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Coronavirus positivity rate rises, Pakistani officials urge caution as Eid Al-Adha nears

A man wearing a face mask as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus enters a disinfection tunnel at the Raja Bazar in Rawalpindi on July 22, 2020. (AFP/File)
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Updated 04 July 2022
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Coronavirus positivity rate rises, Pakistani officials urge caution as Eid Al-Adha nears

  • Health minister says government “concerned” over increase in hospitalisation, positivity ratio
  • Says government mulling rolling out mass testing, particularly in major cities such as Karachi
Updated 04 July 2022
Aamir Saeed

ISLAMABAD: Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel on Monday expressed “concern” as Pakistan recorded 675 new coronavirus cases while the positivity ratio crossed 4.5 percent, data from the National Institute of Health (NIH) showed, urging caution ahead of the Eid Al-Adha holiday at the end of the week.

Pakistan has had very few COVID-19 cases over recent months and did away with almost all precautions.

But over the past 24 hours, the national COVID positivity ratio had risen to 4.61% with 675 positive cases, nearly double the number at the start of last Monday, according to NIH data. Over 163 people were reported to be in critical care.

 

 

“The government is concerned over increase in hospitalisation and positivity rate over the last few days,” the minister told reporters. “Our average deaths are between 1.5 percent and the average number of patients on ventilators is five.”

Health ministry data shows the daily positivity rate registered a sharp decline from the peak 13 percent on January 22 to 0.37 percent on April 12 but started picking up again in June.

The minister said the government feared the rate could spike further with two religious festivals, Eid al-Adha and Muharram, coming up.

However, he said hospitals had enough ventilators, and ruled out smart or localized lockdowns.

“I guess this is not the appropriate time for smart lockdown,” he said, adding that 86 percent of the eligible population above 12 years of age was partially vaccinated while the government was administering at least one million booster doses on average a day.

Since the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in February 2021, Pakistan has fully vaccinated over 127 million individuals aged 12 years and above and administered 272 million doses in total so far.  More than 25.77 million people have also received a booster dose.

Talking about Karachi where the daily positivity was recorded at 20.61 percent in the last 24 hours, Patel said the provincial government had been directed to increase the number of tests to ascertain the actual spread of the virus.

“Karachi is a congested city, they need to increase testing,” the minister said, adding that instructions were issued to all provincial governments to be ready for all kinds of emergencies, including setting up of isolation centres.

Pakistan disbanded the National Command and Operations Center, its main pandemic response body, on March 31 as infections fell to the lowest level since the outbreak began in 2020.

However, the South Asian country on May 23 reconstituted the NCOC at the NIH after health officials detected a new omicron sub-variant in a passenger arriving from Qatar.

Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) last week once again made it mandatory for all passengers on domestic flights to wear masks. Authorities are also urging eligible individuals to get booster vaccine shots.

Patel on Friday called masks "essential" during the upcoming Eid holiday, appealed to religious scholars to ensure social distancing at mosques and urged the public to avoid hugging and shaking hands during Eid.

Last Thursday, Pakistan issued fresh standard operating procedures (SOPs) for government office.

The NIH in a notification urged government staffers to avoid shaking hands and mandated wearing face masks and incorporating social distancing in seating plans and during prayers.

Last Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting to take stock of the coronavirus situation, urging masses to take precautions against the infection.

“The NCOC is closely monitoring the situation and we are prepared for any scenario,” Patel said on Monday, adding that the government was mulling rolling out mass testing, particularly in major cities such as Karachi.

Public health experts have also expressed concerns over the rise in the number of daily COVID-19 infections and suggested people get booster doses.

“The daily positivity trend clearly shows this [infections] will spike again in coming weeks,” Dr Javed Akram, a member of the government’s scientific task force on COVID-19, told Arab News. “The government should strictly enforce health guidelines in all public places to check the spread of the virus.”

“Everybody should get a COVID-19 booster dose after six months of being fully vaccinated to augment the immunity,” he said. “All vaccines are safe and effective, get any one of your choice to stay safe.”

President Dr. Arif Alvi also took to Twitter on Monday and stressed the implementation of COVID prevention rules during Eid.

 

 

Topics: CORONAVIRUS PAKISTAN

Rohit says India-Pakistan Test cricket would be ‘awesome’

Updated 13 sec ago
AFP
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Rohit says India-Pakistan Test cricket would be ‘awesome’

  • South Asian neighbors are bitter political adversaries, have not faced off in Test since 2007
  • They play only occasionally in shorter versions of game usually on neutral territory 
Updated 13 sec ago
AFP

NEW DELHI: India captain Rohit Sharma has thrown his support behind any resumption of Test cricket against arch-rivals Pakistan, saying it would be “awesome.”
The South Asian neighbors are bitter political adversaries and have fought three wars against each other since they were partitioned at the end of British colonial rule in 1947.
Their cricket teams have not faced off in a Test since 2007. Instead they play only occasionally in the shorter versions of the game and usually on neutral territory in international tournaments.
Rohit appeared Thursday on a YouTube chat show hosted by former captains Adam Gilchrist of Australia and Michael Vaughan of England.
Asked by Vaughan if playing Pakistan in a Test series would be beneficial for the five-day game, Rohit said: “I totally believe that.”
“They are a good team, superb bowling line-up, good contest. Especially if you play in overseas conditions, that will be awesome,” added the 36-year-old.
“I would love to. It would be a great contest between two sides... so why not?“
Australia has said it would be prepared to host a series between the rivals.
India and Pakistan have not faced each other on either side’s soil in a bilateral series since 2012.
India last year refused to travel to Pakistan for the white-ball Asia Cup, prompting part of the tournament to be staged in Sri Lanka.
They last met at the 50-over World Cup in India in October.

