Coronavirus in Pakistan

[Bewal Express]

Govt responds to CJP’s suo motu notice on corona crisis

ISLAMABAD: A day after Chief Justice Justice Gulzar Ahmed took his first suo motu notice on the coronavirus situation in the country, the federal government submitted a response to Supreme Court (SC) explaining the measures taken by the state to stem the spread of infection so far.

The top court judge had sent notices to the attorney general, the health secretary and the interior secretary over the inadequate facilities at the government's disposal to combat coronavirus on Friday.

In response to his reservations, the government assured the top court that authorities are taking all possible measures to curtail the rapid spread of the virus in the country.

As a preventive measure, 83 thermal scanners have so far been installed at various locations. Moreover, special counters have been set up to facilitate travelers and suspected coronavirus patients at all international airports, the top court was informed.

In line with other initiatives taken by the state to tackle the crisis, surveillance on the crossing of Taftan, Chaman and Torkham border has been tightened and quarantine centres for suspected patients have been established in 154 districts across the country.

A hearing in the matter by a five-member larger bench will resume on April 13.

On April 1, the same five-member bench, comprising the chief justice, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Amin Ahmed, had also heard the matter of the release of under-trial prisoners amid the virus' outbreak. A petition had been filed against the prisoners' release ordered by the Sindh and Islamabad high courts.

“Under what law can suspects and accused be released?” the CJP had asked while hearing arguments. He noted that it was already very difficult to arrest the accused in cases.

“The police are already busy with the coronavirus emergency. How can we let criminals be out on the roads as well?” he had asked.

He said robberies have already started taking place in Karachi soon after the release of prisoners. The due process of law will have to followed before such a thing can be allowed, the chief justice had ruled.

The Supreme Court then ordered over 500 prisoners — temporarily released to slow the spread of coronavirus — to be re-arrested, as it overturned the high courts’ judgments.

An exception was however made in the case of prisoners accused of minor crimes.

Pakistan has reported 4,700 cases of the coronavirus and 68 deaths. Of the total infected, Punjab has the highest count — 2,280, whereas Sindh comes in second with 1,214.

A countrywide lockdown is being observed until April 14 to curb the spread of the virus. Owing to pressure from the business community, who are facing great losses, as well as concerns surrounding the livelihood of daily wage workers, the provinces are mulling over whether or not to extend the lockdown period.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/282289-govt-reverts-back-to-cjps-sou-motu-notice-on-corona-crisis

Great to see the Suo Motto notice, but when will the SC intervene on the Model Town Massacre. Its been 6 years and no justice for the families of the murdered.

 

[MenInG]

Karachi heading towards curfew.

Several areas have been sealed already by the troops of Pakistan Army, Sindh Rangers and Sindh Police.

Sindh Govt has decided not to follow the plan of other provinces.

 

[MenInG]

Decision on whether Haj will take place expected by mid-Ramazan: minister

Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri says the Saudi authorities are expected to announce a decision about whether Haj will take place this year or not by the 15th of Ramazan.

He told reporters that the Saudi government is considering various options about restricting the Haj this year in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Saudi authorities have advised against finalising monetary agreements with aspiring pilgrims for now, Qadri added.

 

[Arsal_AK]

Sindh was at 20% positive today. Not a good sign.

That number needs to go down as the testing ramps up. That's is when you know you have gotten a hold of the pandemic. It's not the case as of now. Let's see what the next week hold. We should start to see the effects of lockdown now and also the summer theory is about to be put to rest too.

 

[Itachi]

Sindh was at 20% positive today. Not a good sign.

That number needs to go down as the testing ramps up. That's is when you know you have gotten a hold of the pandemic. It's not the case as of now. Let's see what the next week hold. We should start to see the effects of lockdown now and also the summer theory is about to be put to rest too.

1 out of 5 people were positive for all the tests? That's a very worrying sign. When was Sindh gone for lockdown (the date)?

 

[Navdeep Srivastava]

1 out of 5 people were positive for all the tests? That's a very worrying sign. When was Sindh gone for lockdown (the date)?

I think most of them are Iran jareens if I am not wrong

 

[Arsal_AK]

1 out of 5 people were positive for all the tests? That's a very worrying sign. When was Sindh gone for lockdown (the date)?

Into third week. Yeah not a good sign but with such low amount of tests, you can't really say. Could be an outlier with them testing suspects cases in a certain area.

That is why we need to step up on testing massively.

