Pakistan’s offer is actually being done out of the Consideration that India and Pakistan share Weal and Woe
BY SHAHID MAJEED MIR
The WHO defines Covid 19 pandemic last year as “the worldwide spread of a new disease.” The determination is based on the geographic spread of a disease, the severity of illnesses it causes, and its effects on society. This declaration came after the wrath unleashed by Novel corona or Covid-19 as is termed today covering almost nook and cranny of globe. The statement further elaborated “Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death.” A pandemic is a characterisation and a call to take action not a reason to give up. The outbreak happened in Wuhan City of China last year where it’s largely believed to be spread by widespread wild animal trade there. Whatever its origin or reason may be, it is sufficed to say that the virus has been declared Pandemic Which is a Greek word converting to Pan- All, Demos- People so to a large extent it turns out be a disease covering almost whole parts of the world and influencing almost whole humanity worldwide. When a new disease spreads over a vast geographical area covering several countries and continents, and most people do not have immunity against it, the outbreak is termed a pandemic. It implies a higher level of concern than an epidemic, which the US Centers of Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) defines as the spread of a disease in a localised area or country. A major example of pandemic is the Spanish flu outbreak of 1918, which killed between 20-50 million. The Pandemic has already surpassed 50 lakh and taken lives of above millions and counting. The second wave have engulfed India into a horrible mode where the deaths are coming above 5000 according to the govt and the real situation is much more worse than that according to some journalists. The hotspots of China, Italy, Iran, India, America, Brazil and Spain have presented horrible scenes in past few days. What actually is Covid-19? How can one remain safe? What are safeguards? Why did it spread so fast? Why did it take lives so easily? are oft-repeated queries these days. And the humanity is passing through a crucial litmus test to overcome the novel corona.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday last month April expressed solidarity with the people of India battling the deadly wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying “we must fight this global challenge confronting humanity together”. In a tweet, Mr. Khan said: “Our prayers for a speedy recovery go to all those suffering from the pandemic in our neighbourhood and the world”. “I want to express our solidarity with the people of India as they battle a dangerous wave of COVID-19. We must fight this global challenge confronting humanity together,” he said on Twitter. His tweet came after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed support to the people of India in the wake of a massive surge in COVID-19 cases in the country and extended his sympathies to the affected families. Mr.Qureshi said the COVID-19 crisis is yet another reminder that humanitarian issues require responses beyond political consideration. “We express our support to the people of India in the wake of the current wave of #COVID19 infections that has hit our region hard. On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I extend our heartfelt sympathies to the affected families in #India,” Mr. Qureshi tweeted. “As a gesture of solidarity with the people of India in the wake of the current wave of #COVID19, Pakistan has officially offered relief & support to #India, including ventilators, Bi PAP, digital X ray machines, PPEs & other related items. We believe in a policy of #Humanity First,” Mr. Qureshi said in another tweet. Pakistan continues to work with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries to foster cooperation to tackle the pandemic, Hospitals in the country of nearly 1.4 billion people are facing a chronic shortage of oxygen and beds on their intensive care wards. Many people are being forced to use makeshift facilities for mass burials and cremations as the country’s funeral services have become overwhelmed. India has called on its armed forces to help. It is releasing oxygen from armed forces reserves and providing retired medical personnel. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday described the situation as “beyond heart-breaking.” A new variant has been discovered in India, but experts say it is too early to know if that is driving the latest surge.
The virus as is familiar is a communicable that too unique in its spread and coverage. It covered the nook and cranny and caught establishment of China in particular and whole world in general unawares before they could get ready for combative measures. Since the present form of Corona virus is unique called as COVID-19 albiet ,it struck way back through SARS and MERS viruses also but to a compacted geography. The virus in its present shape reached far quicker to Iran, India, America, Brazil and Italy which now shares more in dead numbers than china the epicentre. The statistics are horrible ranging from thousands infected to thousands dying on each passing day. India and America surpassed the no of dead than other countries in the world and more cases are getting reported in other regions than China now. Chinese mammoth economic surplus emerged supportive enough to unleash unprecedented changes with war like mechanism locking the virus to a designated area and brought the cases down. It also helps other regional countries especially Pakistan and Greece plus Serbia in their combative efforts now. However, to a large extent the severity of Virus is so great that it bended China to its knees. The consequences are a but a manifestation of the fire and furry imposed by Virus all around world these days. As per reports of WHO and IMF world Economy is going to slip by 5% and the heat has already come to fore. The supply chains broke and the global travel is on halt these days. The global community is hither and thither as the Virus in second wave is touching new climax with more countries getting caught in epidemic from South America Asia to Europe. The problem with Virus at present is inability to treat it with a valid drug or vaccine. Since the virus is unique and absolutely novice in its characteristics it requires ample time to prepare a solid vaccine for its cure. Although the US Company Moderna has started test trials of mRNA – 1273 but the complete package needs recognisable 4 phases series for final clearance to usage. So far now there’s no cure as such available which leads us back to Indian great Charakha who developed Ayurveda System universal dictum “ Prevention is better than cure “. So to prevent is to cure and to adopt safeguard is to keep others safe now.
It is a hard question for India to accept or refuse this offer. On the one hand, relations between India and Pakistan have been strained. India may feel that its dignity and national status are being questioned if it accepts aid from Pakistan. On the other hand, controlling the epidemic as soon as possible to save the health of its people should be the priority right now. The severe situation in India may spread to surrounding areas such as Pakistan. In this context, Pakistan’s offer is actually being done out of the consideration that India and Pakistan share weal and woe. At the same time, this is a sincere and opportune moment for Pakistan to take the initiative to improve India-Pakistan relations. In fact, the complexity of India-Pakistan relations is the result of long-standing and deep-rooted issues. These include Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, and the rivalry between the two countries over national security strategies. The antagonism of interest groups, deep-rooted contradictions and attitudes of public opinion in both countries have determined that it is unrealistic for the two countries to improve relations or even achieve a breakthrough in the short term just because of such a gesture from Pakistan.
Shahid Majeed Mir is an Author of the Book “Untold stories of Kashmir” hails from Kupwara and can be reached at mirshahid363@gmail.com
