While the world is still reeling from Covid-19’s impact, idealistic revolutionaries are already looking beyond it, writes Dr Niaz Murtaza in today's Dawn.

"They envision this crisis may upend populism, cause major wealth redistribution and produce a fairer world. How valid is this view?

"Many recent natural pandemics had mortality numbers similar to the worst projected for Covid-19. The 1918, 1956 and 1968 flu pandemics killed millions. None gave long-lasting equity globally, or even nationally. But then, none created the huge global economic turmoil that Covid-19 has already. This high dislocation even in rich states feeds hope of a fairer world among revolutionaries. So, rather than looking at past pandemics, one must compare the Covid-19 crisis with outcomes of huge global dislocations in the modern era due to different causes to see if it will lead to lasting equity."

Read the full op-ed here.