 

[Syed1]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">For public convenience we have developed a map of sealed areas of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NA243?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NA243</a> as per the notification issued by district admin in wake of rising cases of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/covid19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#covid19</a>.<a href="https://t.co/rLgTNydb8P">https://t.co/rLgTNydb8P</a><br><br>Requesting <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sindh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sindh</a> Govt to use technology rather using two decades old UCs data. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/karachi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#karachi</a></p>— Arsalan Taj (@ArsalanGhumman) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArsalanGhumman/status/1248974575582564352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Itachi]

Into third week. Yeah not a good sign but with such low amount of tests, you can't really say. Could be an outlier with them testing suspects cases in a certain area.

That is why we need to step up on testing massively.

if it is third week, then the number should go down from here.

the testing should be stepped up (including india, bangladesh and other south east asian countries where population density is very high), but it seems like we are not only fighting against the viruses but fighting against resources too. It's a two front war and our third world countries are in significant disadvantage due to economy already taken a massive hit as lockdowns are going on for days without any alternatives.

Just hoping, By end of april, the graph should be atleast more or less horizontal if not downward.

 

[Abdullah719]

Coronavirus: Pakistani taxi drivers provide free rides to medical staff in Spain

Pakistani taxi drivers are providing free transportation services to medical staff in Spain, one of the worst hit countries by the coronavirus pandemic and social media users are cheering them on.

According to a news report by German news outlet, Deutsche Welle (DW) Urdu, Pakistani taxi drivers are providing free of charge rides to doctors and nurses working on the frontline to fight COVID-19 in the European country.

Mohammad Shahbaz Khatana, is a taxi driver in Barcelona and he was quoted as saying: “We are providing all doctors who are working to treat the patients in this pandemic free rides from home to hospital and from hospital to home.”

A clip shared on Twitter by Pakistani actress Nadia Jamil, @NJLahori, shows how the drivers get in contact with healthcare workers and take them to their destinations.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistani Taxi Drivers in Barcelona giving free taxi service to all Corners Nurses and Medical Staff. They wait outside the hospitals for them. Respect to all medic staff and all those supporting them during these difficult times. <br>May we all heal and stay safe. InshaAllah <a href="https://t.co/O3uGBCVKl3">pic.twitter.com/O3uGBCVKl3</a></p>— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) <a href="https://twitter.com/NJLahori/status/1243575140350386180?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In the video, a Pakistani cab driver is shown facilitating medical staff. The driver later introduces himself and describes his motive behind providing the services.

“My name is Syed Sheraz and I am from Pakistan. There are hundreds of Pakistani drivers, along with me, providing social services in Barcelona during this time. Whenever a calamity strikes, we are always ready to provide our services to the host country.

"In 2017, there was a terrorist incident, even at that time Pakistanis provided residents social services, by giving them free rides," he is heard saying.

The video report states that there are more than 150 cab drivers currently participating in the initiative.

In the clip, a Spanish doctor also introduces himself and expresses gratitude towards the Pakistani cab drivers providing their services at a time of crisis.

“Hopefully, we will come out of this crisis together,” he said.

Twitter account @SpaininPakistan with the bio “official account of the Embassy of Spain in Islamabad” shared another clip from the DW report and wrote: “Pakistani taxi drivers, more than150, in Barcelona and other cities, are providing free transportation to medical staff treating COVID 19 patients. Thank you for this generous and noble initiative.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistani taxi drivers , more than 150, in Barcelona and other cities, are providing free transportation to medical staff treating COVID 19 patients.THANK YOU for this generous and noble initiative &#55356;&#56810;&#55356;&#56824;&#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816; <a href="https://t.co/rdAwDdZzpw">pic.twitter.com/rdAwDdZzpw</a></p>— Spain in Pakistan (@SpaininPakistan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaininPakistan/status/1243571836283207685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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https://gulfnews.com/world/europe/c...des-to-medical-staff-in-spain-1.1586604582767

 

[Nostalgic]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistani Taxi Drivers in Barcelona giving free taxi service to all Corners Nurses and Medical Staff. They wait outside the hospitals for them. Respect to all medic staff and all those supporting them during these difficult times. <br>May we all heal and stay safe. InshaAllah <a href="https://t.co/O3uGBCVKl3">pic.twitter.com/O3uGBCVKl3</a></p>— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) <a href="https://twitter.com/NJLahori/status/1243575140350386180?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Commendable. As an aside, hearing Syed Sheraz speak, you can tell from his vocabulary and accent that he's educated. That he's reduced to driving a taxi overseas is a damning indictment of where we've ended up.

