ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s planning minister Asad Umar warned on Wednesday the government would impose stricter restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus, including completely shutting down major cities, after an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country’s major centers.
According to the NCOC, the federal body responsible for combatting the coronavirus, 47,301 tests were conducted in Pakistan during the last 24 hours, with 5,499 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and 148 deaths. A day earlier, 137 people had died.
Addressing a news conference after chairing an NCOC meeting, Umar said it was time to act since hospitals were running out of space and more and more people needed supplemental oxygen.
“Let me make it clear,” the minister said, “the level at which the virus is spreading and our hospitals are filling up ... if we don’t act now, we will have no choice but to close down major cities.”
He said over 600 people were now going to the hospital daily with coronavirus-related complications, describing the ongoing week as “dangerous,” with the number of deaths recorded in recent days the highest since the beginning of the pandemic last February.
“We have reviewed the situation at the NCOC and found it to be bad,” he said. “We have taken decisions regarding the imposition of more restrictions which will be announced on Friday.”
Umar urged the people to follow officially prescribed measures to prevent the spread of the disease while urging the chief ministers of the four provinces to help.
“You are elected leaders,” he said. “People have voted for you and will listen to you.”
The minister also revealed that the coronavirus positivity rate was alarmingly high in places like Nowshera (38 percent), Mardan (33 percent), Rawalpindi (28 percent) and Lahore (27 percent).
He added that about 80 percent of ventilators were occupied in some cities, warning that the country was already consuming about 90 percent of the oxygen produced for medical purposes.
Pakistan says may lock down major cities after deadly COVID-19 surge
https://arab.news/r4qn6
Pakistan says may lock down major cities after deadly COVID-19 surge
- Planning minister reveals the coronavirus positivity rate has reached 38 percent in places like Nowshera
- Pakistan has reported 5,499 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 148 related deaths in the last 24 hours
Pakistan assembly speaker warns opposition against anti-state remarks in parliament
- Ayaz Sadiq says criticism of judiciary and armed forces will not be allowed on assembly floor
- He calls violence during protests unacceptable, vows neutrality as National Assembly speaker
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said on Saturday that opposition lawmakers would not be allowed to speak against Pakistan, the judiciary or the armed forces on the floor of parliament, calling such remarks unacceptable.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to the eastern city of Lahore, Sadiq said parliamentary debate must remain within constitutional and legal limits, while reiterating his commitment to act impartially as speaker.
“No one will be allowed to speak against Pakistan, the judiciary or the armed forces on the floor of the National Assembly,” Sadiq said. “Negative or controversial remarks about judges or the armed forces are unacceptable.”
His comments come amid heightened political tensions after opposition groups held protests in the past, criticizing state institutions and targeting government and military properties.
The speaker said peaceful protest was a democratic right but drew a sharp line at violence and vandalism.
“Protest is the right of every citizen in a democratic society, but it must remain peaceful and within the bounds of the constitution and the law,” he continued, adding that arson, damage to property and the use of sticks or weapons in the name of protest were “unacceptable” and posed a threat to the rule of law.
“No opposition lawmaker will be allowed to speak on the National Assembly floor if they speak against Pakistan,” Sadiq said.
The speaker also noted the country’s economic indicators were gradually improving, citing an increase in foreign exchange reserves, and said Pakistan had further strengthened relations with countries including the United States, China, Russia, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.
