ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi on Saturday commended the government’s “smart lockdown strategy” for an “outstanding recovery” of COVID-19 patients across the country, before urging the public to continue observing anti-virus measures during the upcoming Eid Al-Adha festivities.

“A huge difference in approaches has led to an outstanding recovery in Pakistan because of Smart Lockdowns,” he tweeted on Saturday, adding that the credit goes to “pro-poor & intelligent government decisions” and the people of Pakistan.

As of Sunday, nearly 86.9 percent of the national caseload or 237,434 patients had recovered from the deadly disease, according to the health ministry’s COVID-19 portal, with President Alvi saying that the downward trend needed to continue on Eid Al-Adha as well.

“Ensure social distancing, wear face masks, and wash your hands. You have shown what a disciplined nation can do,” he added.

Pakistan has recorded 35 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total fatality count to 5,822, while 1,226 new infections were reported from across the country, taking the tally to 273,112.