UPDATE ON PAKISTAN
UPDATE ON PAKISTAN
Ramzan begins in Pakistan as nationwide tally at 11,940.
KARACHI / ISLAMABAD / QUETTA / PESHAWAR / LAHORE / GILGIT / MUZAFFARABAD: The novel coronavirus emerged in the central China city of Wuhan towards the end of last year and proliferated to almost the whole world within a couple of months. It’s not the virulence or fatality, but the infectivity of the new virus – also known as SARS-CoV-2 – that has set off a global frenzy. The Covid-19 respiratory illness caused by this mysterious contagion has so far infected more than 2.7 million people in 202 countries and territories of the world – more than 190,000 of them have died and counting. Pakistan, despite its close proximity with China, remained coronavirus-free until February 26 when a young man from Karachi tested positive after returning from Iran – one of the worst-hit countries. After a brief hiatus following the first case, Covid-19 cases spiked as more pilgrims returning from Iran tested positive for the virus. The nationwide tally of Covid-19 patients stands at 11,940 with 5,046 cases in Punjab, 3,945 in Sindh, 1,708 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 656 in Balochistan, 307 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 223 in Islamabad and 55 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The virus has claimed at least 248 lives while at least 2,527 coronavirus patients have recovered. The number of cases has continued to soar despite the country being under lockdown for the third consecutive week. The situation remains fluid and we’re updating stats as soon as new figures are officially released..
Govt extends lockdown until May 9.
The federal government extended the countrywide lockdown to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic for 15 more days – until May 9. The decision was made during a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on Covid-19 chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said the lockdown had been extended in consultation with the governments of the four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir..
Sindh bans congregational Taraweeh prayers amid fears of coronavirus spike.
KARACHI: In the wake of rapid surge in the Covid-19 cases, the Sindh government has banned Taraweeh prayer congregations in mosques during Ramazan, fearing that the novel coronavirus pandemic will spread massively if large gathering are not avoided. In a late-night video message, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah urged the people to offer the Taraweeh prayers at home. “We have taken the decision after consulting with doctors, medical experts. I request Ulema to cooperate with the government.” Mosques will remain open and Taraweeh prayers will be offered as usual but only the staff will be allowed to participate, he added. Taraweeh, Eid prayers to be done at home amid coronavirus: Saudi grand mufti He said that the top doctors in Karachi had expressed their concerns during a press conference and similar sentiments were shared by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Punjab today. CM Shah said that the 15 next days would be crucial and a stricter lockdown would be imposed in the province during the period. “Even if we were making wrong decisions, Allah will forgive us as our intentions are good,” he said, adding that the government is forced to make tough decisions. He said that shopping malls which were not following the standard operation procedures (SOP) have been shut. “Small traders are cooperating, therefore, they have been allowed to deliver their products to customers but explained that no one would be allowed to visit shops in markets.” The chief minister went on to say that he took the decision after taking President Dr Arif Alvi into confidence. CM Shah also said that the decision does not deviate from the agreement reached between the federal government and the Ulema about congregational prayers in mosques. “Agreement allowed the provincial governments to change the decision if the situation appears to worsen.”.
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