Tag: Pakistan

  • 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.

  • ‘Pakistan prepared to send limited Hajj pilgrims’

    ‘Pakistan prepared to send limited Hajj pilgrims’

    Saudi Arabia has not announced a Hajj policy yet, however, Pakistan has made complete arrangements to send limited pilgrims for Hajj, says Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr Noorul Haq Qadri.

    In an interview with Ali Furqan on Voice of America (VOA), Qadri said that this year’s Hajj would be a bit expensive as compared to the last year due to COVID-19 SOPs, however, an exact estimate can only be made after the final announcement by Saudi Arabia regarding SOPs and number of pilgrims.

    It would not be possible for Saudi Arabia to make normal arrangements as there’s a little time left for Hajj. He said Saudi Arabia will be able to make limited arrangements, but it has not confirmed the number of pilgrims.

    Qadri told that the Pakistan government is in contact with Saudi authorities and Saudi Arabia also wanted to take major Muslim countries in confidence before a final decision. He said that Saudi Arabia was making strict SOPs for Hajj during the pandemic. Pakistan will be ensuring the application of these coronavirus SOPs.

    Read More: Saudi Arabia says COVID-19 vaccination is ‘must’ for 2021 Hajj

    He further added that all pilgrims would have to submit negative COVID-19 tests results before leaving Pakistan and after the arrival in Saudi Arabia, all pilgrims will have to self-isolate for three days. 

    A coronavirus test will also be compulsory on arrival in Madina from Makkah and on returning back to Makkah.

    Regarding the issue of Saudi Arabia’s not accepting the Chinese vaccine, the minister said, “Pakistan will convince Saudi Arabia to recognise Chinese vaccine as WHO has approved the Sinopharm vaccine of China and most Pakistanis have been administered with the Chinese vaccine.” 

    In the proposed Hajj policy, Saudi Arabia has recommended vaccines including Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson’s.

  • Kuwait lifts ban on visas for Pakistani citizens after a decade

    Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Sunday announced that Kuwait will resume different visas for Pakistani citizens after a 10-year pause. Sheikh Rashid met Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah during his one-day visit to Kuwait.

    Kuwaiti Interior Minister Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait Syed Sajjad Haider were also present during the meeting.

    “It has been decided to immediately restore family and business visas between Pakistan and Kuwait,” wrote the interior minister in a tweet.

    He said that the restoration of work visa will create new employment opportunities for Pakistanis, and it would also boost trade between the two countries.

    Kuwait imposed a ban on the issuance of visas to Pakistani citizens in 2011.

    During the visit he also gave the Kuwaiti premier a special letter from Prime Minister Imran Khan.

  • Rahim Pardesi’s wife ‘almost died’ due to doctor’s negligence

    Rahim Pardesi’s wife ‘almost died’ due to doctor’s negligence

    YouTuber and content creator Rahim Pardesi recently shared that his wife almost died due to a doctor’s negligence at a private hospital. Pardesi said that he made the video to highlight how doctors and big hospitals mistreat patients.

    In a video titled ‘My wife almost died,’ Pardesi and his wife Somia detailed their painful experience of childbirth and how Somia almost died due to doctors negligence.

    The couple revealed that the doctor first kept insisting on Somia to have a Cesarean delivery. When the child was delivered naturally via normal delivery, the doctors left five sponges inside her body.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k51kJhaSkE4

    The incident has sparked a debate on social media on negligence by doctors in Pakistan.

    Read More – Female YouTuber who was receiving threats thanks police for support

    Commenting on Pardesi’s video, one social media user commented that “his niece lost her brain” due to the negligence of the same doctor.

    “I am a doc and I don’t understand why some doctors in Pakistan think they are holy cows and they are not accountable to anyone (sic)”, wrote another user.

    On the other hand, some people thought that Pardesi’s video was a character and professional assassination of the doctor.

    “I can understand the discomfort or feelings but it’s clearly a character and professional assassination of a professional,” wrote a social media user.

    Pardesi, who moved to Pakistan from Scotland, a few years back is a well-known comedian, YouTuber and content creator who is famous for his funny videos. He is best known for his character Nasreen.

  • 13 mesmerising photos of the Super Flower Blood Moon

    13 mesmerising photos of the Super Flower Blood Moon

    The first lunar eclipse of the current year took place on May 26 (Wednesday) but it wasn’t just a lunar eclipse with a simple full moon, it was a Super Flower Blood Moon. Photos of the Super Flower Blood Moon were shared from around the world and some scenic pictures will leave you in shock.

    A super moon occurs when the moon appears larger than usual in the night sky because it is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, known as the perigee.

    According to NASA, a blood moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse, when the Earth is positioned directly between the moon and the sun. Earth’s atmosphere filters the sunlight, scattering blue light but allowing red light to pass through.

    May’s full moon is additionally known as the “Flower Moon,” named for the abundance of flowers associated with spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

    Astrophotographers around the globe captured breathtaking images of the event, which was clearly visible in Asia and Australia, as well as much of the US and South America.

    Here are some of the pictures that we’ve collected for you:

    Pakistan

    Arfa Karim Tower, Lahore by Art by Wasif

    New Zealand

    The total lunar eclipse is seen on May 26, 2021, in Auckland, New Zealand. 

    Australia

    A surfer is seen as the “Super Flower Blood Moon” rises over the Pacific Ocean at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on May 26, 2021.

    Brazil

    A lunar eclipse is observed during dawn in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

    Britain

    The full moon is seen behind Stonehenge stone circle near Amesbury, Britain, May 26, 2021.

    Hong Kong

    The moon is pictured above Hong Kong on May 26, 2021, during a total lunar eclipse.

    California

    The full moon sets over Santa Monica Beach in Santa Monica, California, Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

    Mexico

    The lunar eclipse is seen on May 26, 2021, in Mexico City, Mexico.