 

[Abdullah719]

 

[The Viper]

Pakistan records highest single-day death toll at 14 as Covid-19 cases surpass 5,000

PM's aide Dr Zafar Mirza warns against complacency, says easing curbs due to low cases and deaths will be a mistake.

 

[Syed1]

LOL at the CC'ed personalities


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">cc <a href="https://twitter.com/BBhuttoZardari?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBhuttoZardari</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MaryamNSharif</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMShehbaz</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZG1TlmRRSC">pic.twitter.com/ZG1TlmRRSC</a></p>— Azhar (@MashwaniAzhar) <a href="https://twitter.com/MashwaniAzhar/status/1249002694209146881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan's Covid-19 recoveries surpass 1,000

The total number of Covid-19 recoveries in Pakistan has surpassed 1,000, according to the government's official portal for tracking the spread of the disease in the country.

At least 264 people have recovered during the past 24 hours taking the total to 1,026.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan's Covid-19 fatality rate will be lower than 1pc, predicts Jhagra

KP health and finance minister Taimur Khan Jhagra has predicted that Pakistan's coronavirus fatality rate will be less than one per cent.

Taking to Twitter, the minister came to the conclusion after comparing data between Sindh and KP. He said that his conclusions were "only meant to statistically illustrate that analysing and interpreting data is key to drawing th

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">While Pakistan is fighting COVID-19, there is a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoodNews?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoodNews</a> from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DGKhan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DGKhan</a><br><br>755 Zaireen, including those 175 who tested positive earlier, have returned to their homes after full recovery.<br><br>Only 74 Zaireen left in DGK quarantine, who are being looked after in the best possible manner.</p>— Usman Buzdar (@UsmanAKBuzdar) <a href="https://twitter.com/UsmanAKBuzdar/status/1249232919618560000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[TrentDevil]

It's slowing down in Karachi and Punjab and the recovery rate is pretty good.

imo main worry is Balochistan, they have only conducted 3.5k tests and almost 700 have come out +ve, CM Jam Kamal Khan also said that they don't have many testing kits and have appealed to federal government for 50k testing kits. I think federal government needs to pay some attention towards Balochistan as things could get really ugly there. Atleast all contacts and suspects should be tested at the earliest.

 

[Ryw]

Multan: 13 doctors and 5 nurses have tested positive for coronavirus at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital

 

[King-Misbah]

Multan: 13 doctors and 5 nurses have tested positive for coronavirus at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital

Really bad news amongst some good news :/

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: As coronavirus lockdown in the Sindh province entered its 20th day on Sunday, the provincial authorities have apprehended over 3000 people over violation of lockdown amid pandemic, ARY News reported.

According to details, during the entire period of lockdown, overall 3325 people had been arrested and 1169 cases registered against them.

Police on Sunday also sealed various parts in eleven union councils in Karachi’s District East to contain further spread of the novel coronavirus.

As per details, the road leading to Pehalwan Goth from Johar Chowrangi has been sealed completely.

Deputy Commissioner East Ahmed Al on Saturday issued directives for sealing these union councils that included UC-6 Gillani Railways, UC-7 Dalmia, UC-8 Jamali Colony, UC-9 Gulshan-II, UC-10 Pehalwan Goth, UC-9 Jacob Line and UC – 10 Jamshaid Quarters.

These areas have been sealed in “larger public interest and to prevent a widespread outbreak of novel coronavirus,” according to a notification put out by the deputy commissioner.

The Rangers and Karachi police have been instructed to cordon off these localities to ensure public safety.

Speaking to ARY News, the deputy commissioner said these union councils were sealed after the confirmation of more than 150 COVID-19 cases there. He said tests of people residing in these localities will be conducted.

Curfew-like lockdown

Sindh Minister for Education Saeed Ghani on Saturday said that the province has decided to impose a curfew-like lockdown in the province amid rising coronavirus cases.

Divulging details of the decisions taken during the provincial task force meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, the education minister said the task force has recommended to impose strict restrictions during the lockdown.

“If we want to save lives, we have to move towards adopting a stricter lockdown,” he said adding that although it would not be a curfew but the restrictions in it would be just like a curfew.

https://arynews.tv/en/over-3000-arrested-sindh-violating-lockdown-coronavirus/

 

[MenInG]

322 arrested in Sindh for violating Section 144

Sindh police arrested 322 people across the province and registered 114 FIRs against them for violating Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code — a law concerning the maintenance of public order — and for hoarding masks, sanitisers, gloves and other personal protective equipment, said officials.

