Tag: COVID-19 pandemic

  • COVID-19: Walk-in vaccines for people above 18 to start soon

    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has announced that walk-in vaccination for citizens above 18 years of age will be available in Pakistan from June 11 (Friday). The decision was made in the NCOC session held today.

    It was also decided in the meeting that vaccination centres will remain open from 8am to 10pm daily from June 11, except on Sundays.

    Other decisions taken in the meeting will be implemented from June 15, which are:

    • Restriction on the closure of two days a week will be relaxed to one day. Choice of the day will be at the discretion of the federating units.
    • Partial opening of indoor gyms for vaccinated members only.
    • Only selective non-contact sports will be permitted, while the ban on contact sports(karate, boxing, MMA, rugby, kabbadi, wrestling, water polo) and festivals, cultural and other events will remain imposed.
    • Ban on the closure of shrines will remain imposed.
    • Cinemas will remain closed.
    • Existing 50 percent work from a home policy will be relaxed to 100 per cent office attendance.
    • Two days weekly ban on inter-provincial transportation will be lifted.
    • Restriction regarding 50 per cent occupancy for public transport will be relaxed to 70 percent occupancy.
    • Current restrictions already announced by NCOC regarding recreation, education sector, mask-wearing SOP, Railways and inbound passengers policy will remain in place till further order.

  • Students vaccinated with Covaxin, Sputnik V, asked to get re-vaccinated in US

    Students at universities in the United States are being asked to re-vaccinate themselves if they have been vaccinated against Covid-19 with Indian-made Covaxin or Russia’s Sputnik V as these vaccinations are still not approved by World Health Organizations, Hindustan Times has reported.

    Milloni Doshi, 25 years of age who will be joining Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs soon and has already been administered two doses of Covaxin in India says, “I am just concerned about taking two different vaccines. They said the application process would be the toughest part of the cycle, but it’s really been all of this that has been uncertain and anxiety-inducing.”

    On the concerns of having two different vaccines, spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Kristen Nordlund said: “Since Covid-19 vaccines are not interchangeable, the safety and effectiveness of receiving two different vaccines have not been studied.”

  • ‘Those who call themselves democratic are demanding the military to topple the government’: PM Khan

    ‘Those who call themselves democratic are demanding the military to topple the government’: PM Khan

    Addressing a ceremony to lay the foundation for the upgradation of the Multan-Lodhran section of the N-5 Motorway, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “Those who call themselves democratic are demanding the military to topple the government.”

    “From day one, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government faced criticism from the Opposition, which was poised to topple the government unless their leaders were given an NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance),” said Khan.

    “These mafias are bent upon doing anything to safeguard their interests as billions of dollars stashed by them abroad through money looted in the country are being probed,” he said. PM added that rule of law changes society and ensures that there are no sugar and land mafias.

    “Change is not possible without a struggle,” Khan said adding that the Opposition raised a hue and cry regarding a change a week after they [PTI] took power.

    “My own people had to face a tough time. The media also gave an impression that Naya Pakistan can emerge by switching a button on,” he said.

    PM Khan said the country registered a growth of 4 per cent this financial year despite the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic. He said we not only saved our people from the pandemic, but also the economy.

    The government is focusing on uplifting the agriculture sector, industries, IT, housing and tourism sectors, he said, adding that a package is being introduced for the farmers to bring a green revolution in the country.

  • Who will get the Pfizer vaccine in Pakistan?

    Who will get the Pfizer vaccine in Pakistan?

    Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said on Thursday that the government has decided to prioritise giving the Pfizer vaccine to those who have a work visa. The government aims is to inoculate Hajj pilgrims and students proceeding for education abroad first.

    The federal minister said that the government is working hard to accelerate the vaccination process across the country so that restrictions are lifted and businesses are resumed.

    Umar, replying to a question, said that Pakistan had received a limited quantity of Pfizer this month and therefore, preference for its administration had to be given to some segments.

    However, he added, Pakistan would receive more doses of Pfizer in the future.

    The minister further warned that countries not accepting vaccination certificates of Chinese vaccines would turn out to be a problem for the entire world if a decision was not taken on the issue at the global level.

