Tag: COVID-19 pandemic

  • Asad Umar warns complete lockdown in major cities if SOPs not followed

    Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umair has warned that a complete lockdown in major cities of the country could be imposed if the public does not strictly follow COVID-19 SOPs.

    Addressing the media after chairing a session of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Umar hinted at the possibility of shutting down major cities of the country amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.

    “Further restrictions will need to be imposed,” said Umar. “Let me make it clear, the level at which the virus is spreading and our hospitals are filling up, if we don’t act now, we will have no choice but to close down major cities.”

    “Presently, the number of patients on oxygen is more than 4,500 which is 30% more than than the first wave of the virus,” stressed Umar, adding: “Health facilities are under stress due to increasing number of positive cases which have now crossed 83,000.”

    Reiterating his warning, Umar said: “This is the last chance to follow SOPs and curb the spread of the virus otherwise we will not have any other choice but to close big cities.”

    Umar also said that the government has prepared a new set of guidelines and shared them with the provincial governments. They will be announced on Friday, April 23.

    Pakistan started the COVID-19 vaccination drive of people in the age group 50-59 today (April 21). Registrations for those 50 and above commenced on March 30. Those who haven’t registered can send their CNIC number to 1166 to register or can register online.

    Pakistan is experiencing the third wave of coronavirus with the situation worse than it was during the first wave. According to the NCOC, 5499 new cases and148 deaths were recorded in the country in the last 24 hours.

  • WHO praises Pakistan’s COVID-19 vaccination arrangements

    WHO praises Pakistan’s COVID-19 vaccination arrangements

    World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Pakistan Dr Palitha Mahipala on Wednesday praised Pakistan’s efforts for coronavirus vaccination.

    “I appreciate efforts of the Government of Pakistan for rolling out COVID-19 vaccination including vaccination of foreigners in the National Vaccine Deployment Plan and making excellent arrangements at the vaccination centres across Pakistan, with COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place.”

    Pakistan started the COVID-19 vaccination drive of people in the age group 50-59 today (April 21). Registrations for those 50 and above commenced on March 30. Those who haven’t registered can send their CNIC number to 1166 to register or can register online.

    Read more – Here’s where you can find COVID-19 vaccine in Karachi, Lahore

    Pakistan is likely to receive two million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from China by April 24.

    As per reports, the country will receive the vaccination batch on April 21 (today) and out of those two million doses, 1.5 million would be purchased from China while 500,000 doses would be gifted to Pakistan from the neighbouring country.

  • PM Imran wishes Manmohan Singh a speedy recovery

    Prime Minister Imran Khan wished former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a speedy recovery from COVID-19.

    The veteran Congress leader tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

    The 88-year-old was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) with fever. Singh remains stable a day after he was admitted.

    Earlier today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also tested positive for COVID.

    According to media reports, new COVID-19 cases in India reached more than 270,000 on Monday, a new record. The total cases are now more than 15 million, the second-highest after the US. India reported 1,761 deaths due to the coronavirus today. Pakistan on Monday banned travellers from India due to concerns over Indian variant. Britain also added India to its “red list” of countries. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also called off his trip to New Delhi in the wake of the rising coronavirus cases in India.

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received severe backlash over the BJP government’s mishandling of the COVID situation in India.

  • ‘We are stuffed in one room like animals’: British Pakistanis complain about quarantine facilities

    British Pakistani travellers who are isolating at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel near Heathrow Airport have registered a protest against the poor facilities given to them at the quarantine facility, Geo News has reported.

    According to details, authorities at the quarantine facility are not providing enough meals to 19 quarantined families with people protesting against the non-provision of food at the time of sehri and aftari.

    “It’s a basic human rights issue. People have not received food for the three meals that were contractually supposed to be provided to the families. The food that has been delivered has not been on time. Moreover, we are in the midst of the Holy Month of Ramazan. There are people who have fasted without receiving any food at all,” said Hasnain Sheikh, while describing the situation in a video message.

    He said that the purpose of making the video was to call to the attention of UK government authorities towards the conditions of returning travellers. Expressing that such conditions are unacceptable, Sheikh said that people staying at the facility have paid a hefty sum for their quarantine living arrangements for 10 days.

    https://twitter.com/MurtazaViews/status/1383776694612283394

    “More promises and assurances are being given via hotel security, but our plea needs to be heard. This is a human rights crisis and I hope the government pays attention,” said Ghulam Sayyadain, another individual stuck at the hotel.

