Time to learn lessons from history

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

“Today the whole world is talking about various aspects of a common enemy COVID-19. Whatever the reasons, rationale or conspiracy theories on the subject, which are in abundance, the fact remains that we are obsessed by this monster.” 

This was observed by Senator Nisar Memon, a former federal minister, in his latest newspaper article.

“The fear is monumental because there is no medicine and vaccine but the positive aspect is availability of preventive shield which is simply to stay out of its possible contact by taking suggested precautions and isolation to insulate its entry into human body. So simple but yet not practiced, causing unprecedented halt!” he opined. 

“It is ironic, that while internationally everyone accepts it is a common war but yet the countries, states and cities are battling each other. China and USA, the two major economic powers though bruised by pandemic, do not see eye to eye on its origin. New York Governor has taken a course independent of Washington to fight pandemic,” he wondered. 

“The citizens in many countries are either defying government instructions like in most of our cities or are in streets protesting against continued lockdown like in Berlin. The scientists of different countries are researching in different directions and world bodies offering differing programmes,” the former federal minister added. 

“In this backdrop, let’s see how we are faring. Pakistan federal government with its civil and military administration in Islamabad is on one page, if voices of some cabinet members were to be ignored. Parliament is still under lockdown but the parliamentarians are contesting each other vehemently in media. Judiciary has scores of questions from executive to allow it to be counted on same page. Unfortunately, a divisive debate rages whether to save lives from COVID-19 or from hunger,” Senator Nisar Memon commented. 

“The federal and provincial governments, including the ruling party’s own governments in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, can be seen by all whether they are on one page or not. The business, trade and industry despite financial pressures have shown remarkable resilience to be on one page with provincial governments. Finally, the Ulemas came in to defy the government perceived to be weak is not a silver lining but ‘call to attention’ notice,” he remarked. 

“The intensity of COVID-19 sooner or later will recede but the world would have lost opportunity to be on one page in preparing itself for a peaceful and just world order with respect to Mother Earth and its children, the humans. In post-Coronavirus, people expect a new world order which is different from the one that emerged after World War I and II. The economic powers must concede their domineering role and neocolonialism; while developing economies must move away from aid, loan and support and ‘break the begging bowl’ if they wish to be sovereign,” he reckoned. 

“But if the world emerges out of COVID-19 without learning the lessons of history, a disaster of unimaginable magnitude compared to pandemic may emerge and therefore all efforts must be made to avoid it. Let the world reboot and move on to live with new economies with different means of production, trade, communication; and new human relationship with dependable health and education systems. Pakistan should shun deceit and petty politics and truly bring all on one page,” he urged.