  • FIR filed against Tiger Shroff, Disha Patani for violating COVID-19 SOPs

    FIR filed against Tiger Shroff, Disha Patani for violating COVID-19 SOPs

    Bollywood actors Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani have landed themselves in trouble as Mumbai Police registered an FIR against the two for allegedly violating COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures  (SOPs).

    As per reports, Shroff and Patani were roaming near the Bandra bandstand in the evening after the 2 pm deadline breaking the lockdown rules.

    “The case was registered under section 188 (Disobeying the order of public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). No arrest was made because it is a bailable section,” the police told ANI.

    Read More: Nisha Rawal accuses star husband Karan Mehra of domestic violence

    Amidst the second wave of the pandemic, Maharashtra is one of the worst-hit states in India with a total tally of 5.78 million cases. All essential shops are allowed to operate between 7 am to 2 pm in the area. The state is under lockdown till June 15.

    The country has reported 28,441,986 Covid’19 cases and 338,013 deaths so far.

  • ‘No salaries for non-vaccinated employees,’ Sindh govt

    ‘No salaries for non-vaccinated employees,’ Sindh govt

    Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed authorities to stop the salaries of government employees who are not getting themselves vaccinated against the coronavirus.

    During the Coronavirus Task Force meeting held under the supervision of the chief minister, the coronavirus situation in Sindh was discussed and the overall statistics of vaccination in the province were also reviewed.

    CM Murad said salaries of unvaccinated Sindh government employees should not be released if they did not get the coronavirus vaccination and issued directives to the finance ministry in this regard. 

    According to the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), more than 79.53 million people have been vaccinated across the country so far. The national coronavirus monitoring body has set a target of vaccinating 70 million people in the country this year.

  • ‘Mild symptoms and quick recovery are because of vaccination’: Shafqat Mahmood

    ‘Mild symptoms and quick recovery are because of vaccination’: Shafqat Mahmood

    Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on Wednesday said that he has tested negative for the coronavirus and has resumed work from today.

    The minister shared the news on Twitter: “By the grace of Allah, I have fully recovered. My latest two tests are negative. Going back to work today.”

    “The mild symptoms and quick recovery are without a doubt because of the vaccination,” Mahmood tweeted. He stressed that “vaccines work and are the best defence against this horrible disease”.

    Last month, Shafqat Mahmood tested positive for coronavirus.

  • Covid-19 vaccination of citizens over 18 to start June 3

    Covid-19 vaccination of citizens over 18 to start June 3

     The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) decided on Monday to start scheduling Covid-19 vaccination for citizens above 18 years of age from June 3.

    Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar, who also heads the NCOC, tweeted: “In today’s NCOC meeting it was decided to start scheduling vaccination of registered 18 plus from Thursday the 3rd of June.”

    On May 27, the government started registering citizens aged 18 and above for vaccination against Covid-19.

    On Sunday, Asad Umar said that Pakistan set a new record of most vaccinations in a day after nearly 400,000 people received Covid jabs on Saturday. Taking to Twitter, Asad Umar said that over 383,000 people received Covid jabs on Saturday, setting a new record of most vaccinations in a day.

    The country has a total of 921,053 Covid positive cases with a positivity rate of 4.0 per cent.

  • ‘No one can dare undermine me,’ Fawad Chaudhry burns BBC HARDTalk

    ‘No one can dare undermine me,’ Fawad Chaudhry burns BBC HARDTalk

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry talked on the protection of journalists, the involvement of the establishment within the state, the economy of Pakistan, missing persons, popularity of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Covid stituation and many other issues in an interview given to BBC host Stephen John Sackur on BBC HARDtalk.

    Journalists Protection

    The host opened the interview by asking what is the government and Fawad Chaudhry being the Information Minister doing to protect the journalists of the country. Sackur mentioned the recent attack on journalist Asad Ali Toor, who was severely beaten up by unidentified assailants in his apartment. Sackur further mentioned how a senior journalist and former Chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (Pemra), Absar Alam, was shot in Islamabad. To which Fawad Chaudhry replied, “Individual incidents do happen. The situation is not only dangerous for journalists but it has been for all the citizens of Pakistan. We have faced the worst terrorism. When we were fighting our war against terrorism, we lost a lot of field journalists and many civilians.”

