If coronavirus pandemic changes the world, will it be for the better?

This is not the time to debate whether the Covid-19 pandemic is a natural calamity or man-made disaster. It will, however, be appropriate to conduct research on the origin and cause of the coronavirus, along with current efforts into formulating a vaccine.

Was climate change also a factor in the emergence of the Covid-19 virus? We now inhabit a global village, with mass travel aiding the speedy spread of pathogens around the globe. No military might, scientific or technological advances could prevent the virus from transcending borders. This pandemic has once again exposed the powerlessness of the powerful.

It remains to be seen what lessons people, and especially the powerful, learn from this crisis. Will the warlords and warmongers continue to dance to the same tune or change their behaviour?

The pandemic has affected human beings irrespective of their beliefs, skin colour, region, caste or creed. All of mankind is suffering, and hundreds of thousands have died in almost all parts of the world. Human beings, social by nature, have been forced to maintain social distancing. It is ironic that, at this crucial juncture, the greedy leadership of some countries can still be banked upon to usurp political and human rights. The time is not far when mankind will raise high the banner of pious resistance against ever-new patterns of imperialism.

The coronavirus pandemic could usher in a changed world. Hopefully, human behaviour will turn to piety and kindness instead of genocide, massacre, hatred, cruelty and the abuse of power. Let us hope for the best. Here I recall the words of Lord Tennyson: “More things are wrought by prayers than this world dreams of.”

Mahfooz un Nabi Khan, Islamabad