    Member of another quarantined family Abdullah Inayat told media outlets that his son had a bout of food poisoning after eating a meal at the centre.

    “My family was forced to eat cold food and was not facilitated at all,” said Abdullah. “We are stuffed in one room like animals. We have paid more than £3,500 only to quarantine and have been deprived of even the basic facilities. For a family of five to live in a medium-sized room is unhygienic and there are dangers to [our] health.”

    On the other hand, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “Hotels providing managed quarantine facilities are able to accommodate the vast majority of people’s requirements and are obligated to provide guests with three meals a day, access to WIFI, welfare and health support.”

    Earlier this month, Pakistan was added to England’s “red list” amid concerns about the spread of new COVID-19 variants.

    As per new COVID related rules introduced by the UK government, those who have visited or passed through a country where travel to the UK is banned must quarantine for 10 full days in a managed quarantine hotel.

  • Asim Azhar backs students, urges Shafqat Mahmood to cancel exams again

    Asim Azhar backs students, urges Shafqat Mahmood to cancel exams again

    After Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood announced that there will be no delay or cancellation of exams, Asim Azhar once again voiced his support for students, urging the minister to reconsider his decision in view of the ongoing third wave of COVID-19 across Pakistan.

    “A, AS, O Level and IGCSE exams will be held as per the date sheet announced by CAIES,” said Mahmood, asserting they will be no cancellation or delay in the exams.

    Mahmood added that Cambridge has assured that all SOPs will be strictly followed.

    Responding to the announcement, the singer said: “Who will be responsible if kids take COVID back to their homes just so they could appear in exams?”

    In another tweet, Azhar urged Mahmood to rethink his decision.

    “Abhi bhi waqt hai, bacho pe tars khaalain,” said Asim.

    Earlier, Twitter had raged with students advocating for the cancellation of board exams this year following the deadly third COVID-19 wave across the country.

    Students demanded to cancel board exams 2021 amidst their disturbed learning schedules. Several students were also demonstrating on the streets so that the government take proper notice of their demands.

    #ExamCancelHoga, #cancelboardexams2021 and #ShafqatMahmood were among the top trends on the micro-blogging site as social media users and students expressed their concern over the sharp rise in cases of COVID-19 and its effect on their studies.

    Asim and Hadiqa Kiani had also voiced their support for the students over exams cancellation.

  • ویکسینیشن ، مرد اور عورت کا پردہ

    ویکسینیشن ، مرد اور عورت کا پردہ

    ابھی ایک ہفتہ پہلے میری والدہ کو کورونا ویکیسنیشن  کی دوسری خوراک لگی ۔ پہلی خوراک والے دن  میں کافی گھبرائی ہوئی تھی کہ پتا نہیں کیسے ہوگی ، سینٹر پر کیا حال ہوگا ،لوگ کتنے ہونگے وغیرہ وغیرہ ۔ جب میں سینٹر پر پہنچی تو لوگوں کا جمِ غفیر  نظر آیا ۔ زندگی میں پہلی بار اتنے  لوگوں کو ٹیکہ لگوانے کی خوشی تھی ۔ مجھے اندازہ نہیں تھا کہ کام شروع کیسے ہوگا ۔ اسی دوران میں نے کسی سے پوچھا جو کورونا سینٹر کے نمائندہ ہی تھے ۔ انہوں نے کہا آپ میرے ساتھ آ جائیں ۔ میں آپ کا کام کروا دیتا ہوں ۔ انہوں نے دس منٹ میں فارم جمع کروا کرآخری مرحلے تک کام کروا دیا ۔  میں نے پیسے دینے چاہے تو انہوں نے کہا “میں انسانیت کے ناتے کر رہا تھا، پیسے رکھئے” ۔ ساتھ ہی انہوں نے نمبر دیا کہ اگلی خوراک پر رابطہ کیجئے گا اورمیرا نمبر بھی مانگ لیا ۔ میں نے سمجھا خدا سے کوئی غیبی مدد آئی ہے اور خدا کا شکر ادا کیا ۔

