Corona Virus is a new virus, which originated in December 2019, in Wuhan City in China. It is a new virus for which no one was ready. After China, it spread all across the world affecting Iran and big superpowers such as the United States of America, the UK, and other European countries such as France, Italy and then in Asia in countries such as Pakistan, India and other countries, affecting almost 200 countries around the countries. In order to contain the virus, governments across the world, imposed lockdowns in their respective countries, some strict and some lenient. Now it’s like almost 7 months since this virus has originated. Now the lockdowns across the world have created a negative impact on the economies of the countries because the lockdown is not sustainable for any country’s economy.
Today, many countries are scared, if the lockdown continues, their economies would collapse altogether. In order to avoid this, many countries are easing down the lockdown in exchange for some SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), to ensure that the virus does not spread. This includes wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
Now, coming to the situation of Pakistan, where, in comparison to other countries such as the USA, the UK and other European countries, the Corona cases are very much lesser (though not less). However, on the other hand, as compared to the USA, UK and the rest of Europe, Pakistan’s economy is not strong. Here, lockdown can help the elite class which is very small in quantity here in Pakistan whereas the poor people and daily wagers cannot afford the lockdown, and this type is in majority in Pakistan. Now, these are the end days of Ramzan, the Holy month for Muslims after which we celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr (the Holy Muslim Festival). These days, people have to shop for new clothes, so for them, shops were to be opened because a lot of people wear new clothes only on Eid. The Imran Khan-led Pakistani Government announced last week that the lockdown to be eased down in order to support the people who cannot afford to live in lockdown because they cannot feed their families as well as support them. A class of people opposed the decision, but in my opinion, this was a wise decision taken by the Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan His Excellency Mr Imran Khan.
Now it is up to the people to follow the rules and SOPs given by the government so that they are safe from the virus as well as from poverty. The government does not have to go after the people with sticks, the people should understand the situation and think about it. Only a limited number of people can go out to buy the things required, by this we can balance out the effects.
Now we have to learn to live with coronavirus, because for at least this year, so we have to now plan our lives according to it.
Things that can be done remotely should be done remotely and other things that require in-person meetings should be done with the government’s SOPs.
May Allah Almighty Help us and Guide us and we get rid of this virus as soon as possible. Just ask Allah Almighty for help. Insha Allah one day, we will get rid of it.
Thank You.
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan
http://covid.gov.pk/The website for information on COVID-19 in Pakistanhttps://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/The website for info on COVID-19 cases in the world
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