Topics: India Pakistan cricket

Pakistan aims to agree outline of new IMF loan in May — finance minister

Updated 7 min 34 sec ago
Reuters
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Pakistan aims to agree outline of new IMF loan in May — finance minister

  • Current $3 billion arrangement with IMF runs out in late April 
  • Pakistan is seeking longer and bigger loan of at least $6 billion
Updated 7 min 34 sec ago
Reuters

WASHINGTON: Pakistan hopes to agree the contours of a new International Monetary Fund loan in May, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told Reuters, and has kicked off talks with ratings agencies to lay the groundwork for a return to international debt markets.
The country’s current $3 billion arrangement with the fund runs out in late April and the government is seeking a longer and bigger loan to help bring permanence to macroeconomic stability as well as an umbrella under which the country can execute much needed structural reforms, the minister said.
“We expect the IMF mission to be in Islamabad around the middle of May — and that is when some of these contours will start developing,” said Aurangzeb, who met with the Fund’s Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Wednesday during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings.
He declined to outline what size program the government hoped to secure, though Pakistan is expected to seek at least $6 billion. Aurangzeb added that once the IMF loan was agreed, Pakistan would also request additional financing from the Fund under the Resilience and Sustainability Trust.
The struggling South Asian nation had managed to accumulate foreign exchange reserves in recent months and was on track for its war chest to hit $10 billion — or roughly two months import cover — by end-June.
The debt situation also looked more benign, Aurangzeb said.
“The bulk of our bilateral debt — including our China debt — is being rolled over, so in that sense I think we are in good shape and I don’t see a big issue during this fiscal year nor next fiscal year, cause we need to repay roughly $25 billion dollars every fiscal year.”
Pakistan also hopes to come back to international capital markets, possibly with a green bond. However, there was some more work to be done before that happens, said Aurangzeb.
“We have to come back into a certain ratings environment,” he said, having kicked off talks with ratings agencies, adding the government was hoping to get an improvement in its sovereign rating in the next fiscal year.
“In all likelihood, any international capital markets issuance will likely be in the 2025/2026 fiscal year.”

Topics: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb

Five Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing in Karachi 

Updated 49 min 29 sec ago
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Five Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing in Karachi 

  • Van attacked while heading to industrial area where five Japanese nationals worked at Pakistan Suzuki Motors
  • Insurgents have recently targeted Chinese working on projects relating to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
Updated 49 min 29 sec ago
KHURSHID AHMED   

KARACHI: Five Japanese workers narrowly escaped on Friday after a suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden vest near the van carrying them to their workplace, police said.
The Hiace van was on its way to an industrial area where the five Japanese nationals worked at Pakistan Suzuki Motors, according to local police chief Arshad Awan.
Police escorting the vehicle returned fire after coming under attack, killing an accomplice of the suicide bomber whose remains were found from the scene of the attack, he added. Three bystanders were wounded. 
“All the Japanese who were the target of the attack are safe,” Awan told media. 
Television footage on local news channels widely showed a damaged van, as police officers arrived at the scene of the attack. Awan said the three passersby who were wounded in the attack were in stable condition at a hospital.
Police were escorting the van after receiving reports about possible attacks on foreigners who are working in Pakistan on various Chinese-funded and other projects, said Tariq Mastoi, a senior police officer. He said a timely and quick response from the guards and police foiled the attack and both attackers were killed.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident, according to a statement posted on X.
“Timely action by the police saved us from any major loss of life,” he said. “We will not rest until terrorism has been completely eradicated. We will thwart every nefarious act of disturbing the law and order situation.”
Murad Ali Shah, the chief minister of Sindh, of which Karachi is the provincial capital, directed the inspector general to submit a report after investigating the attack, including details on who the attackers were, where they came from, any information on their facilitators and details of explosives used in the blast.
He directed that immediate arrangements be made for the security of all foreigners in the province. 
“Anti-national elements want to disrupt law and order, which will not be allowed at any cost,” the CM said, praising what he called timely action of the police in thwarting the attack.
No one immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion is likely to fall on a small separatist group or the Pakistani Taliban who have stepped up attacks on security forces.
In recent weeks, insurgents have also targeted Chinese who are working in Pakistan on projects relating to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which includes a multitude of megaprojects such as road construction, power plants and agriculture.
In March, five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver were killed when a suicide bomber in northwest Pakistan rammed his explosive-laden car into a vehicle when they were heading to the Dasu Dam, the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan, where they worked.
However, Japanese working in Pakistan have not been the target of any such attacks.
With inputs from AP

