Quick Action.

While the second wave may be in full swing in Sindh and Punjab, it seems to have slowed down in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). The region has neither reported a new case in the last four days nor has it reported a death since December 25. Surely, there is something to be learnt about crisis management from the region. However, matters should be made easier now that Oxford's AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for emergency use. Focus can now be placed on quick procurement and subsequent vaccination of the population along with social distancing measures. The government has to be proactive if any ground is to be achieved on this front.

On a national level, there are over 34,000 active cases in the country-majority of which are restricted to the provinces of Sindh and Punjab. Considering that the pandemic is raging in such areas, it is extraordinary how GB has exercised control over the situation and prevented any transmission of the virus for the past four days. It signals to the fact that the region enforced comprehensive laws and protocols strictly enough to shield people from vulnerabilities. There is no denying that...