The Sindh government will pay daily wage labourers who have no work these days due to the coronavirus lockdown through a mobile wallet application. The money will be given against their CNIC number and labourers will be able to get their money by showing their ID card and phone at mobile shops.
Registration requests are being submitted and the government has asked NADRA, the FIA, FBR and State Bank for help verifying them.
People who have travelled abroad, except for Hajj or pilgrimages and those with over Rs10,000 in their bank accounts will not be eligible for this money.
Daily wage workers have been out of work since the coronavirus lockdown. The government promised to provide them rations. Sindh has reported 502 cases so far.
With people ignoring the provincial government’s orders amid the coronavirus outbreak, which led to at least 472 arrests on the first day of the lockdown on Monday, Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah has hinted at imposing curfew across the province.
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government had on Sunday imposed a 15-day lockdown effective March 23 as Pakistan continued to report cases of coronavirus. Across Sindh, six violators were on Monday arrested in Mirpur Khas, eight in Sukkur, 236 in Larkana and 222 in Karachi for violating the lockdown.
Separately, a total of 72 cases were registered across the province. In Karachi, 33 cases were registered, whereas two in Mirpurkhas, one in Sukkur, and 36 in Larkana.
Speaking to a private media outlet, Shah said that the government would be left with no option other than imposing a curfew if people still did not take the lockdown orders seriously.
He once again appealed to the people to stay at home and support the government in the fight against COVID-19.
According to reports, the number of confirmed infections in Pakistan has reached 903. At least seven deaths have also been recorded with Punjab reporting its first on Tuesday.
Unfortunately, a #COVID19 Patient Afrasiyab, aged 57, who was admitted in Mayo Hospital, lost his life today. These are indeed difficult times for the whole country. Only way we can fight this pandemic is by staying indoors and following the precautionary measures.
Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani tested positive for coronavirus on Monday.
The minister tweeted a video message to reveal that he had tested positive for the virus.
گذشتہ روز میں نے کورونا وائرس کا ٹیسٹ کروایا جسکی رپورٹ مثبت آئی ہے تاحال جو Symptoms اس وائرس کے بتائے جاتے ہیں ان میں سے مجھے کچھ محسوس نہیں ہورہا اور میں خود کو بالکل صحتمند محسوس کررہا ہوں اور اپنی ذمہ داریاں گھر پر isolation میں رہ کر ادا کررہا ہوں۔ شہری بھی گھروں پر رہیں pic.twitter.com/2vzS7qt0SY
“The previous day I got myself tested for the coronavirus and the results came back positive,” he said. “However, I am not feeling any of the symptoms of the virus and feel completely fine.”
In the video message, Ghani went on to advise people he came into contact with a few days ago to isolate themselves and go into quarantine.
“If your health deteriorates further, please get yourselves checked by a doctor,” he said. “I consider it my responsibility to inform people so that those who came into contact with me can also quarantine and self-isolate themselves as I may have transmitted the infection to them.”
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb has called Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan “a petty person” for not mentioning Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah’s name in his last night’s address to nation on the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
With Sindh being the most affected by the global pandemic that has left over 200 infected in Pakistan, the provincial government led by Shah has been at the forefront in dealing with the outbreak. Among other efforts being made by the Shah administration in Sindh, it is the first provincial government to set up a Rs3 billion coronavirus relief fund besides entering a partial lockdown to contain the virus.
According to reports, the World Health Organization (WHO) country head had also praised Pakistan for its actions with regard to the outbreak on the basis of the steps taken by Sindh government. Despite this, the premier on Tuesday night didn’t mention Sindh CM or the government led by rival Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as he spoke to the nation in a televised address amid coronavirus fears.
Calling him out, Aurangzeb said that Imran “was a liar” who appeared to have no idea about the seriousness of the pandemic. Her comment came after PM Imran 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.
“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.
The premier also shared details of what the government was doing to contain the coronavirus mess.
In what is being termed as a major win for the country amid reports that the new coronavirus can be fatal for the elderly, a 64-year-old infected man in Karachi has been discharged from the hospital following complete recovery, government officials have confirmed.
Journalist Omar Qureshi had on Thursday tweeted that a 64-year-old suffering from coronavirus in Pakistan had recovered.
A 64 year old man who was suffering from coronavirus in Pakistan has recovered and has been discharged from hospital
The tweet had come after reports said that a second patient infected with the COVID-19 had been discharged from the hospital.
Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab confirmed the development, saying that the 64-year-old had tested negative and sent back home.
Provincial health officials had on Wednesday said the second coronavirus patient in Karachi was recovering and would be discharged soon if his condition improved further.
The resident of the port city’s Kharadar neighbourhood was admitted to Civil Hospital on February 29. According to the hospital administration, further tests were conducted on Wednesday and were sent to the lab. “The patient would be discharged if the test results are negative,” the hospital administration had added.
The family members of COVID-19 patient were also tested the day he contracted the virus. However, the results were negative.