    Taiwan

    A full moon is seen, May 26, 2021, during a partial eclipse in Taipei.

    Indonesia

    The moon is pictured above Jakarta during a total lunar eclipse, on May 26, 2021,

    China

    A total lunar eclipse occurs in the night sky of Haikou, the capital of southwest China’s Hainan Province, on May 25, 2021.

    Hawaii

    The full moon rises over the Makapuu lighthouse in east Oahu, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S., on May 25, 2021. 

    Turkey

    The full moon is seen over the Anitkabir, the mausoleum of modern Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in Ankara, Turkey, on May 26, 2021.

  • How to beat the heat without AC

    How to beat the heat without AC

    Summers have officially unleashed their wrath in Pakistan with temperatures soaring leaving people dehydrated and feeling very hot. Not everyone has the option of an air conditioner and even if they do, many might prefer to save some money on your electricity bill or care about the environmental impact. Here are a few suggestions for staying cool, even without AC.

    Stay hydrated

    When you’re hot and exhausted, hydrating yourself is the first and foremost step to cooling down. Try to drink as much water as you can and stay hydrated.

    Take a cold shower using peppermint soap

    You can take your cold shower experience to the next level by using peppermint products. The menthol in peppermint products activates brain receptors that convey whether something you’re eating or feeling is cold. Taking a cold shower generally helps cool your body by lowering your core temperature.

    Read more – Six tips to manage self-isolation anxiety

    Use heat-blocking curtains

    One of the best ways to keep your home cool in the summer is to keep the sun out and give the hot air somewhere to go. One should consider using some heat-blocking curtains or chics to block the heat. Once the temperature starts to get a little cooler outside, open those curtains and let the warm air out. 

    Consume summer drinks

    Drink fresh juices and you can add Tukhm-e-Balanga (Basil Seeds), Gond katira or sattu in your drink to stay cool and hydrated.

    Use the exhaust fan in your kitchen and/or bathroom

    Turn on the exhaust fan in your kitchen to let the hot air out that rises after you cook or in your bathroom to draw out steam after you bath.

  • ‘American Eid’: Disney+ is all set to release a short film on a Pakistani girl

    Disney+ has released the trailer a the short film, American Eid. The story of American Eid revolves around two young girls from Pakistan- Ameena and Zainab- and their struggle to celebrate Eid in the United States (US).

    Sharing her excitement over the film on social media, director Aqsa Altaf said: “The trailer for American Eid is here! I dreamed of telling a Disney Eid story and I will forever be grateful to Disney, Launchpad and the entire cast and crew for making this film a reality.”

    American Eid by Disney+ is a part of the Launchpad series which will feature six original short films.

    “Launchpad is about giving access and opportunity to those in Hollywood who historically have been left behind and not given those opportunities and access,” said Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Walt Disney Company, Mahin Ibrahim.

  • Pakistan to open vaccine registration for citizens aged 19 and above

    Pakistan to open vaccine registration for citizens aged 19 and above

    Pakistan will start registering persons aged 19 and above for coronavirus vaccination from tomorrow, May 27.

    Asad Umar tweeted that National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has decided to open vaccination registration for all citizens aged 19 and above.

    Registration will start tomorrow. “So now registration will be open for the entire national population which is approved by health experts for Covid vaccination,” tweeted Asad Umar.

    Registration for citizens aged 30 and above started on May 16.

  • Maryam Mujtaba becomes first woman commercial pilot from Azad Kashmir

    Maryam Mujtaba becomes first woman commercial pilot from Azad Kashmir

    Maryam Mujtaba, a resident of Muzaffarabad has become the first female commercial pilot from Azad Kashmir.

    Talking to the media, Mujtaba said that flying planes always attracted her and she wanted to become a part of the aviation industry.

    AJK President Sardar Masood Khan praised her contributions to the field and has called her a role model for other young women.

    Mujtaba joined Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) back in 2011 as a cadet pilot. After getting the training from academies in Rawalpindi and America, she completed her flying hours through numerous domestic flights.

    Read more – Sindh appoints first-ever Hindu female Deputy Superintendent

    She was just promoted as a first officer by the national flag carrier after she finished her designated flying hours. Mujtaba currently operates the PIA Airbus A-320 aircraft in various countries of the world.

    Recalling her journey, she said her inspiration was captain Ayesha Rabia, who was also a captain in PIA. 

    “When I was a child, I was very excited to see a woman flying planes and I told my father that girls can fly planes too,” the pilot remembered, adding that it wasn’t always smooth sailing, but things turned out in her favour.

    She attributed her success to her family, friends and colleagues.

    Mujtaba encouraged women who want to become pilot and those who want to pursue other fields.

    Mujtaba highlighted that confidence is the “key to success.”

    “You should always be confident about what you are doing and take charge of your responsibilities,” the pilot advised.

  • Former Israeli defense minister shows Islamabad’s Shifa Hospital as Hamas headquarters

    Former Israeli defense minister shows Islamabad’s Shifa Hospital as Hamas headquarters

    Israel’s former defence minister Naftali Bennett, in a video posted to YouTube on the Gaza situation, referred to Pakistan’s Shifa International Hospital as Hamas Headquarters where the Al-Qassam Brigade of Hamas has been operating.

    “Ever heard of Shifa Hospital? It is the largest medical complex in Gaza. It’s also where Hamas’ headquarters is located while they are conducting terror actions against Israel”, he explained while showing a picture of the Shifa Hospital building in the background.

    Read more – Gaza’s largest bookshop destroyed by Israeli airstrikes

    Shifa International Hospital is a care healthcare facility in Islamabad providing medical services to local as well as international patient communities for over 25 years.

    Social media users soon started calling out the ex-minister for the blunder.