    میرا شکر البتہ دو تین دن بعد” چلو جی “میں بدلا جب ان ہی صاحب نے اِدھر اُدھر کے میسج کرنے شروع کر دیئے ۔ جب وہ باز نہ آئے، تو میں نے جھوٹ کہہ دیا کہ میں شادی شدہ ہوں میرے خاوند جی میرا فون چیک کرتے ہیں ۔ اس کے دو دن بعد میری والدہ کی ویکسینیشن تھی ۔ میں نے موصوف سے رابطہ کیا کہ مدد مل سکتی ہے ؟ جس پر انہوں نے کہا “جی مشکل ہے” ۔ میرا نقلی خاوند تو میرا دشمن نکلا ! میرے نقلی خاوند کی وجہ سے موصوف کی انسانیت ہی ختم ہو گئی؟ کیا فائدہ ایسے نقلی خاوند کا ؟

    میں نے یہ واقعہ ٹویٹر پر لکھا تو ایک شخص نے لکھا ” ہاں تو نمبر دیا تھا ، تو بھگتو اب” ۔ اور مجھے تب احساس ہوا کہ اوہو! غلطی تو میری ہی تھی  ۔ چونکہ میں عورت ہوں ، اس لئے غلطی تو ہمیشہ میری ہی ہوگی ۔ چونکہ نمبر عورت کا تھا ، مرد تو بہکے گا ! اسی ہفتے میں پاکستان کے وزیرِاعظم عمران خان نے بھی مجھے احساس دلا دیا کہ غلطی تو میری تھی، ہے اور رہے گی کیونکہ میں عورت ہوں ۔ عمران خان نے اپنے خطاب میں زور دیا کہ ملک میں جنسی زیادتی کو روکنے کے لئے ضروری ہے کہ انگریزوں کے رسم و رواج کوختم کیا جائے ۔ اور پھر دبے دبے الفاظ اور پولے پولے منہ سے کہہ دیا کہ جب عورتیں پردہ نہیں کرتی تو بہت سے مردوں سے کنٹرول نہیں ہوتا اور پھر وہ جنسی زیادتی پر “مجبور” ہو جاتے ہیں۔

    زمانے بھر کے غم اور مرد کی یہ “مجبوری!” اس دنیا نے مرد کا جینا حرام کر دیا ہے۔ کیسے کیسے “مجبور” کیا ہے۔ کیسا کیسا امتحان لیا ہے ۔ کبھی مرد “مجبور” ہو کر اپنے ہی گھر کی عورت سے جنسی زیادتی کر دیتا ہے اور کبھی “مجبور” ہو کر موٹر وے پر ایک ماں کو اُس کے بچوں کے سامنے اپنی جنسی ہوس کا شکار کرتا ہے ، کبھی مرد “مجبور” ہوکر رشتے سے انکار کرنے والی عورت سے بدلہ لینے کے لئے اسے اپنی ہوس کا شکار بنا دیتا ہے، اور کبھی مرد عوت کا ناک، کان، بازو کا کچھ حصۤہ ، ہاتھوں کی انگلیاں، پیر ، آنکھیں، بال ، ہونٹ، جو بھی حصہ نظر  آ جائے  ، اس سے “مجبور” ہو کر عورت کو اپنی ہوس کا شکار بنا دیتا ہے ۔ اور “مجبوری” ادھر رکتی نہیں۔ مرد 3 سال کے لڑکے کو بھی دیکھ کر “مجبور” ہو جاتا ہے ۔ مرد ایک “مجبوری ” کا مجسمہ ہے جسے کب کیا دکھ جائے  اور جو دکھ رہا ہو وہ کس طرح اس کو جنسی زیادتی پر “مجبور” کر دے ، آپ کو کبھی نہیں پتہ چلے گا ۔ کیا انہی “مجبوریوں” کی بات کر رہے تھے آپ،وزیرِاعظم صاحب؟

    وزیرِ اعظم صاحب ! عورت ہونے کو جرم نہ بنائیں ۔ عورت کے کپڑوں کو مردں کی درندگی چھپانے کے لئے استعمال نہ کریں ۔ مرد جوصدیوں سے جنسی درندگی کو طاقت کے حربے کے طور پر استعمال کرتاہے۔ کبھی حالتِ جنگ میں اور کبھی عورت کو “مزہ” چکھانے کے لئے ، اسے عورت کے لباس میں چھپانے کی کوشش نہ کریں ۔وزیرِاعظم صاحب! وہ کون سے کپڑے ہیں جو مدرسے کے لڑکوں کو ان “مجبور” مردوں کے شر سے نہ بچا سکے ؟وہ کون سے کپڑے ہیں جو 3 سال کی بچیوں کو مردوں سے بچا نہ سکے؟

    وزیرِ اعظم صاحب ! کبھی نظر جھکا کر دیکھیں ، کبھی نظر ہٹا کر دیکھیں ، کبھی اپنے نفس پر قابو کر کے دیکھیں ۔۔۔ پھر نہ آپ کو کسی کے کپڑوں سے شکایت ہوگی اور نہ آپ “مجبور”  ہوں گے ۔

  • Ramzan 2021: NCOC issues list of guidelines

    As Pakistan battles, a deadly third wave of COVID-19, the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC), has issued a list of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for Ramzan.

