The problem of Pakistani students living in China is causing unrest among their parents in Pakistan. Has the Government ensured that all Chinese (and now the people from other victim nations as well) before and after coming to Pakistan had Coronavirus-free certificate in hand so that it could be produced at the airline counters before boarding the plane and also at the time of booking seats? Are there any proper checking counters installed for screening for Coronavirus under the supervision of a team of qualified doctors? Have all the hospitals arranged extra beds and measures to ensure the safety of victims and their isolation from others and have the airport authorities ensured screening for Coronavirus of foreigners as well as the nationals arriving in Pakistan? Have all the respective institutions and departments i.e.
Pakistan’s health department, Pakistan embassy in Beijing, Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and Interior Ministries of both states have devised a workable plan for the safety of passengers traveling both sides? Have all the schools, colleges and universities present in the country educated the students about the importance of wearing masks and avoiding direct contact with people? Has the Ministry of Health introduced a Coronavirus awareness and management center to deal with this risk at both Federal and Provincial levels? Has the Federal Government kept the list of countries with confirmed Coronavirus outbreak into consideration in order to grant visas and entry to the residents of those countries in Pakistan?
The outbreak of Coronavirus is a ‘National Security Hazard’ that should be dealt with national spirits. The Ministry of Interior and all other stakeholders to formulate a common counter strategy under
‘Anti-Coronavirus National Action Plan’ to combat this deadly disease
Is Federal Government keeping direct and regular contact with the Pakistani students stuck in China to know about their wellbeing?
I had all observation which almost became the agenda of the meeting.
All above points were thrashed and the outcome of the meeting has already been made public however some import actions were directed by me which are as under
Being the Chairman of the said meeting, I expressed my grave concerns over the widespread of this epidemic because of those hundreds of people who came from Iran and other affected countris in last few days and went unchecked for Coronavirus. I therefore, directed the Ministry of Interior to identify those 7500 pilgrims who were visiting Iran for pilgrimage and have returned Pakistan in last few weeks.
I also recommended the setting up of a fund to battle this menace; and that, in this regard, an account must be set-up within 24 hours and be made public for donations.
I also directed the concerned authorities for the instant arrangement, availability and provision of N-95 masks for everyone around the country including the common people, the doctors and paramedical staff in all hospitals, and to the officials/staff of Airport Security Force, FIA and other law enforcement agencies deployed at airports and ensured to make it mandatory as part of their uniform.
In the meeting, I directed all the Provincial Home Departments to keep an eye on Chinese working on CPEC Projects as a large number of them were expected to return back from China and they should be screened for Coronavirus. I also tasked the Ministry of Interior to take all the measures for the safe return of Pakistan students stranded in different cities of China within 15 days in coordination with the Chinese government.
I took serious notice of increase in mask prices and directed a crackdown on such elements involved in price hike/black marketing of surgical masks taking advantage of national calamity. The custom department was also directed to exempt the import of all accessories and medication for Coronavirus treatment and diagnoses from custom duty for the use in government hospitals and institutions.
Since media plays a huge role in the development of society, I also urged media to avoid all the unnecessary hype rather spread awareness about the epidemic. In this regard, I directed the PEMRA to ensure that awareness material produced by the Ministry of Health must be disseminated to all channels making it mandatory for airing.
The outbreak of Coronavirus is a ‘National Security Hazard’ that should be dealt with national spirits. The Ministry of Interior and all other stakeholders to formulate a common counter strategy under ‘Anti-Coronavirus National Action Plan’ to combat this deadly disease. The government should properly evaluate the threat of Coronavirus in Pakistan.
Govt of Pakistan was directed to take all the measures for the safe return of Pakistani virus free students stranded in different cities of China within 15 days in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan observing all International safety procedures and precautions. The flights returning from all virus affected countries must be diverted to specially designated airports to avoid further risk and spread of Coronavirus. These flights from affected countries should not be allowed to land on the main stream airports which can risk other large number of passengers. The emergency must be declared at Pak-Afghan and Pak-Iran borders and there is dire need of additional logistics to handle large number of Pakistanis.
Let us pray that may Allah keep us safe from this deadly virus.
Ameen
These are my own views and do not necessarily represent the views of my party.
The writer is Former Interior Minister of Pakistan, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Chairman of Think Tank “Global Eye”