Pakistan health chief calls for caution as coronavirus surges again

Health workers stand in a queue as they wait to receive a Chinese-made Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine, at a vaccination centre in Karachi on March 2, 2021. (AFP)
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Updated 05 March 2021
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Pakistan health chief calls for caution as coronavirus surges again

  • National Command and Operation Center on Feb. 24 relaxed most of coronavirus-related restrictions
  • On Friday, Pakistan recorded the highest daily number of new COVID-19 cases in in over a month

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's de facto health minister, Dr. Faisal Sultan on Friday called for caution as the country's coronavirus positivity and hospitalization rates had increased over the past week.

Pakistan recorded 1,579 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the highest daily number of new COVID-19 cases in in over a month,  health ministry data showed on Friday. The total number of infections rose to 587,014, with 13,128 deaths.

"COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in Pakistan are increasing once again," Dr. Sultan said in a tweet, adding that the positivity rate had risen from 3.31 percent to 4.16 percent within just one week.

 

 

"Save lives by following SOPs. Please avoid crowded places (esp indoor & if poorly ventilated), wear a mask and wash your hands frequently," he said in another tweet, urging healthcare workers and all Pakistanis above the age of 60 to register for coronavirus vaccination.

The increase in COVID-19 cases comes after the National Command and Operation Center, which oversees Pakistan’s coronavirus response, on Feb. 24 eased most of the restrictions, allowing commercial activities to resume with no time limits and offices and other workplaces to function at full strength, without the 50 percent work-from-home condition.

Regular five-day classes restarted at schools from March 1.

The NCOC also allowed Pakistan Super League pool matches with 50 percent spectators. On Thursday, however, the tournament was postponed after a number of players tested positive for the coronavirus.


JazzCash signs deal with Binance in UAE to explore regulated crypto adoption in Pakistan

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JazzCash signs deal with Binance in UAE to explore regulated crypto adoption in Pakistan

  • MoU focuses on awareness and development of compliant virtual-asset solutions in Pakistan
  • Pakistan introducing licensing regime for crypto firms as it formalizes digital-asset oversight

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani financial-technology platform JazzCash has signed a memorandum of understanding with global cryptocurrency exchange Binance in the United Arab Emirates to explore cooperation on virtual-asset use and education in Pakistan, the company said on Wednesday.

The agreement sets a framework for discussions on awareness campaigns and future digital-asset products that would comply with Pakistan’s emerging crypto regulations. The move signals growing engagement between global blockchain companies and Pakistani fintechs as authorities shift toward formal licensing of the sector.

Pakistan has spent the past year drafting rules to regulate the fast-expanding market for digital coins and tokens, requiring virtual-asset service providers to obtain government approval. Officials say the transition is aimed at curbing money-laundering and terror financing risks, boosting transparency and encouraging responsible innovation.

“JazzCash has always championed technologies that expand financial access while promoting secure and inclusive participation in the digital economy," JazzCash Chief Executive Officer Murtaza Ali said. 

“By entering into this exploratory MoU with Binance, we are advancing our efforts to understand how global digital-asset trends can support Pakistan’s evolving regulatory landscape. We aim to engage responsibly, support regulatory progress, and advance opportunities that build trust, transparency and innovation for our customers.”

The MoU does not establish a commercial partnership, but marks one of the most high-profile engagements between Pakistan’s fintech sector and a global crypto exchange as the country moves toward regulated digital-asset adoption.

Binance welcomed the cooperation, framing it as part of Pakistan’s shift toward regulated digital-asset activity.

"With regulatory frameworks like [Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority] PVARA paving the way, this collaboration represents a significant step toward expanding financial inclusion and empowering more people to access the benefits of blockchain technology in a secure and compliant environment," Binance Chief Marketing Officer Rachel Conlan said.

Earlier this month, Binance executives met Pakistani finance officials to discuss digital-payments reform, blockchain-skills training and the potential for Web3-linked jobs. Pakistan also set up the Pakistan Crypto Council and formed PVARA this year to license and supervise crypto-asset service providers.