Daily Times

The Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement’s anti-Pakistan agenda has once again been exposed as the so-called Pashtun rights group is consistently found involved in not only misleading the public about the threat posed by coronavirus pandemic but also undermining government’s coordinated and strenuous efforts to contain the deadly virus in the country.

Recently a video went viral on social media in which PTM’s Mohsin Dawar, who is also a member of the National Assembly, while surrounded by villagers, appears to be downplaying the serious threat of coronavirus. In the video, Dawar is seen telling the villagers that coronavirus is ‘nothing’ and that it is ‘just a way to make money’ – the remarks which have raised serious concerns as those could easily misguide the people living in the tribal region.

The PTM is trying to undermine government’s efforts by carrying out negative and baseless propaganda campaign. MNA Ali Wazir, another leader of the PTM, has termed the shifting of COVID-19 affected individuals to Dera Ismail Khan and Chaman a ‘conspiracy against Pashtuns’. He also planned to join a protest demonstration in Dera Ismail Khan against shifting of quarantine centre to the city. Dawar also unfairly criticized Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for establishing quarantine centres in educational institutions. Ali Wazir further tried to tarnish Pakistan Army’s image by alleging that it wants to ‘earn dollars’ through COVID-19 outbreak.

Amid rapidly spreading global coronavirus outbreak, which has destroyed major economies and created serious imbalance in the global health system, Pakistani government and its armed forces have risen to the occasion and chalked out a well-coordinated and balanced plan of action to fight the menace. From temporarily sealing borders with Iran and Afghanistan to closing all educational institutions and from imposing partial to complete lockdowns in different provinces to suspending international flight operations, the government has taken a volley of measures to prevent the coronavirus pandemic from spreading in the country.

Thanks to ‘iron brother’ China, which has come to the rescue of Pakistan, a huge quantity of medical assistance comprising personal protective equipment has already landed in Pakistan. A high-level Chinese medical team is also in Pakistan at the moment to help contain the deadly virus by replicating the methodology they applied in their own country to defeat the monster.

In line with their glorious tradition, Pakistan’s armed forces are once again in the forefront of fighting the national challenge, with army institutions and doctors fully assisting the civil administration and utilizing all resources at their disposal to effectively combat coronavirus outbreak. All medical facilities of armed forces are being utilized for assistance and load management of coronavirus patients. The civil administration and armed forces are jointly building testing and relevant healthcare capacities on a war footing, including training of health workers, repurposing buildings for coronavirus recovery wards, etc.

As the window of opportunity to contain the spread of coronavirus is getting narrower with each passing day, federal and provincial governments in Pakistan have exhibited a rare show of harmony, unity and solidarity in fight against the pandemic. The country’s top civil and military leadership has been pushing for unity and solidarity in the recent days in order to win the war against coronavirus.

Government of Pakistan, armed forces and all agencies and departments are jointly working day and night to ensure that the people of Pakistan stay safe. However, at the same time, some vested interests like PTM have also jumped into the field to enforce the enemy’s agenda of weakening Pakistan by sowing hatred and division. People need to stay aware of such negative elements and join hands with the government and national institutions to win the common battle against coronavirus. Instead of indulging in hairsplitting and undue criticism of government’s efforts, everyone should play a constructive role at this crucial moment. It is hoped that through joint and coordinated efforts, the country will soon be able to win the war against coronavirus. Whole humanity is at stake right now and only through collective efforts, we can achieve the goal of saving lives.