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  • ‘Ghabrana nahi hai,’ PM tells nation, again

    ‘Ghabrana nahi hai,’ PM tells nation, again

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Tuesday resorted to his popular mantra of “ghabrana nahi hai” as he urged the nation not to panic amid the global outbreak of coronavirus that has left at least 237 infected across the country and over 190,000 in the world with nearly 8,000 deaths.

    Addressing the nation as the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — spreads in Pakistan, the premier said that the virus was dangerous for the elderly since it attacked their already-weakened immune system, adding that there was no need to panic since 97% of the affectees recovered from the virus.

    “Corona[virus] is a flu that spreads very quickly. 97% cases of the virus are treated successfully, and out of this, 90% are mild. Only 4-5% have to go to hospitals,” he said as he downplayed the global pandemic that has forced countries to shut down entire cities, including the Italian capital.

    “We formed the National Security Committee last week when only 20 cases had been reported. Italy didn’t act immediately, which led to a lockdown after the virus rapidly spread. The United States (US) is now shutting down cities while the United Kingdom (UK) is dealing with it differently,” PM Imran said, adding that his government mulled shutting down cities back when there were only 20 cases of the novel virus.

    He maintained that it, however, wasn’t an option for a country like Pakistan. “Our country is not like Europe. We are a poor country. Unemployment is high, businesses are slow, the economy is going through a tough time. So we thought people would die of hunger and poverty if we locked down cities.”

    “We are dealing with this in our own way. We have asked NDMA [National Disaster Management Authority] to be ready for an outbreak. NDMA will also provide ventilators as they will be needed in case of an outbreak. We have shut down educational institutions and banned public gatherings. A core committee of doctors specialising in infectious diseases is also working with us.”

    The premier further said that the government had constituted two committees to deal with the virus. “One is the coordination committee and the other one is an economic committee to determine how this will affect the economy. Our economic committee will ensure that there is no hoarding and prices of essential items do not increase.”

    PM Imran said that his government took the difficult decision to prohibit public gatherings and ban events where public showed up in huge numbers such as the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    Urging the people to join hands with the government in its war against the pandemic, he said that people should know that the virus will spread. “But don’t panic. It is our belief that life and death are in the hands of Allah. Every person should not get him or her self tested based on mild flu symptoms alone. Testing kits should be used only for those who actually have symptoms of the novel virus.”

    The premier also paid tribute to the government of Balochistan and Pakistan army for ensuring that pilgrims arriving from Taftan were quarantined. He said that the government was following the coronavirus situation closely, and praised the efforts of doctors and nurses, saying that the government would help them in their “jihad” against the virus.

  • Coronavirus: Shoot for Ahmad Ali Butt’s ‘Fatman’ postponed

    Coronavirus: Shoot for Ahmad Ali Butt’s ‘Fatman’ postponed

    Following a recent spike in coronavirus cases and the government’s appeal to practise social distancing, director Nabeel Qureshi has announced that he is postponing the shoot of his upcoming superhero film with Ahmad Ali Butt: Fatman.

    The director took to social media to make the announcement.

    Earlier while talking about the film, Ahmad had told The Current, “It’s a different and bold take on superhero films but at the core, it is a story about a father-son relationship.”

    He added, “It also addresses body shaming, yet keeps the family factor in mind.”

    Meanwhile, Nabeel had shared, “It’s a real-life superhero family entertainment film with a great message which talks about body shaming, with pun intended.”

    Read more – Ahmad Ali Butt is playing the latest superhero in town: ‘Fatman’

    Nabeel’s decision comes weeks after several big-budget Hollywood productions announced that they are postponing their shoots due to the coronavirus pandemic. Paramount Pictures delayed its plans for a three-week shoot of Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible 7 in Venice, Italy after coronavirus cases spiked in the country. The live-action remake of Little Mermaid, which was set to go before the cameras in the week of March 16 in London, has also been postponed. Netflix’s Red Notice starring Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot and Ryan Reynolds has also temporarily halted production in Atlanta for at least two weeks beginning March 16.

    Other than that Deadline reported that The Matrix 4 has halted production in Berlin, The Batman starring Robert Pattinson has halted production for two weeks beginning March 14 after considering relocating production from London to Liverpool and Fantastic Beasts 3 will not begin production as scheduled on March 17 in London.

