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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

Pakistan anticipates more high-level Saudi business delegations amid stronger bilateral ties

Updated 3 min 26 sec ago
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Pakistan anticipates more high-level Saudi business delegations amid stronger bilateral ties

  • Foreign office says the two countries are involved in robust dialogue that has gained significant momentum
  • It categorically denies reports that Pakistan is providing military bases to any foreign country against anyone
Updated 3 min 26 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan anticipates continued visits by high-level business delegations from Saudi Arabia in the upcoming weeks to further explore investment opportunities facilitated under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the foreign office announced on Thursday.
The statement came just days after Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif concluded his visit to Riyadh, where he addressed the two-day World Economic Forum conference that began on April 28.
During his visit, Sharif met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and several Saudi ministers to strengthen bilateral relations and economic partnerships between the two nations.
Prior to his visit to the kingdom, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan was in Islamabad with a large delegation, saying the Pakistani administration’s resolve to strengthen the economy would yield “significant benefits.”
“Saudi investors have been coming to Pakistan in recent months, and engaged with the SIFC in terms of exploring opportunities for Saudi investments in Pakistan, and this is an ongoing process, and we expect similar high-level business delegations to undertake visits to Pakistan in the coming days and weeks as well,” foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told reporters in her weekly media briefing.
She added that both countries were involved in robust and mutually beneficial dialogue that had gained significant momentum in recent months.
“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are engaged in consultations with each other in terms of increased Saudi investments in Pakistan, including in the energy domain,” she added.
Asked about reports of Pakistan providing military bases to the United States, Baloch called them baseless rumors.
“Pakistani has no plan to provide any bases to a foreign country against any other country,” she continued.
Speaking about the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s summit in Gambia, the spokesperson said the country’s deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar would highlight the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the imperatives of solidarity and unity of the Muslim Ummah, rising Islamophobia, issues of climate change, terrorism, and other contemporary global challenges.
She said Pakistan strongly condemned the escalating violations of human rights by Israel and increasing number of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
“Israel’s actions constitute a breach of international law, including humanitarian laws and other pertinent international laws, and these acts also undermine any prospects of a two-state solution,” she added.

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Ties

Pakistan vows ‘foolproof security’ for Chinese nationals after militant attacks

Updated 13 min 19 sec ago
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Pakistan vows ‘foolproof security’ for Chinese nationals after militant attacks

  • Interior minister says government implementing strict security protocols for safe movement of Chinese workers
  • A suicide bomber targeted a convoy of Chinese nationals near Dasu earlier this year, killing five of them
Updated 13 min 19 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Thursday the government would ensure “foolproof security” for Chinese nationals following militant attacks targeting them in the country where most of them have been working on infrastructure development projects.
Naqvi made this assurance during his visit to the Chinese consulate in Karachi, where he discussed the issue in his conversation with a top diplomat Yang Yuandong, who welcomed the minister to the facility.
Five Chinese nationals were killed earlier this year in March after a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into their convoy which was on its way from Islamabad to the site of a key hydroelectric dam in Dasu.
Prior to that, Chinese workers also came under attack by Baloch separatists near the Gwadar port. The incident led to the death of eight militants.
“It is our duty to ensure foolproof security for Chinese citizens,” Naqvi said during the during his visit to the consulate. “Strict implementation of standard operating procedures for safe movement of Chinese citizens is being ensured.”
Pakistan took action against a number of senior officials after the Dasu attack, saying they showed negligence and had failed to follow the security protocol.
He said the “enemy” wanted to undermine the China-Pakistan friendship but would not succeed.
According to a statement circulated by the ministry, the Chinese diplomat expressed satisfaction with the overall security plan for the protection of the Chinese workers.

Topics: Pakistan china China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Chinese nationals in Pakistan

Pakistan’s cricket body names 18-player squad for T20I series against England, Ireland

Updated 02 May 2024
Shahjahan Khurram  
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Pakistan’s cricket body names 18-player squad for T20I series against England, Ireland

  • A 15-player squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be announced before the May 24 deadline
  • Fast bowler Haris Rauf along with all-rounders Hasan Ali and Salman Ali Agha have been recalled
Updated 02 May 2024
Shahjahan Khurram  

