“If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place.” (Hadith Mubarik, Translation from Sahih Bukhari, Book 71). On 31st January, since its been a week after the imposition of the level – 1 health emergency in the provinces Guangdong and Hubei (where city of Wuhan is located) of China. I woke up around 9 o clock in the morning to prepare myself ceremoniously for Jumma prayers. At 10 am I received a call from a colleague based in Beijing, informing me that he is leaving for Pakistan tonight. However, the reason was not the epidemic outbreak in Wuhan, he said that for next 1 and half month the lab is going to remain close and there is nothing much to do, so it’s better to visit Pakistan for vacations. The labs in China are usually referred to the place where students along with their supervisors conduct research.
While he was not afraid and neither am I, based in Dalian, a romantic city of China, pursuing PhD in Maritime Law. Till now, in Dalian the registered number of confirmed cases has reached a total 11, in a city of 6.17 million. Overall, the number of infected is around 15,000 in a country of 1.5 billion, is it significant enough to leave? Well, Wuhan, population of 11 million, and around 10,000 infected, maybe it is more dangerous than any other place in China. Is it?
Moving forward, as Muslim, I firmly believe on the day of judgement and death, not sure about the date and time. It has to be taken place and I will be buried anyways, it’s He, the Almighty to decide our fate. However, such response from the Pakistan’s embassy in Beijing is ridicule. There must be some responsiveness to the citizens or students of Pakistan based in Wuhan or in Hubei Province. On the other hand, the irresponsible behaviour of the students based in Wuhan or Hubei for studies,without any self-control, management or measures, by making videos and airing them through the social and electronic media is portraying theirsatire capabilities.
The description of the epidemic outbreak through our electronic media is other caricaturing element, as without knowing the facts and figures and deceptively picturing Wuhan as Chinahas created panic in Pakistan more than China. The ill governance mechanisms, irresponsibility, discoordination,incompetent research, monitoring and reporting systems has led the 200 million peopletowards useless and insensitive awareness. This awareness of everything for nothing indeed is much more dangerous than remaining ignorant of the facts and figures. The peoplehave left orare leaving research and reading habits,comparatively, much more reliable and useful means of learning and knowing than electronic transmission.
In 2017, I submitted a complaint to the Competition Commission of Pakistan regarding deceptive practices in the electronic media of Pakistan. Additionally, written an article titled ‘Deceptive Practices in Electronic Media of Pakistan and Application of the Competition Laws’. However, remain unnoticed, as I specifically targetedone very powerful news channel, but I submitted in my complaint that according to my own observation this news channel practice is more devastating than any other. Though, I would like to suggest issuing a policy, rules or regulation for entire electronic media industry.
The ill governance mechanisms, irresponsibility, discoordination, incompetent research, monitoring and reporting systems has led the 200 million people towards useless and insensitive awareness. This awareness of everything for nothing indeed is much more dangerous than remaining ignorant of the facts and figures
The governance is the “authority having the power to give orders and get it obeyed and responsibility means state of being accountable or answerable for any obligation, trust, debt or something or in other words it means obligation to complete a job assigned on time and in best way.”The governance in authoritative circles has turned as a mockery and one cannot expect the delivery. They understand governance of authority only, element of responsibility is impervious for them. Nonetheless, the transparency was expected in much more responsible manner through the media industry of Pakistan, not in this reckless way.
Therefore, I would like to request the students studying in China from Pakistan to please remain calm and have firm faith and belief. Trust Chinese government, they have taken rapid and unprecedented measures to curb this novel virus.Their governance is exemplary, their management is ideal, they are far ahead as far we have observed, and their largest commodity is their own peoples. We are writing research papers for our degrees and their universities. Hence, we are also their commodity. Similarly, I would like to request our families in Pakistan, don’t panic, the health budget, facilities and development of China is far better than of Pakistan. God forbid, in case, if any of us may get infected, China is capable to treat us in a much secure, safe and healthier techniques.”There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its treatment.””There is no cure for only one illness, Old age (Death).” [Bukhari, Tibb 1, Abu Dawud, Tibb 1, (3855); Tirmidhi, Tibb 2, (2039); Ibn Majah, Tibb 1, (3436)].
The writer is Lawyer and lecturer in Law, currently pursuing PhD in Maritime Law from Dalian Maritime University China