Earlier, the first coronavirus patient was discharged from the hospital after full recovery.
The patient was in isolation and treatment for the past 10 days and was tested three times.
The young patient, who is believed to have contracted the virus in the Iranian holy city of Qum, was diagnosed on February 26 and subsequently shifted to the isolation ward of a private hospital. He had travelled to the Islamic Republic in a group of 28 pilgrims.
A Sindh government spokesperson, in an exclusive conversation with The Current, has rubbished reports claiming that Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah’s brother-in-law has contracted coronavirus as the pandemic spreads across Karachi.
With nine new cases in Sindh, the total number of cases of the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — in Pakistan on Monday rose to 16, out of which two patients are undergoing treatment in Islamabad while one female patient is undergoing treatment at a health facility in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The development was followed by a private media outlet’s report that one of the persons who had tested positive for coronavirus in Karachi had reached the port city from Syria via Doha on Sunday, and was the brother-in-law of Sindh CM.
“Asif Hyder Shah is a federal secretary and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Karachi after testing positive for COVID-19,” the report had claimed.
The claim, however, was rejected by a spokesperson of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government in Sindh. “Asif Hyder Shah is a federal secretary and brother-in-law of Murad Ali Shah, but he hasn’t tested positive for the virus,” the spokesperson told The Current.
While it was confirmed that seven persons who reached Karachi from Syria via Doha had tested positive for the coronavirus in the last two days, CM Murad’s brother-in-law wasn’t among them.
Meanwhile, strict measures have been taken by the government, including extending border closure with Afghanistan for seven more days and installing screening machines at all major airports in the country.
According to reports, the Sindh government is considering a proposal to issue an advisory requesting a ban on public events, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and it is likely that the remaining matches of the PSL to be held in Karachi will be shifted to Lahore.
A meeting of the provincial authorities has also recommended setting up a health desk at the Karachi airport.
With the help of the desk, all those entering Karachi through the airport will be screened for the coronavirus. A spokesperson for the health department said health desks will also be established at hospitals, Geo reported.
The desks at hospitals, named front-line desks, will provide up-to-date information about the spread of the virus in the city.
A recommendation to shut schools in the province for a longer period will also be sent to the Sindh CM; exams would, however, be held as per schedule, the Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah has said.
Sindh Health Department is mulling over a proposal to issue an advisory for the public and requesting a ban on public events in Karachi, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL), after nine new coronavirus cases were confirmed in the port city on Monday, followed by another two in Sindh on Tuesday.
According to Geo, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials are in touch with the Sindh government regarding the fate of the PSL matches that are to be held in Karachi over the next two weeks.
“PCB officials are in constant touch with the Sindh government and attending all the meetings regarding PSL matches in the city,” a PCB spokesperson was quoted as saying.
The spokesperson further said that the board would follow the Sindh government’s directives. “However, for now, the matches are still scheduled for Karachi.”
As per the details of the two cases surfacing Tuesday, the first case of the novel coronavirus emerged in Hyderabad. The patient had reportedly come to Pakistan from Doha via Syria. The second case of the virus emerged in Karachi, putting the total tally of cases in the port city at 15.
The total number of infections in Pakistan has now reached 18.
ENGRO SHUTS DOWN KARACHI HARBOUR FRONT OFFICES:
Engro Corporation shut down its offices in the HarbourFront building on Tuesday after an employee was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus.
Engro is a Pakistani multinational conglomerate company with subsidiaries involved in production of fertilizers, foods, chemicals, energy and petrochemicals. Its major subsidiaries, Engro Fertilizers, is one of the largest fertilizer manufacturers in the world.
A statement from the corporation stated that at 1 pm on Tuesday, an employee who worked at the eighth-floor office of the building was diagnosed with the coronavirus.
The statement further said that the employee was last in the office for a few hours on Friday, March 6, 2020. The organisation said it had decided to shut its offices for three days “on medical advice from our doctor and in consultation with relevant experts”.
“Only as a precautionary measure, all Engro offices at the HarbourFront building shall remain closed over the next three days, with business to resume on Monday, March 16, 2020,” read the statement.
The organisation told its employees to work from home for the next three days and stated that upon their return, they will be screened for the novel infection.
Meanwhile, Sindh education secretary has dismissed rumours claiming that the provincial government was mulling plans to extend school holidays across the province as the coronavirus pandemic worsens.
Earlier in the day, it had been reported that the provincial health department will send a recommendation to Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah for schools to remain shut for a longer period.
Speaking to a private media outlet, Khalid Shah said the Sindh government was not considering any recommendations seeking an extension in school holidays. “All educational institutions in Sindh will re-open on March 16,” he said.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the health department held on Tuesday morning under the chair of the province’s health minister.
The government of Sindh on Tuesday decided to impose a new tax on the use of water in the province, Profit reported.
A draft of law comprising recommendations for the proposed tax has been prepared and the officials of local government department will brief the members of the provincial cabinet over the upcoming Sindh Water Tax Act in a meeting.
