Tag: Pakistan

  • Are you kidding us, Khan Sahib?

    Are you kidding us, Khan Sahib?

    Coronavirus pandemic has changed the dynamics of the entire world. Self-isolation, a concept most of us are not familiar with, will slowly but surely become necessary in the coming days. As Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau said, “For a little while, this will be our new normal.”

    But while Trudeau and very few other world leaders, including New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern, declare war on the pandemic, others, among whom is PM Imran Khan, still don’t appear to be understanding the gravity of the situation at hand.

    Four coronavirus patients have died in Pakistan — three in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and one in Sindh. The number of cases is rapidly increasing (645 in less than a month), and if a nationwide lockdown isn’t put in place, it will continue to rise exponentially.

    After sticking to his mantra of ‘ghabrana nahi hai [don’t panic]’ for the past few days, the premier does no longer seem very sure if the masses should panic or not.

    “Pakistan cannot afford to impose a total lockdown. 25% of the people in the country live below the poverty line,” PM Imran said in his second address to the nation in three days on Sunday. “What will happen to them if I go ahead with the lockdown?”

    The premier added that if the economic situation of the country had been like that of Italy and China, he would have thought about imposing a lockdown. “Let me tell you what a lockdown is. A lockdown means putting a curfew and restricting people to their homes with the military on the streets,” he said.

    The situation escalated in Italy and China, Khan Sahib, evidently because the authorities didn’t impose a lockdown until it was too late.

    Your address to the nation and recent interaction with journalists were not exactly what we had hoped for. We understand you are worried about the poor, the daily wagers, the economy and many other things.

    But…

    After shutting down as much as the provincial governments already have, after the closure of educational institutions and the bearish trend in PSX amid global sell-out on COVID-19 fears, what further closures would a total lockdown entail?

    All international air operations are already closed. Most borders are closed. Wedding halls, shopping malls, restaurants are already shut. Massive unemployment has already been created. Moving towards total lockdown at this stage will presumably have a very little marginal impact.

    Is it paralysis of analysis which appears to be the hallmark of decision-making behind closed doors in Islamabad for quite some time now?

    In case of a total lockdown, what matters the most is taking care of the neglected segments of society – that they keep on receiving life support cash allowances or food aid. For starters, 50% of the budget of both civil and defence annual development programmes should be placed in a welfare account for such activities.

    Welfare… isn’t that what you promised, Khan Sahib?

    We know that a lockdown or delaying a lockdown is akin to be caught between a rock and a hard place. We understand that this is an immensely difficult and unforeseen situation but the government must act fast.

    Let’s learn from the mistakes made by countries that are the worst-hit by the new coronavirus, and try not to repeat them. 

    Lockdown does not mean that coronavirus cases will end, but it will definitely flatten the curve. This is what Pakistan needs to do. Our healthcare facilities are not equipped to deal with the impending crisis.

  • VIDEO: President wants a ‘volunteer force’ to fight coronavirus in Pakistan

    VIDEO: President wants a ‘volunteer force’ to fight coronavirus in Pakistan

    Urging the nation to show unity in the persisting difficult time, President Dr Arif Alvi has stressed the need to form a China-like volunteer force in Pakistan to fight the new coronavirus.

    President Alvi, in a video message, said China has fought the coronavirus pandemic on the national-level and formed a force of volunteers which was also needed in Pakistan.

    He said that people must unite to face the challenge instead of panicking, and asked clerics to raise awareness regarding COVID-19. The president also asked media houses to play their role in spreading awareness so that people adopt prevention measures.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    The president said that China was facing isolation and extreme criticism from the West over the spread of coronavirus, but, he added, the Chinese leadership has appreciated Pakistan for exhibiting full confidence in Beijing and not bringing back students.

    He admitted that the Pakistani students, who had shown concerns over not being repatriated from China, studying in 15 different universities in the virus-hit country had also now changed their opinion after being looked after by Chinese authorities in a better way.

    “I have thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping over taking good care of them [Pakistani students in Wuhan/Hubei].”

    He also said the Chinese exhibited great resilience and unity against COVID-19 pandemic and Pakistan should learn from their experience to combat the disease.

    The president added that during his trip to the erstwhile epicentre of the virus, he held hours-long discussions with the Chinese leadership over effective measures adopted by Beijing to contain COVID-19.

