Faulty argument

The categorical refusal of Dr Zafar Mirza to evacuate Pakistanis stranded in China is very disappointing, not only for the parents and relatives of the stranded Pakistanis but also for the nation as a whole. The argument given by Dr Mirza in favour of the government’s decision is based on the presumption that bringing our citizens back home may further the spread of the coronavirus. To support his argument Dr Mirza claims the government’s actions are in accordance with WHO stipulations.

The question here is: if evacuating people from china is so risky, then why have both developed and developing countries like Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Turkey, India, and even Bangladesh started evacuating their nationals from China? The important issue to understand here is that the spread of the coronavirus is as much a humanitarian crisis as it is a medical one. Our government must think humanely and evacuate our citizens from China. Due precautions such as thermo-scanning of the evacuees before they embark on their journey home and proper quarantine arrangements when they arrive in Pakistan should be observed. Pakistan may already be late in rescuing its citizens; it should not waste any more time.

Akbar Jan Marwat

Islamabad