Inter-Services Public Relations, ISPR-the media wing of Pakistan armed forces, has released a song titled ‘Chal Para’ on COVID-19 on YouTube. Sahir Ali Bagga has sung the song. The song features Pakistani celebrities Sajal Aly, Ahad Raza Mir, Zara Noor Abbas, Babar Azam, and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
Message in ISPR’s Chal Para
Song titled, ‘Chal Para’ paid tribute to the frontline workers like doctors, paramedic staff, and security forces. But it braces people for unusual circumstances after lockdown. The song educates on how people have to move and interact with others.
A three-minute-long video also includes a small clip of Pakistan’s premier Imran Khan. In which he is explaining the rationale of uplifting lockdown in the country amid the health emergency of coronavirus. He said Pakistan cannot afford the suspension of economic activities under lockdown because it is hurting the people particularly the daily wage labourers who earn the livelihood daily to feed the families.
The song then reasserts the message of fighting COVID-19 with courage. It reinforces the messages of adopting safety measures like social distancing and the use of hand sanitizers and masks. Moreover, it asks people to follow the SOPs following the resumption of business activities across the country after the ease in lockdown.
A cross-section of the population has opposed the ease in lockdown when COVID-19 cases are accelerating in Pakistan. Since the start of May, coronavirus cases have spiked exponentially in Pakistan- taking the average daily cases reported from hundreds to thousands. Hence, they argue that ease in lockdown and uplift in restrictions can be a potential risk for Pakistan and its frail health system.
Read more: Punjab approves for home isolation, eases lockdown; experts warn of disaster
Moreover, there is no guarantee that people will SOPs in public places and business centers. Hence, the state should not leave the affairs in the hands of the public. But, the government asserts that Pakistan’s economic conditions cannot afford extended lockdown.Â
Hence, the song encourages people to practice preventive measures at business centers, industries, and mosques- points of public gathering to control the spread of coronavirus.Â
Pakistan Army supports the nation
Besides, a coherent communication on COVID-19 through media platforms, Pakistan armed forces, and law enforcement agencies are working on the ground alongside the doctors and health staff across the country to support the nation in the fight against the pandemic.
Qamar Javed Bajwa during his recent visit to the forward troops along Line of Control reaffirmed the support of armed forces in the fight against coronavirus.
COAS appreciated the formation for strict adherence to #COVID-19 protocols and proactive assistance to Govt of AJ&K in fighting Corona. The army will continue to support the national effort against COVID-19, said COAS Bajwa.
Read more: Pakistan’s NCOC: Birth of a powerful democratic institution
Meeting at NCOC
Last month, COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the National Command and Operation Center. COAS was briefed about COVID-19 related multi-sectoral situation, implementation of NCC decisions, projections about likely spread & support being extended to civil administration.
He lauded remarkable efforts of NCOC for formulating & implementing COVID-19 response despite constraints. COAS called for continued stratified risk assessment, managing trinity of a health crisis, eco slide & psy-social impact through efficient resource management.
COAS was also apprised about national strategy for Test, Trace and Quarantine (TTQ) aimed at identifying disease spread, focused clusters / hotspots to enable targeted lockdowns & need driven resource optimisation at all levels. (2/4) pic.twitter.com/J1w0BZ7A5k
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) April 22, 2020
He added that the Pakistan Army along with other state institutions should make every effort to bring comfort to the nation in these challenging times particularly during Ramzan.
Pakistan has more than 30,000 COVID-19 cases along with a mortality rate of 667 to date. The number of cases is burgeoning day by day. In these testing times, the Pakistan army is playing a pivotal role by helping the authorities in the distribution of ration packages and donating their salary.