  • Hira Mani calls US citizens ‘cowards’ for fearing corona

    Hira Mani calls US citizens ‘cowards’ for fearing corona

    The rapid spread of coronavirus around the globe has created panic among the people and the health experts are urging people to stay at home, practise social distancing and not travel abroad.

    Amid all this, Pakistani actors Adnan Siddiqui, Hira Mani and Humayun Saeed are in the United States for Meray Paas Tum Ho ‘Meet and Greets’.

    Though they are taking precautionary measures – like wearing masks – while travelling, Hira does not seem to understand the seriousness of the situation.

    In a video on her Instagram stories, the actor says: “There’s a strict curfew here, big brands are closed, streets are empty. I went to a mall here, First Colony and there, all the Pakistani people, salesgirls were present and all white people were on leave; they turned out to be quite cowardly.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9xPMtBpshd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B906UMGJMS2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Meanwhile, Hira’s comments sparked outrage on social media.

  • Groom arrested for arranging valima ceremony amid coronavirus outbreak

    Groom arrested for arranging valima ceremony amid coronavirus outbreak

    Despite calls for self-isolation and social distancing and the imposition of Section 144 in Punjab, a wedding in Multan went ahead as planned following which the groom was arrested for not abiding by the rules.

    According to reports, officials on Monday were informed that a wedding reception was being held at Nasir Public School. Deputy Commissioner Amir Khattak ordered a team to launch a crackdown on the wedding. Upon reaching the venue, officials arrested the groom who was standing outside the hall to welcome his guests. Police began to remove all the tents at the site and called off the function. An FIR was registered against the groom as well as the principal of the school, Bilal Dogar, for organising the event.

    Meanwhile, following a sharp increase in cases of coronavirus in Pakistan, the government has imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Punjab for the next three weeks. In a bid to stop the virus from spreading further, the government has also ordered citizens to voluntarily self-isolate and not congregate.

    Politicians, celebrities and health experts are also appealing to the people to practise self-isolation and social distancing.

  • ‘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: 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.

  • Coronavirus: ‘Don’t panic,’ says Imran’s aide as Pakistan records highest single-day rise in cases

    Coronavirus: ‘Don’t panic,’ says Imran’s aide as Pakistan records highest single-day rise in cases

    Pakistan on Monday recorded its biggest single-day spike in coronavirus infections, taking the tally to 184, amid reports of ineffective quarantine procedures many of those are reported to be among those who had been held at a quarantine camp at the country’s Taftan border crossing with Iran.

    Dera Ghazi Khan authorities confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus on Monday, raising the provincial count to two cases. The patient, who was among the 814 persons quarantined at a facility in DG Khan, had arrived from the Taftan border. DG Khan Health CEO said that the patient, a resident of Layyah, had been shifted to Indus Hospital Muzaffargarh.

    DG Khan Commissioner Naseem Sadiq said that another five patients, suspected of having contracted the virus, had also been shifted to Indus Hospital Muzaffargarh

    With an addition of 47 new cases, the tally of coronavirus cases in Sindh reached 150. According to a spokesperson for the Sindh health department, 119 of the cases arrived in Sukkur from Taftan, 30 are from Karachi while one is from Hyderabad. Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said that the “exponential increase is largely due to the recent inflow of people brought in from Taftan after a purported quarantine”.

    Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed the provincial police chief to carry out raids on stores and pharmacies that are selling overpriced tissue papers, hand sanitisers and anti-septics.

    The Sindh government is also contemplating closing restaurants and tea shops by 9 pm, as the number of coronavirus cases in the province continues to rise. “I am now adopting a zero-tolerance policy,” Chief Minister Shah was quoted as saying in a statement by his media consultant. “If our people stay out and visit eateries until late at night, I will shut down restaurants and hotels,” Shah added.

    However, as per the government data, no deaths due to the coronavirus have been recorded.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan also chaired a meeting of the country’s national coordination committee on COVID-19. No major announcements were made following the meeting.

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) also reported its first cases of coronavirus, confirming 15 positive cases. KP Health Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra tweeted that 15 out of 19 individuals who arrived in the province from Taftan have tested positive for the virus.

    “They are being well looked after in quarantine in an isolated facility in Dera Ismail Khan,” he wrote.