    Meanwhile, the release of a string of movies including Mulan, No Time to Die, F9 and A Quiet Place Part II has also been delayed due to the pandemic.

    Earlier, Nabeel recently wrapped up the shoot of his other film Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad featuring Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B818EcTHFQS/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8mbIWmnJJq/?igshid=57xi6sockgxt
  • Keep coronavirus off your phone with these simple steps

    Keep coronavirus off your phone with these simple steps

    While we all regularly wash our hands and use hand sanitisers to save ourselves from the coronavirus, we forget that our phones carry the most amount of germs and need to be disinfected as well so that our chances of catching the coronavirus are further reduced.

    Mashable has given a step-by-step guide on how to disinfect your phone. Here is how you can do it:

    1. Turn off your phone. Remove all cables/accessories.

    2. Mix hand soap with water. Use your best judgement to determine the soap-to-water ratio.

    3. Dip a lint-free – or soft cloth which does not give up any fluff – into the soap solution. Wring it to remove any excess water.

    4. Wipe your phone with the damp cloth. Never dunk your phone into the solution, even if your phone is water-resistant.

    5. Use a dry lint-free cloth to wipe your phone down. Avoid using paper towels if you can.

    Optional Step:

    1. Remove your SIM-card holder. Might as well get that cleaned, too.

    2. Dip a Q-tip into the soap solution. Squeeze it dry with your fingertips.

    3. Use the Q-tip to gently clean the tray.

    4. Wipe the tray down with the dry cloth. Then stick it back into your phone.

    Watch the video here:

  • Saba Qamar reveals why she hasn’t gotten married yet

    Saba Qamar is without a doubt one of Pakistan’s finest actors with a huge fan following. While Saba otherwise is very casual and easygoing, she has always kept her private life tightly under wraps.

    However, in a recent ‘Ask Saba’ session on Twitter, the actor revealed some interesting tidbits of her life.

    Like why she hasn’t tied the knot as yet.

    What her favourite thing to do is.

    How she deals with her mental health and remains positive.

    When she is starting her YouTube channel.

    Her favourite ice-cream flavour.

    Her thoughts on Pindi.

    Which drama is closer to her heart.

    When she will be doing her next drama.

    And last but not least, her future plans.

  • Coronavirus: Restaurants, shopping malls across Sindh shut down for 15 days

    Coronavirus: Restaurants, shopping malls across Sindh shut down for 15 days

    The Sindh government has decided to shut down all the restaurants and shopping malls across the province to control the spread of coronavirus.

    However, grocery stores will not be asked to close early.

    Meanwhile, IG Sindh has been directed to arrest those selling tissue papers and hand sanitizers at inflated costs.

    As per reports, coronavirus cases in the country have risen to 236 with the maximum number of cases from Sindh.

  • PSL Player Alex Hales clarifies reports that he has coronavirus

    PSL Player Alex Hales clarifies reports that he has coronavirus

    After reports that Karachi King’s player Alex Hales was being tested for coronavirus, the English player has issued a statement clarifying that he has not been tested yet for the virus but is expected to be tested soon. He says that he left Pakistan healthy but woke up with a fever and a cough and has been in self isolation since then.

    READ MORE: CM Buzdar rubbishes reports of first COVID-19 death, says deceased tested negative

    Alex Hales’ statement

    The statement comes after rumours that Alex Hales had tested positive for coronavirus, which he addressed on Twitter. After journalist Ajmal Jami tweeted a Gulf News story that Hales had tested positive for coronavirus, Hales replied to Jami’s tweet, which Jami later deleted.

    https://twitter.com/AlexHales1/status/1239872849155940352
    Alex Hales responds to Jami

    After Hales’ tweet, Jami clarified his tweet on Gulf News’ story.

    RELATED: ALL CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

    Earlier, Ramiz Raja had confirmed that Hales was being tested for the virus but later clarified on twitter that Hales was in self quarantine.

    Ramiz Raja confirms that Hales is being tested for the virus

  • CM Buzdar rubbishes reports of first COVID-19 death, says deceased tested negative

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar has rubbished reports claiming that the individual who passed away at Lahore’s Mayo Hospital was suffering from the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — and marked the first fatality in Pakistan due to the global pandemic.