Topics: Karachi blast Suicide Attack

Saudi deputy defense minister discusses security cooperation proposals with Pakistan army chief

Updated 19 April 2024
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Saudi deputy defense minister discusses security cooperation proposals with Pakistan army chief

  • Al-Otaibi arrived in Pakistan earlier this week to finalize defense-related bilateral projects
  • Saudi official participates in the Fifth Meeting of Pakistan-KSA Defense Collaboration
Updated 19 April 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Assistant Defense Minister Talal Bin Abdullah Bin Turki Al-Otaibi called on Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir on Friday and discussed defense collaboration projects, the Pakistani military said on Friday. 
Al-Otaibi arrived in Pakistan earlier this week to finalize defense-related bilateral projects, according to the Pakistani defense ministry. His visit follows on the heels of a two-day visit to Islamabad by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, aimed at enhancing bilateral economic cooperation and pushing forward previously agreed investment deals. Pakistan has said it pitched investment projects worth$30 billion to Riyadh during Prince Faisal’s visit.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest and measures to further enhance bilateral defense collaboration including defense production and military training were discussed,” the Pakistan army statement said. 
“COAS affirmed Pakistan Army’s continuing support toward capacity building of Royal Saudi Land Forces.
“Both sides reiterated their resolve to solidify the efforts in defense collaboration with focused approach to target specific capabilities in land, air and sea domains. In this context, concrete proposals were deliberated by the forum to meet tangible objectives within specific timelines.”

In this handout photo, taken and released by Pakistan’s Inter-Service Public Relations on April 19, 2024, Saudi Assistant Defense Minister Talal Bin Abdullah Bin Turki Al-Otaibi attends Pakistan-KSA Defense Collaboration meeting, co-chaired by Chief of General Staff Pakistan Army, during his visit to the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. (Photo courtesy: ISPR)

Al-Otaibi also participated in the Fifth Meeting of Pakistan-KSA Defense Collaboration at the Pakistan army’s headquarters in Rawalpindi. 
The forum discussed challenges to global and regional security and noted that rapid advancements in modern technologies “necessitated defense industrial cooperation in critical capabilities between the two brotherly countries.”
“The visiting dignitary acknowledged Pakistan Army’s achievements and sacrifices in war against terrorism and Army’s valuable contributions toward regional peace and stability,” the army’s statement said. 
Pakistan maintains close military ties with Saudi Arabia, providing extensive support, arms, and training to the Saudi armed forces. 
Since the 1970s, Pakistani soldiers have been stationed in Saudi Arabia to protect the Kingdom and Pakistan has also been providing training to Saudi soldiers and pilots. The two nations also regularly carry out multidimensional joint ventures and defense exercises.

Topics: Pakistan Army ISPR Pakistan Saudi Ties

Five Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing that targeted their vehicle in Pakistan

Updated 19 April 2024
AP
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Five Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing that targeted their vehicle in Pakistan

  • Van had been heading to an industrial area where the five Japanese nationals worked at Pakistan Suzuki Motors
  • Insurgents have also targeted Chinese working on Pakistan on projects relating to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
Updated 19 April 2024
AP

KARACHI: A suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden vest near a van carrying Japanese autoworkers, who narrowly escaped the attack Friday that wounded three bystanders in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi, police said.
The van had been heading to an industrial area where the five Japanese nationals worked at Pakistan Suzuki Motors, local police chief Arshad Awan said. He said police escorting the Japanese returned fire after coming under attack, killing an accomplice of the suicide bomber whose remains were found from the scene of the attack.
“All the Japanese who were the target of the attack are safe,” he said.
Images on local news channels showed a damaged van, as police officers arrived at the scene of the attack. Awan said the three passersby who were wounded in the attack were in stable condition at a hospital.
Police were escorting the van after receiving reports about possible attacks on foreigners who are working in Pakistan on various Chinese-funded and other projects, said Tariq Mastoi, a senior police officer. He said a timely and quick response from the guards and police foiled the attack and both attackers were killed.
No one immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion is likely to fall on a small separatist group or Pakistani Taliban who have stepped up attacks on security forces in recent years. Insurgents have also targeted Chinese who are working on Pakistan on projects relating to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which includes a multitude of megaprojects such as road construction, power plants and agriculture.
In March, five Chinese and their Pakistani driver were killed when a suicide bomber in northwest Pakistan rammed his explosive-laden car into a vehicle when they were heading to the Dasu Dam, the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan, where they worked.
However, Japanese working in Pakistan have not been target of any such attacks.
Karachi is the largest city of Pakistan and the capital of southern Sindh province.

Topics: Suicide Attack Karachi

Latest updates

Rohit says India-Pakistan Test cricket would be ‘awesome’
Pakistan aims to agree outline of new IMF loan in May — finance minister
Five Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing in Karachi 
Saudi deputy defense minister discusses security cooperation proposals with Pakistan army chief
Five Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing that targeted their vehicle in Pakistan

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