    A special meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on April 13, during which the following NPIs were decided:

    • Broader lockdowns
    • Saturdays and Sundays will be observed as ‘closed days’ at the national level
    • The market timing will be from Sehr till 6:00 pm apart from essential services
    • Indoor dining will be banned, however, outdoor dining will be allowed from iftar till midnight
    • Complete closure of cinemas and shrines will continue to be enforced
    • 50% work from the home policy will continue
    • Taraweeh prayer to be organised in open spaces as far as possible
    • There will be a complete ban on contact sports, festivals, cultural gatherings, and other events
    • All kind of indoor, as well as outdoor gatherings, will remain banned
    • Ban inter-provincial transport on two closed days (Saturdays and Sundays) which will continue to be enforced till midnight April 25-26 and the decision will be reviewed on April 20.
    • Stringent protocols for tourism have been imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu Kashmir and tourist sites elsewhere. In addition to that, Sentinel testing sites at every point/selected locations will be established.

    All NPIs will be effective from Ramzan 1st (April 14).

    As per NCOC, 4681 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the last 24 hours, with the positivity rate of 9.73%, whereas 135 people lost their lives.

  • Shaniera Akram’s emotional note for husband on being apart is relatable

    Shaniera Akram’s emotional note for husband on being apart is relatable

    Shaniera Akram’s emotional note for Wasim Akram on being away for 145 days is highly relatable if you are someone living away from your family, husband or loved ones.

    Sharing a picture of herself and Wasim, Shaniera said: “145 days we have been apart! The longest ever. Although my heart is breaking everyday I have strength and believe that this world will end its suffering soon as there are those who have lost way more than us. InshAllah we have the love that knows no boundaries.”

    “I pray that everyone stays safe, wears a mask and gets vaccinated as soon as possible so that life can continue as normal,” she said further. “I will do my best to be a good mother, citizen and keep my charity and work to help Pakistan as much as I can from here. My prayers to those during this Holy month of Ramadan who are suffering, struggling, in longing or sadly saying goodbye to loved ones.”

    “Missing you Wasim, more than you could imagine. You are our everything,” added Shaniera.

    Read more – Shaniera Akram heartbroken over plastic mess on the beach

    Shaniera, who is originally from Melbourne, Australia, went to her home city in January and due to the coronavirus pandemic, she could not return to Karachi where she lives with her husband and children.

  • This public service dance by doctors will brighten up your day

    This public service dance by doctors will brighten up your day

    As the world battles against the third wave of COVID-19, people are tired and drained because of the pandemic. Amid this tough time, a group of Indian healthcare workers is bringing smiles to people’s faces with a public service dance.

    Humans of Bombay recently shared a video of a group of doctors dancing to upbeat music while observing COVID-19 standard operating procedure (SOPs).

     In the video that has gone viral on social media, the doctors can be seen dancing to a remix of Rasputin by Boney M.

    Read more – Woman dances after getting job, goes viral

    To fight the ongoing pandemic, everyone must act responsibly and follow all the SOPs. Wear a mask and sanitize yourself frequently, practice social distancing and do not go outside unnecessarily.

  • Shehzad Roy refused a fan a selfie for not wearing a mask

    With Pakistan battling a lethal third wave of coronavirus, authorities and the government have urged the public to be responsible and follow all COVID-19 protocols. Unfortunately, many have been caught flouting the necessary SOPs and Shehzad Roy recently told off one of them for not wearing a mask.

    Read more – Shehzad Roy has the funniest response to a Twitter marriage proposal

    “A boy came up to me for a selfie, not wearing a mask,” shared Roy on social media.

    He continued: “I asked him to step back. [A] minute later his father came angrily and told me off for being rude. I told him, its for [the] boy’s safety.”

    “The father of the boy replied: ‘Itna nuqsan toh is buchay ko corona say bhi nahi hota, jitna tum nay is ka dil dukha kay kiya hai’,” said the singer.

    According to NCOC, Pakistan has recorded 4318 cases of the virus in last 24 hours while 118 people have lost their lives.