EDITORIAL.

We're living through a juncture in history we'll never forget. The world is almost at the lockdown with the virus as deadly and complex as COVID-19 has spread its wings across 192 countries with ever rising infections and deaths. While the new outbreak is Europe where in Italy is the hardest hit at the moment, China has displayed an exceptional and extraordinary recovery. Recently President Xi Jinping has made his first trip to Wuhan, where the coronavirus outbreak started last year in December.

President Xi's visit to Wuhan was a symbolic landmark in the country's battle against the coronavirus and signals to the world that the situation is under control now. Chinese resilience and the strength of resolve has given confidence to the world that this virus can be fought back with the effective implementation and rapid response systems.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has appreciated the steps taken by the Chinese government and specifically people of the country to undertake this entire epidemic. While China has recovered, Iran and Italy are suffering with mounting deaths and infections. Iran is one of the hardest hit counties worldwide by the virus as the official death toll only behind Italy and China. Iran is already suffering heavily from the years of the economic sanctions as a result of the tussle between US and Iran recently after the US withdrew from the nuclear deal and the death of General Qasem Soleimani.

The country is unable to procure the badly needed medical supplies and equipment from the global markets resulting in the difficulties in combating the virus. The virus was originated in the holy city of Qom in the latter half of the February.

The world need to be more compassionate to those states facing acute difficulties wherein the health and economies are crippling. WHO Head has warned earlier that the countries with least capable health systems are most at the risk, Pakistan is passing through its early warning stage where most of the officials and leaders are giving mix responses to the growing pandemic. As world is preparing to witness this extraordinary outbreak, hopeful news are coming as people are also recovering from the disease.

This is a unique time and needs unprecedented actions as well. Many governments around the world are closing the borders, shutting down their air transport and travel, put huge restrictions on social gatherings, weddings, and concerts and even shutting down school, colleges and...