested that the SOPs (standard operating procedures) of the NDMA, which is headed by a serving military man, should also be prepared by the parliamentary committee “to ensure equitable distribution of cash/relief packages to needy avoiding overlapping from various agencies of the federal and provincial governments”.