THE number of patients in Pakistan diagnosed with Covid-19 has begun to creep up. As per the latest count, there are 19 confirmed cases of the virus, mostly in Sindh.

Federal and provincial authorities are scrambling to take necessary steps to curtail the spread of the virus. However, if the global situation is any indicator, this will be easier said than done.

China has reported some progress in combating Covid-19, but the virus is spreading at an alarming rate in Europe and the US. Iran is also reeling under its devastating effects, while many parts of the world are bracing for tougher days ahead.

In Pakistan, although the authorities were initially slow to acknowledge the seriousness of the threat, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah along with their teams at the federal level and in Sindh, respectively, have since shown considerable initiative.

In Balochistan, too, measures have been taken to contain the spread of the disease.

So far, however, the governments of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan have not displayed the same level of urgency.

More importantly, and alarmingly, Prime Minister Imran Khan has yet to publicly acknowledge the presence of Covid-19 in the country and thereby demonstrate that he is cognisant of the clear and present danger it poses to the nation and its citizens.

Pakistan is in need of a leader who can bring people together to work collectively to forestall a widespread epidemic in the country.

Prime Minister Khan needs to get into action and lead such a national effort.

It is his job to spur all governments to coordinate on inter-provincial activities, fast track funds and procurements, and calm the public’s fears while motivating them to adopt precautionary measures.

In order to do this, he must galvanise the political leadership of all parties to work in unison to combat the emerging crisis.

This requires all parties to rise above partisan politics and petty vendettas.

The prime minister must now lead — putting his politics aside and reaching out to his opponents in order to build a truly national coalition to tackle the threat posed by Covid-19.

Success will require a multi-pronged approach that brings together political cooperation, administrative coordination, medical efficiency and decision-making that is clear-headed, swift, decisive and bold.

Rules may need to be re-drafted or relaxed, procedures may need to be shortened, and bureaucratic hurdles will have to be brushed aside if the federal and provincial governments are to move with lightning speed to build up the infrastructure needed to handle the situation.

The opposition should also show willingness to ensure that politicking is set aside until we have prevailed over this health emergency.

There is no time to lose.

The nation expects the prime minister to lead this fight and secure Pakistan from the scourge of Covid-19.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2020