    “Benazir Bhutto too got killed due to terrorism. We have been dealing with tough times,” replied Fawad.

    Stephen Sackur asked what the state was doing about the involvement of state agencies in such incidents.

    “It’s a bit fashionable for the western media to accuse ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence)
    when such incidents happen. When you name any organisation or Pakistani intelligence agency, you are bound to produce evidence of their involvement as well,” replied the minister. “The two specific incidents which you have mentioned, the investigation is still under process, I still don’t know under what pretext have you concluded that the state must be involved in any of this.”

    Direct State Interference

    BBC host asked Chaudhry about freedom of speech in Pakistan. He said that media censorship has increased during Imran Khan’s tenure. Chaudhry replied, “We have about 112 private channels, 43 international channels, with this kind of mass media we have, how do you expect the state to intimidate the media? How can the state be accused of intimidating the media?”

    Censorship

    “I am the Information Minister of the world’s fifth-largest state. I am the Information Minister of one of the world’s seven nuclear states of the world. No one can dare to undermine me. I am here with full authority and I decide in Pakistan what will and what is happening,” answered Fawad when told by Sackur that Chaudhry has no real power or control.

    PTI government’s comparison with previous government’s

    The host compared the working of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with previous governments.

    “This may be a perception of some Indian-influenced think tanks, not ours. This is not the perception of the people in general. Imran Khan is the most popular prime minister,” said Fawad.

    “As said, don’t undermine the elected government of Pakistan. Imran Khan has received nearly 200 million votes. This is not a joke. He is the prime minister of a nuclear state. He takes the decisions, the cabinet takes the decisions,” added Fawad.

    Relation with establishment

    Fawad Chaudhry said that we have a very good relationship with the ‘so-called establishment’ “as you term it so often. They are part and parcel of our system. We have huge respect for them, but the decision-making rests with the prime minister and the cabinet.”

    Missing Persons

    The BBC host asked about missing persons the security establishments, and the deep state?

    “ISI and army respect human rights just as any other civilian government will do. They are the most civilised army of the world, they are the most responsible army of the world. People in Pakistan respect them for their role,” said Fawad.

    “Least number of missing persons were reported in Imran Khan’s government. We are the only government that has just passed a law against disappearance. We are the only ones who have made illegal confinement a criminal offense. And now the bill has been passed and will go to the parliament,” added Fawad

    Imran Khan’s pledge to deliver

    The show host said that PM Khan’s promises have not been delivered to the people of Pakistan.

    “Unfortunately, I do not agree with your conclusion. Right now Pakistan’s growth rate is 3.94 per cent, which is one of the highest in the whole world despite all the Covid crises,” said Fawad.

    Fawad added, “People who have voted for Prime Minister Imran Khan and PTI are still ardent fans. In the next elections, PM Imran Khan will be elected again.”

    Covid situation

    Sackur asked why only one per cent of Pakistan’s population has been vaccinated.

    “As far as Covid is concerned Pakistan is a great success story. The partial lockdown story that Prime Minister Imran Khan implemented in Pakistan was a great success story,” replied Chaudhry.

  • Pakistan to host World Environment Day on June 5: PM Khan

    Pakistan to host World Environment Day on June 5: PM Khan

    Addressing a ceremony in Haripur in connection with the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistan will be hosting World Environment Day on June 5.

    “This is a great honour and acknowledgment of the fact that Pakistan is among a handful of countries trying to reduce the impact of climate change and global warming,” said PM Khan.

    PM Khan said that his government had taken steps to protect the environment, adding that it was a worrying sign that Pakistan was included in the list of 10 countries that are worse affected from climate change.

    Earlier this month, Pakistan was chosen to host the World Environment Day 2021 in partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on June 5.

    This will be the first time in history that the country will be officially hosting the day.

    The day will be celebrated across the world through various events and activities under Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

    The theme for the day this year will be ecosystem restoration, with a special focus on creating a good relationship with nature.