Tragic crash of national airline’s passenger flight in Karachi multiplied the collective distress caused by number of unpleasant events taking place at internal and external fronts. Sudden loss of 97 precious lives just two days before Eidul Fitr swept a wave of deep sorrow across the country. This was not a normal smooth going Eid day on many accounts! Refraining from traditional ways of celebration was not at all easy in society like ours. Greeting hugs, family gatherings and recreational tours were avoided to curtail the spread of invisible foe. Though, public nonchalance in markets few days prior to Eid was quite disturbing but a mixed impact of chaos, discomfort and fear prevailed in society.
Being ignorant and much relaxed, Pakistani society has not yet responded seriously in observing precautionary measures. Unauthentic posts and rumors on social media are being persistently underestimating the quantum of pandemic threat. Driven by fictional conspiracy theories and thrilling stories, most of our simpleminded citizens have started believing that pandemic is a deep game of global players to establish a firm grip over major part of the world populace.
It should be kept in mind that most of the facts related to outbreak are yet not accessible or unearthed. However, the world is not the same as it was five months back prior to outbreak of Covid-19! Deaths of dear ones, closure of businesses, saturation of health systems, suspension of travelling, quarantine and social distancing have changed the routine life in major parts of the world. While lacking on many accounts in responding to the pandemic challenge, Pak society significantly stood tall in welfare activities. Non-Governmental charity based welfare services played key role in providing timely relief to the needy people at their doorsteps. Traditional Ramazan charities boosted the governmental efforts to provide much needed relief in highly depressing times. All welfare organizations deserve collective recognition from nation for being forthcoming in hour of need beyond any religious, racial or linguistic discrimination.
Disappointing disunity between Centre and Sindh over pandemic management can only be settled with some serious statesmanship. Surely, our political cadre badly lacks this trait. Clarity was missing on important decisions of imposing and easing the lockdown. Fiery speeches during National assembly session once again exposed the immature side of our political cadre. In these times of crisis and disunity, Centre has initiated the legislative adventure on review of 18th Constitutional Amendment and the NFC Award. Both these interconnected issues are too serious to deal with traditional non-serious ways. Already irritated Sind government is not in a reconciliation mood over formulation of NFC. Moreover, PPP being the pioneer of the 18th amendment is all set to zealously guard its constitutional creation. Big shares are not manageable out of a small kitty! Centre has to build a consensus to prove this complex case of financial lacking. Responsibility flatly rests on the shoulders of Centre and provinces for failing in efficient management of public sector and empowerment of local governments respectively. Our political elite has no aptitude to admit its follies!
The prime minister has logic in predicting Indian attack on Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Any such Indian misadventure will be aimed at sabotage of CPEC and an indirect attack on Chinese economic potentials
Political consensus during season of blame game and verbosity will prove a tricky game of chess for the Centre. Unfortunately, difference of opinion in our political culture rapidly transform into a personality oriented political war. This polarization on internal front is seriously damaging collective response on serious national challenges emerging from neighboring countries. Alarming rise in terrorist attacks on security forces in erstwhile FATA and Baluchistan needs a deliberate review of the entire regional spectrum. Situation at LoC is rapidly worsening due to unprecedentedly frequent cease fire violations by Indian forces. Country has lost valiant uniformed sons and innocent civilians during recent past weeks. Our war is not yet over! It is getting more complex with every passing day. Bloody events are not taking place in isolation! Terrorist attacks on security forces and ceasefire violations at LoC are deeply interconnected. Mills of terrorism are working round the clock under Indian patronization in Afghanistan. New Delhi is openly using cross-border terrorism, military might, intrusion and proxies as tools of state policy. Mosaic formed by joining the threats extended to Pakistan by top Indian officials portrays a horrible future scenario for entire region. Indian PM, Defence Minister, three services chiefs and national security adviser have many a times openly threatened to separate Balochistan and capture Azad Kashmir and GB through military aggression.
Growing Indo-US bond brings CPEC in their crosshairs on many accounts. The prime minister has logic in predicting Indian attack on Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Any such Indian misadventure will be aimed at sabotage of CPEC and an indirect attack on Chinese economic potentials. Obviously, this will be much appeasing for US! How can we avert this rapidly building threat on Eastern and Western fronts simultaneously? Let’s keep in mind the recent US-China rift over spread of covid-19. Surprisingly, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad was in Islamabad to seek Pak support to save the peace deal in Afghanistan. How can Islamabad facilitate the peace process while US’ ally India is persistently pumping terrorism in Pakistan through Afghan based proxies and heating up LoC for military misadventure. Parliament and its allied committees must step forward to review the recent alarming developments and recommend viable future course. Petty political differences should be discarded to build consensus on sensitive issues when the enemy is at the gates.
(Writer is a freelance and can be reached at sikandarnoorani@yahoo.com)