The draft of the law suggests Rs1 per litre tax on water, sources said. The tax will be recovered from the mineral water companies, according to sources.
Proposed tax will also be recovered from the soft drinks manufacturing companies, as per the report
The revenue generated by the proposed tax will be distributed among the Karachi Water Board and the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA).
A private media outlet’s reporter, Aziz Memon, who exposed train march of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari from March 2019, has allegedly been murdered weeks after claiming that his life was at risk amid threats from workers and leaders of Sindh’s ruling party.
As per the details, Memon, who was a resident of Mehrabpur city and an employee of Kawish Television Network (KTN) as well as Sindhi daily Kawish, was on Sunday found in Gaddo Branch Canal with a wire wrapped around his neck, showing signs of strangulation.
Family sources said that the deceased had asked his cameraman to drop him at a ceremony in Behlani village, and later, villagers spotted his body floating in the canal. While local police did not rule out foul play, the doctor, who conducted his autopsy, said he could not confirm if Memon was strangled to death.
With the death drawing strong reactions from the journalist community — Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors among other local and national media bodies condemning the alleged murder and continued acts of violence against journalists to silence the voice of dissent –, veteran journalist Hamid Mir took to Twitter and revealed one of the recent threats of dire consequences received by Memon.
This is Aziz Memon KTN reporter from Mehrabpur Sindh he recorded this video message sometime ago and informed that his life was under threat because some PPP leaders were angry with him due to his reporting he was brutally killed 2day near his home @CPJAsia@BBhuttoZardaripic.twitter.com/CE853YgGXL
“This is Aziz Memon KTN reporter from Mehrabpur Sindh he recorded this video message some time ago and informed that his life was under threat because some PPP leaders were angry with him due to his reporting he was brutally killed 2day near his home [sic],” he tweeted along with a video message by Memon wherein he was heard sharing how he and his loved ones were in danger.
یہ کے ٹی این نیوز کے محراب پور سندھ کے رپورٹر عزیز میمن ہیں مارچ 2019 میں بلاول بھٹو زرداری کے ٹرین مارچ میں پیسے دیکر لائی جانے والی عورتوں کے متعلق سٹوری دینے پر انہیں دھمکیوں کا سامنا تھا آج انہیں قتل کر کے لاش نہر میں پھینک دی گئی اس ظلم کا صحافی برادری کو حساب لینا ہو گا pic.twitter.com/NMgKLwt8Xc
In a subsequent tweet, Mir said that the “slain” journalist was receiving threats of dire consequences for his report claiming that the PPP had paid women to participate in Bilawal’s train march.
PPP chief Bilawal had in March 2019 launched the first phase of his party’s anti-government march by train — “Karavan-e-Bhutto” — from Karachi to Larkana.
On the way, the PPP chairman had addressed party supporters and activists at a number of railway stations, including Landhi in Karachi, Jung Shahi in Thatta, Kotri in Jamshoro, Odero Lal in Matiari, Tando Adam, Shahdadpur and Nawabshah.
The train had passed Daur, Padidan, Mihrabpur, Bhirya Road, Khairpur Miris, Rohri, Sukkur, Habib Kot, Gosri, Madeji and Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto to finally reach Larkana, with a large number of people — many of whom according to Memon’s report were paid to join — welcoming the caravan at every stop.
While Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah has reportedly taken notice of the alleged murder of the 56-year-old journalist and directed the authorities concerned to ensure immediate arrest of the killers, The Current reached out to Sindh government spokesperson and adviser to CM on law, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, for a comment on claims regarding his party workers or leaders’ alleged involvement in Memon’s death.
Condemning the death, Murtaza offered his condolences to the bereaved family and rejected the allegations levelled against the PPP leadership. “There is no truth these claims,” he said, adding that a thorough investigation will be launched into Memon’s death and the culprits would be brought to justice at all costs.
Sindh Minister for Local Government and Forests Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has announced that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will soon inaugurate the world’s largest urban forest that will be planted along the Lyari River in Karachi over an area of 26 kilometres.
According to The News, Shah, while speaking to journalists on Monday, vowed to ensure that only environment-friendly trees that bear fruits will be planted, and said the project had been initiated according to the vision of the PPP chairman.
The first phase of the project will be initiated at the bank of the Lyari River, while in the second phase, an urban forest will be planted along the Malir River, he added.
The minister directed the authorities concerned to make arrangements for setting up recreational facilities for citizens as part of the project and also ordered constructing small playgrounds for children as well as a jogging track.
He said that planting an urban forest along the rivers will turn the entire area into an attractive spot for local and foreign tourists. Shah added that such urban forests will also be planted in other parts of the city.
The minister said that apart from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), other political parties are also supporting the provincial government in the project and announced constructing football, boxing grounds as well as volleyball and basketball courts for children of the city so they can involve themselves in healthy activities.
The minister said that due to climate change and the ever-increasing temperature of Karachi, it was necessary to plant more trees. He also urged Karachiites to help in curbing pollution.
