LAHORE: Social media groups have been swelling with advice and “totkas” or home remedies to fight the coronavirus. As many readers may turn to them in panic amid the current outbreak, Arab News reached out to health professionals to dispel the myths that may cause more harm than good.
The situation in Pakistan is becoming serious. To stop the spread of Covid-19 infection, the National Security Committee (NSC) on Friday evening introduced a host of measures, including the sealing of borders with Iran and Afghanistan, travel restrictions and bans on public gatherings.
While scientists are struggling to understand how the novel virus works, many anxious Pakistanis have started to share their tips and tricks to prevent infection.
Onions top the list of well-intentioned home remedy counsels as powerful antiviral actors.
Muzaffir Pasha, a medical student told Arab News about his grandmother insisting they drink water that was boiled with onions. “She said it would fight the virus because onions are known to be immunity boosting.”
Chomping raw onions has also been shared a protective measure. “It will keep you safe,” Sara Jamil from Islamabad was told. “But there was no explanation why.”
According to Dr. Mehreen Mujtaba, however, “it’s a viral infection ... no amount of onions, kalonji (fennel) or kalonji tea, hot baths, alcohol consumption can prevent or cure it.”
Some other social media advice was going to swimming pools, as rumors say chlorine in water kills the virus. “I heard swimming will kill it off our bodies,” laughed educator and comedian Mina Hassan Malik.
But Dr. Mujtaba disagrees.
“The virus enters the blood stream through the mucous membranes of nose, mouth, and hence chlorine in swimming pools, hot water baths cannot prevent anyone from getting the infection,” she said.
Other common tips included taking up smoking in belief that as it repels mosquitoes it would also scare away the virus. However, that is not how things work.
“Smoking is a really bad idea as it damages the lungs and makes people more susceptible to getting severe symptoms of the disease,” Dr. Mujtaba said.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, washing one’s hands for at least 20 seconds is the strongest defense against the virus. If you are sick, stay at home to prevent infecting others. If you develop fever, coughing and have breathing difficulties, consult your doctor.
Traditional remedies won’t protect you from coronavirus
https://arab.news/m4khq
Traditional remedies won’t protect you from coronavirus
- No amount of onions can prevent or cure coronavirus, says doctor
- If you develop fever and have breathing difficulties, seek professional medical help
Police in Pakistan’s Karachi say 71 of 75 extortion cases traced as businesses complain of threats
- Builders told provincial authorities this week extortion calls were traced to numbers operating from abroad
- Police say 128 suspects were identified, with 91 arrested and six killed in encounters during investigations
ISLAMABAD: Police in Karachi said on Saturday they traced 71 of 75 confirmed extortion cases this year, arresting 91 suspects and killing six in encounters, amid complaints from businesses about rising threats in Pakistan’s commercial hub.
The disclosure follows recent complaints by builders and developers who told provincial authorities that extortion demands had increased in Karachi, with some calls traced to numbers operating from abroad, prompting assurances of tougher enforcement by the Sindh government.
“In 2025, a total of 171 extortion cases were registered, of which 75 were confirmed as genuine extortion,” police said in a statement. “Of these 75 cases, 71 were traced, representing a 95 percent trace rate.”
According to the report released by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) Karachi, the remaining 96 cases initially registered as extortion were later found to be linked to financial disputes, land and plot conflicts, personal matters, fights and other non-extortion-related disagreements.
Police said 128 suspects were identified in the confirmed extortion cases. Of these, six were killed in encounters with the SIU, while 14 others were arrested in injured condition during operations.
A total of 91 suspects were arrested over the course of the year, the statement said, adding that crackdowns against extortion would continue.
Karachi, Pakistan’s largest and most populous city, is the country’s financial and commercial capital, accounting for a significant share of national revenue, trade and industrial activity.
The city has long struggled with crime, political violence and organized criminal networks, with members of the business community repeatedly warning that extortion poses a persistent threat to investment and economic stability.
