ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s daily infection rate dropped below 3,000 for the second straight day, though medical experts caution it may be due to less testing.
Barely 21,000 tests for the coronavirus are carried out each day, compared to a peak of nearly 33,000. Still some medical professionals, particularly in the eastern city of Lahore, the capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province where nearly 60% of the country’s 220 million people live, are suggesting the virus may have peaked in June.
Pakistan’s prime minister has mandated masks but enforcement and use are erratic and social distancing is limited. Still the government has implemented lockdowns on at least 800 markets, businesses and residential areas where hospots of the infection have emerged.
As of Wednesday, Pakistan has recorded 237,489 infections with 2,980 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours among 21,951 tests conducted. So far 4,922 people have died of the virus, with 80 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has resisted complete lockdowns, saying they would hit the poorest hardest. The poverty rate in Pakistan has climbed from around 30% to 40%, according to economists.
Pakistan's daily infections drop as testing cut
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Pakistan's daily infections drop as testing cut
- Barely 21,000 tests for the coronavirus are being carried out each day now, compared to a peak of nearly 33,000
- Some medical professionals are suggesting the virus may have peaked in Pakistan in June
Pakistan, Bangladesh explore avenues for cooperation in railways sector
- Islamabad, Dhaka have lately been looking to strengthen institutional linkages to broaden cooperation amid thaw in ties
- Pakistan offers expertise in railway development, rolling stock and manufacturing to visiting Bangladeshi officials
KARACHI: Pakistani and Bangladeshi officials have discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the railways sector, including technical collaboration and capacity-building, the Pakistani railways ministry said on Saturday, as the two sides explore avenues to expand bilateral ties.
The statement came after a visit of Bangladesh’s Secretary for International Organizations Farhad Islam and High Commissioner to Pakistan Mohammad Iqbal Hussain Khan to the Pakistan Railways Workshop Division in Lahore.
It comes amid Islamabad’s efforts to rebuild relations with Bangladesh since the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, with both countries looking to strengthen institutional linkages to broaden their cooperation.
The visiting Bangladeshi officials were welcomed at the Pakistan Railways headquarters and briefed on the overall functioning, technical capabilities and projects, according to the Pakistani railways ministry.
“The delegation was subsequently given a detailed tour of the Mughalpura Locomotive Workshop, where they were briefed on various stages of locomotive maintenance, rehabilitation, and manufacturing processes,” the ministry said.
“The distinguished guests termed their visit as highly informative, productive, and encouraging, and appreciated the technical expertise and professional competence of Pakistan Railways.”
Pakistan and Bangladesh were part of the same country until Bangladesh’s secession following a bloody civil war in 1971, an event that long cast a shadow over bilateral ties.
Both countries have moved closer since August 2024, following the ouster of Hasina who was considered an India ally. While Pakistan-Bangladesh ties warm up, relations between Dhaka and New Delhi remain strained over India’s decision to grant asylum to Hasina.
A short documentary highlighting the working and operational strength of Pakistan Railways workshops was also presented to the Bangladeshi officials during their visit.
“Federal Minister for Railways, Mr. Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, remains fully committed to further strengthening bilateral relations with brotherly country Bangladesh, particularly in the areas of railway development, exchange of expertise, rolling stock, and cooperation in manufacturing sectors,” the railways ministry said.
“Minister has expressed his resolve to take forward railway-to-railway cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing that mutual collaboration in the railway sector can yield substantial benefits for both nations.”
