Corona’s existence was confirmed in Pakistan on the dusk of 26th February, 2020. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s former special assistant on health Dr. Zafar Mirza authenticated the news by confirming the two positive cases in Karachi. However, it created no havoc and life continued as usual. Only few noticed that it was a harbinger to an impending doom.
This was the beginning of the catastrophe and the rest is to remain as a part of the history.
The dire consequences that we are facing today have unmasked the fragile global order. Even the leading economies seem to be crippled in the face of the rampage that this pandemic has caused. Likewise Pakistan’s feeble healthcare system and economic doldrums has jolted the contemporary system.
The ruling regime imposed a three months long country wide lockdown to control the spread of the deadly virus. However, this led to business operations being suspended, government offices operating at partial strength and mass unemployment. These predicaments are still looming large and economic intelligentsia fears a global recession and subsequently a negative growth rate in Pakistan.
One thing evident from the prevailing episode is the failure of the existing system which has largely remained incapacitated in the face of this challenge.
Surprisingly Punjab government responded in an unprecedented manner. Responding promptly to the hovering crisis the government formed three working groups. The economic working group, social protection working group and health working group. Each group was delegated different tasks and was equipped with expertise of serving and retired bureaucrats along with academic giants. Every member of these groups seemed enthusiastic to contribute. They were determined to do something and were cognizant of the fact that huge responsibility lied on their shoulders. It was due to their untiring efforts that the government announced a social and economic package in an efficient and effective manner.
This episode was an epitome of the dedication, perseverance and commitment but the point to ponder is why such resilience and effort only in the face of adversity. On the positive side, we have a lot to learn from this experience. It can totally shape the manner in which public and private sector functions. It has evolved the education sector by introducing new mediums of teaching and modern ways of learning.
Similarly, the concept of telemedicine has taken a new shape. Online health consulting has become the new game and is expected to extend the public health outreach. Likewise the private sector has started practicing the modern way of operations. Work from home has become the new reality. However, if all these changes are streamlined it might result in an efficient environment that could transform the modern economic system.
History itself is a witness that every end is a new beginning. Covid cases are surging again and the episode of emergency and uncertainty is expected to repeat its course. Hopefully this predicament will die its natural course and we will be left with two options, either to learn from it or to get ready for the firefighting another event which may take a new shape. Maybe with its end there will be a new dawn.