Writing on the Wall

The corona virus has caused ample damage around the world leaving almost every country distraught economically and socially. Ironically, the health sector was on the front line facing brunt of the situation. With all its worrying effects, the virus has steered the governments around the world to commence damage-assessment in various circles. Taking stock of the situation, Unicef has pointed out the alarming number of missed vaccination targets as a result of the lockdowns. In Pakistan, an already suffering vaccination campaign against the polio disease has been further debilitated. Unicef has reported sporadic outbreaks of preventable diseases such as measles and diphtheria in Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Pakistan is a large country with high childhood mortality and low immunization coverage rates as every year, more than one million children miss out a full course of the most basic vaccines here hinting that it is difficult to find children missing out during the anti-

Meetings of clerics on two different occasions have announced that they will resist the imposition of further restrictions on prayer congregations, the statement came following clear instructions by the government to observe the lockdown in mosques. The government has already vowed to bring clerics and all religious groups on-board before reaching a final decision on April 18 and after that such a decision looks quite confusing. The scholars have promised to take necessary measures for congregations, it is difficult to perceive how they will manage mandatory distancing at each and every mosque at all times, with the rising number of people wanting to participate in congregational prayer. It is duty of the citizens, religious scholars to abide by rules laid down by the government against the corona virus pandemic. The government is responsible for protecting all citizens, which includes clerics. Through their unilateral decision-making, the clerics are putting themselves an

Human life has always been a victim of surprises, plagues, crises, adventures, and curiosities.  We faced almost everything in one form or another. Devastating waves of terrorism, violence, protests full of panic and the confused governments remained the hallmark of our wretched existence. Taking the plagues into consideration, we witnessed Dengue, SARS, Ebola and several other deadly diseases but never have we ever witnessed anything crueler than coronavirus. We see the people around us breathless and dying and we are so helpless that we can’t even soothe them or comfort them owing to the infectious and the pandemic nature of this virus. Every tragedy gives birth to a story that is full of human experiences and emotions. If you have any story, feel free to share it. Strictly speaking about myself, I am afraid, afraid for my loved ones, the fear of seeing the people around me vulnerable, fear of not seeing the world I used to cherish around me. I fear the world