    ‘DON’T PANIC’:

    With the coronavirus scare intensifying due to the sudden spike in the number of infections in Pakistan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said that the government has extended its emergency measures, including travel restrictions and a ban on public gatherings to the entire country to tackle the coronavirus.

    Addressing a press conference, Dr Mirza said that there was no immediate need to lockdown cities in the country as the situation is “still under control”.

    He assured the public that the current preventive measures adopted by the health ministry are sufficient to control the spread of the novel coronavirus in Pakistan, adding, that measures would be tightened up if the situation turns more serious.

  • Police arrest shopkeeper for selling overpriced hand sanitizers

    Police arrest shopkeeper for selling overpriced hand sanitizers

    A shopkeeper was arrested for selling hand sanitizers at inflated prices in Karachi.

    As per reports, the police had raided a pharmacy in Dolmen Mall, Clifton and arrested a shopkeeper who was allegedly selling sanitizers at more than four times the original market price. He was arrested for violating Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

    As the number of coronavirus cases hit 184, there is a shortage of hand sanitizers and face masks at the grocery stores across the country.

    People have been directed to use hand sanitizer to protect themselves from the pandemic.

    Earlier, the police had arrested another shopkeeper for selling a bottle of hand sanitizer at Rs 1,000. A case was registered against him and 288 bottles of sanitizer were seized from his possession.

  • ‘Nawaz Sharif as PM barred Foreign Office from speaking against India,’ ex-diplomat claims

    ‘Nawaz Sharif as PM barred Foreign Office from speaking against India,’ ex-diplomat claims

    Former spokesperson for the Foreign Office (FO) Tasneem Aslam has claimed that former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif had barred the FO from commenting against India and its spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, who is currently in Pakistan’s custody.

    “Nawaz Sharif did not want to say anything against India and Jadhav through the Foreign Office,” she claimed during an interview with a YouTube channel being run by journalist Isa Naqvi.

    When asked if Nawaz’s instruction benefited the country, Tasneem, who worked as FO spokesperson twice — from 2005 to 2007 under military ruler General (r) Pervez Musharraf and during the last Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government between 2013 and 2017, said it “did not benefit the country” but she did not know “whether it benefited Nawaz’s own interests or not”.

    She said Nawaz had business interests in India and he did not meet Muslim leaders of India-held Kashmir when he visited India as the premier. “Usually, every PM of Pakistan meets Hurriyat leaders but Nawaz Sharif did not meet them when he visited India.”

    Nawaz had visited India in 2014. Aslam further said even in his speech at the United Nations (UN) summit, Nawaz did not talk about India and Jadhav but on the Kashmir issue.

    Meanwhile, PML-N Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb told Dawn that the comments by a retired FO official bore no resemblance to reality. “It is a false and biased expression of an individual’s views, based on her personal predilections.”

    Recalling efforts made by Nawaz to resolve the Kashmir dispute, she said that “the principled manner in which he dealt with the issue of Pakistan’s relations with its eastern neighbour was well documented”.

    Marriyum added that the former premier’s address to the UN General Assembly in 2016 contained the most forceful references ever to the issue of Kashmir and the most powerful condemnation of the atrocities and brutalities of the Indian occupation forces.

    The former diplomat’s statements have not been very well-received by Twitterati either.

    What do you think of Tasneem’s statement? Let The Current know in the comments.

  • Deceased Peshawar patient did not have coronavirus, tests confirm

    Deceased Peshawar patient did not have coronavirus, tests confirm

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Health Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra has withdrawn his earlier tweet regarding the first death of a suspected coronavirus case in Peshawar, saying that the deceased had tested negative for COVID-19.

    Earlier, it was reported that the patient had been admitted to Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar and his test results were awaited, causing panic over what could have been Pakistan’s first reported death due to the new coronavirus.

    RELATED: How to get yourself tested for coronavirus in Pakistan

    If he had the virus when he died, he will be the first confirmed coronavirus death in Pakistan. However, the website https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ has already listed one death for Pakistan in it’s rankings of cases around the world.

    Screenshot from website worldometer info, which is ranking coronavirus cases in the world. Pakistan is listed as having one death due to the virus

    READ MORE: Sindh confirms 41 new cases of coronavirus, 94 infections confirmed in Pakistan

    There are at least 94 more cases in Pakistan and are steadily rising.