COVID-19: Pakistanis show solidarity towards India
Despite the wounds of the past, Pakistanis send messages of closeness to India. Pakistani authorities are worried about the rising numbers of cases at home. The Pakistani military is enforcing protection measures in cities. Schools and offices have already been closed in Sindh province.
Karachi (AsiaNews) – Following the latest upsurge of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, Pakistan is showing a sense of solidarity that is stronger than past historic wounds.
In the last few days, the show of support has taken many forms with the hashtag #PakistanstandswithIndia trending among Pakistanis, while individually, many of them have posted messages saying that they are praying every day for an end to the pandemic.
Pakistani celebrities, activists and government officials have also publicly expressed their closeness to the Indian people.
On Twitter, Prime Minister Imran Khan said: “Our prayers for a speedy recovery go to all those suffering from the pandemic in our neighbourhood & the world. We must fight this global challenge confronting humanity together.
In India, developments are getting worse, and the viral upsurge is not stopping. In the last 24 hours, 323,144 new coronavirus cases were reported with 2,771 deaths.
The main problem is that oxygen is in short supply for intensive care treatment. Oxygen equipment is set to arrive in New Delhi from France and Thailand.
In the United States, the Biden administration announced its intention to provide India with vaccine components, meeting a request Indian manufacturers have been making for weeks.
In Pakistan solidarity with India comes with added concern that the upsurge in the pandemic might cross the border. In fact, the positivity rate is rising alarmingly, above 5 per cent in 51 cities, with close to 90,000 active cases.
About 570 patients are on ventilators while another 4,300 are in critical condition, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director-general Major General Babar Iftikhar.
The Pakistani military is mobilised in all cities to enforce coronavirus measures. Reinforcements have been sent to 16 cities where the positivity rate is particularly high.
In Sindh province, the anti-COVID task force chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has banned inter-city transport as well as access to government buildings and prisons.
The province’s schools and universities will also remain closed, said provincial government spokesman Murtaza Wahab.
In Punjab, reports indicate that provincial authorities might announce a total lockdown this week if the situation does not improve.
Kashif Anthony, a Christian human rights activist, thanked the Pakistani army for its pandemic efforts, saying that he is praying for all health workers and those who help those in need, urging everyone at this time of suffering to follow health rules, not only for themselves but also for others.
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06/10/2021 14:14