    Earlier, it was reported that Pakistan’s first death due to coronavirus had been reported in Lahore. Reports that had come following a viral video that showed the deceased being brought out of the hospital in a coffin by staff in hazmat suits, had not drawn any official statements except Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid saying that results of the patient’s coronavirus test were still awaited.

    A private media outlet had, however, quoted health officials as saying that the patient “did die due to coronavirus”.

    “We have received test reports of Imran Ali, who lost his life in Mayo Hospital, and his cause of death was not #COVID19. So far Punjab has 8 confirmed cases and are being provided best available treatment [sic],” Buzdar tweeted later in the day.

    He further urged everyone “to act responsibly” in these testing times.

  • VIDEO: Watch Usman Buzdar protect himself from coronavirus

    Chief Minister Buzdar has recently been tweeting about the pandemic and what Punjab is doing to control its spread. The largest province has eerily been silent on the issue, confirming only six cases compared to Sindh’s 155 cases and the CM has faced much criticism for keeping quiet on the issue. The government has yet to confirm whether a suspected coronavirus case has died this morning in Mayo hospital.

    READ MORE: VIDEO: Suspected coronavirus patient at Lahore’s Mayo Hospital passes away

    Admist the confusion, CM Buzdar was recently seen protecting himself from the virus by getting his temperature checked and also using hand sanitizer to promote safety.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    CM Buzdar getting his temperature checked and using hand sanitizer

    RELATED: All the coronavirus updates you need to know

    Punjab has yet to reveal how they are controlling the spread of the pandemic or how they have managed to control it since only six cases have emerged in the province.

  • Army medical facilities “geared up” to deal with pandemic

    Army medical facilities “geared up” to deal with pandemic

    The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has released a statement saying that, “as part of the national effort and in line with the decisions of the National Security Committee taken on 13 March, all medical facilities of the Armed Forces are operationalised and geared up to meet any eventuality to deal with pandemic”.

    READ MORE: Coronavirus: PM wants rich countries to waive off Pakistan, other poor countries’ loans

    They also stated that coronavirus testing labs have been established at major military hospitals across the country and a central testing lab at the Armed Forces institute of Pathology. A coronavirus help desk has been established at each military hospital for fast track checking.

    RELATED: CHECKLIST: Do you have Coronavirus?

    “Armed Forces of Pakistan are fully involved in assisting the government and provincial administrations to tackle the situation since the outbreak and duly vigilant of the developing situation post COVID-19,” said the statement and that the Chief of Army Staff has directed all commanders to take “maximum necessary measures to assist civil administration for safety”.

    READ MORE: ALL CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

    Meanwhile, in an interview to a foreign media outlet, Prime Minister Imran Khan has predicted that the novel coronavirus would destroy the economy of developing countries. 

    “In case we get swamped by this virus, our health facilities will not be able to cope with it,” he added.

    He also urged the United States (US) to lift sanctions over Iran as they were in a terrible state due to the pandemic and the sanctions had already impoverished Tehran.

    Pakistan has a total of 193 confirmed cases with the highest number of cases in Sindh at 155 and the lowest in Punjab with two.

  • Coronavirus: PM wants rich countries to waive off Pakistan, other poor countries’ loans

    Coronavirus: PM wants rich countries to waive off Pakistan, other poor countries’ loans

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that rich countries should waive off the loans of poor countries in order to help the latter curb spread of the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — that has become a global pandemic.

    In an interview to a foreign media outlet, the premier predicted that the novel coronavirus would destroy the economy of developing countries. 

    “In case we get swamped by this virus, our health facilities will not be able to cope with it,” he added.

    He also urged the United States (US) to lift sanctions over Iran as they were in a terrible state due to the pandemic and the sanctions had already impoverished Tehran.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    To a question, PM Imran regretted Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s statement about Taliban. “Solution to the Afghan conflict lies in talks between the shareholders.”

    He said after coming to power, his government had worked on the Afghan Peace Deal with the US and Pakistan was an ally of the US for peace as he had always opposed Islamabad’s inclusion in the war against terror.

    “An extremist government is ruling over India and I have apprised the United Nations (UN) about the grave rights violations of Muslims in India by the Modi government,” he said.