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday announced the 18-player squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England & Wales beginning on May 10 and continuing till the end of the month.
According to a PCB statement, the squad will be reduced to 15 players for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 after the first T20I at Leeds on 22 May to meet the ICC’s 24 May deadline.
The men’s national selection committee has recalled fast bowler Haris Rauf, along with all-rounders Hasan Ali and Salman Ali Agha, in the 18-player squad.
The two cricketers who did not make the cut from the original 17-player squad that faced New Zealand are wrist spinner Usama Mir and fast bowler Zaman Khan.
“Crafting this squad was a challenging task due to the outstanding talent available,” the PCB selection committee was quoted in the statement. “After thorough deliberation and considering various cricketing aspects, we have finalized 18 players.”
“The squad encompasses a robust top-order featuring Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan; an effective middle-order with Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed and Muhammad Irfan Khan; versatile all-rounders in Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha; a pace battery led by Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi; and the spin prowess of Abrar Ahmed,” it continued.
“We understand Usama and Zaman will be disappointed and they should be as they must be looking ahead to the tours of Ireland and England,” the statement added. “They are quality cricketers and have long careers ahead of them. They need to continue to focus on their cricket so that they are available, if required.”
Haris Rauf and wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan were sidelined for the New Zealand T20Is due to injuries, while middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan Khan and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan were rested from the two T20Is in Lahore due to niggles.
The four cricketers underwent fitness assessments at the National Cricket Academy on Tuesday afternoon, showing significant improvement.
The team is scheduled to depart for Dublin on May 7 following a three-day training camp in Lahore.

Topics: t20 world cup 2024 Pakistan cricket Pakistan Cricket Board

Pakistan PM mourns death of UAE royal, lauds role in strengthening bilateral ties

Updated 02 May 2024
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Pakistan PM mourns death of UAE royal, lauds role in strengthening bilateral ties

  • Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed worked closely with the UAE founding father, helped implement the federal project
  • The UAE president has announced a seven-day mourning period after the death of Sheikh Tahnoun on May 1
Updated 02 May 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed grief over the death of the United Arab Emirates royal, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, while admiring his contributions to building stronger relations between the two countries.
Sheikh Tahnoun was Abu Dhabi’s representative in the Al Ain region of the Gulf state.
His demise at the age of 82 prompted UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to announced a seven-day mourning period in which the country’s flag would be flown at half-mast.
“Deeply saddened at the demise of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohamed Al Nahyan,” the Pakistan prime minister said in a social media post. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the leadership and people of the UAE at this hour of grief.”
“He will be long remembered for his contribution to building stronger ties between Pakistan and the U.A.E.,” the post added. “May Allah Almighty grant him eternal peace.”

Sheikh Tahnoun worked closely with the UAE founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and was part of the team that implemented the federal project that led to the declaration of the Union in 1971.
He also served his country in several key capacities in subsequent years and worked to provide better governance to its people.

 

Pakistani think tank reports significant surge in militant attacks with 70 killed in April

Updated 02 May 2024
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Pakistani think tank reports significant surge in militant attacks with 70 killed in April

  • Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies says Khyber Pakhtunkhwa suffered maximum militant violence
  • Pakistan has endured 323 militant attacks during the first four months of the year, resulting in 324 fatalities
Updated 02 May 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani think tank circulated a report on a significant increase in the number of militant attacks in the country on Wednesday, saying 70 people lost their lives in at least 77 verifiable episodes of extremist violence in the month of April.
Pakistan has witnessed a prolonged surge in militant attacks since the breakdown of a fragile ceasefire between the government and a proscribed armed network, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in November 2022.
Apart from TTP fighters, other extremist and separatist groups have also targeted Pakistani security forces and civilians in recent months.
According to Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), there was a brief lull in March before militant groups resumed their activities last month, with the northwester Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, particularly its southern districts, bearing the brunt.
“According to PICSS statistics, the country experienced at least 77 verifiable militant attacks during April, resulting in 70 fatalities, including 35 civilians and 31 security forces personnel, with four militants killed, and 67 individuals injured, among whom were 32 civilians and 35 security forces personnel,” the security report said.
“In comparison, March 2024 saw 56 militant attacks, resulting in 77 fatalities and 67 injuries,” it continued. “This indicates a 38 percent increase in the number of militant attacks, although there was a 9 percent decline in deaths, with no change in the number of injuries.”
The Islamabad-based think tank informed Balochistan witnessed 16 attacks, resulting in 21 fatalities, including 17 civilians and four security forces personnel, with 31 individuals injured.
Punjab also experienced a surge in militant activities, with four attacks reported in April compared to one in March, resulting in three fatalities.
“In the first four months of the year, Pakistan experienced a total of 323 militant attacks, resulting in 324 fatalities and 387 injuries,” the report added.

Topics: Pakistan militant Militant attacks

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