A spokesperson for Sindh police said that 191 people were arrested in Karachi, 25 in Hyderabad, one in Mirpurkhas, 32 in Sukkur and 73 in Larkana.

The official added that since March 23, a total of 3,325 people have been arrested in Karachi while 1,169 FIRs have been registered against Section 144 violators.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1. Interesting insight into deaths as proportion of known cases. I couldn't find data for Punjab, but compare Sindh & KP data in detail, taking out the Zaireen, death rates across the two provinces is much closer than otherwise.<br><br>Thread continues... <a href="https://t.co/JkvlMb8XX5">pic.twitter.com/JkvlMb8XX5</a></p>— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jhagra/status/1249203897589268480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2. Comparing total cases:<br><br>Snd: 28 deaths/1318 cases (2%)<br>KP: 31 deaths/697 cases (4%)<br><br>Note that neither of these are actual fatality rates, which will be significantly lower, since actual infections will be higher. <a href="https://t.co/kLUTDi4GKr">pic.twitter.com/kLUTDi4GKr</a></p>— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jhagra/status/1249205620055650304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">3. However, if you subtract the impact of cases amongst Zaireen (in the Sukkur quarantine in Sindh), the Sindh figures look as follows:<br>28 deaths / 1042 cases (2.7%).<br>Interestingly, amongst Zaireen, the death rate has been very low. <a href="https://t.co/LnLSUcjavL">pic.twitter.com/LnLSUcjavL</a></p>— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jhagra/status/1249206481049747457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">4. Post only meant to statistically illustrate that analysing & interpreting data is key to drawing the right conclusions.<br>My personal view is that with hospital systems still not yet choked, and testing bottlenecks, the actual fatality rate will be lower than 1% across Pakistan.</p>— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jhagra/status/1249207042490929153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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[BoredFromLifeXi]

What they are doing in Sukkur. Is it a city or a town? Amazing

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wishing all our Christian citizens a happy Easter. Please stay safe and keep your families safe during the COVID19 pandemic by praying and celebrating at home; & by observing the national safety protocols</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1249151265348648966?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistan Coronavirus Update: For the first time, Pakistan's number of active cases countrywide fell on Saturday, dropping by 29, mainly led by an increase in recovery numbers, to 3,926. Total cases stand at 5,038 (=active cases + 86 fatalities + 1,026 recovered patients). <a href="https://t.co/BLwO1FzWyN">pic.twitter.com/BLwO1FzWyN</a></p>— Asad Hashim (@AsadHashim) <a href="https://twitter.com/AsadHashim/status/1249218830712426496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Carrefour?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Carrefour</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dolmen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dolmen</a> Mall has been closed for not taking precautionary measures to avert the spread of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoronaVirusPakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoronaVirusPakistan</a> & for violating lockdown timings in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karachi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karachi</a><br><br>All are requested to please comply with the directions of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SindhGovt?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SindhGovt</a> for public safety.<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoronaFreePakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoronaFreePakistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/hzcePrKbh2">pic.twitter.com/hzcePrKbh2</a></p>— Deputy Commissioner South Karachi (@DCSouthKarachi) <a href="https://twitter.com/DCSouthKarachi/status/1249271357311004676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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[WhenSultansBowled]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistan Coronavirus Update: For the first time, Pakistan's number of active cases countrywide fell on Saturday, dropping by 29, mainly led by an increase in recovery numbers, to 3,926. Total cases stand at 5,038 (=active cases + 86 fatalities + 1,026 recovered patients). <a href="https://t.co/BLwO1FzWyN">pic.twitter.com/BLwO1FzWyN</a></p>— Asad Hashim (@AsadHashim) <a href="https://twitter.com/AsadHashim/status/1249218830712426496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Good news.

All Pakistan need is 2 more (at least) weeks of strict lock down.

I am pleasantly surprised at Pakistan's government's response, so far! (that'f if all these tweets are spreading the accurate info, of course).

 

[Lonewarrior]

What they are doing in Sukkur. Is it a city or a town? Amazing

Its the city. the first quarantine facility in Pakistan was built in Sukkur.

 

[Syed1]

If 5 people contracted corona in Pakistan then 1 off them has recovered and gone home now and only a very tiny percent are in critical condition. That is an encouraging statistic. Our recovery rate seems to be far higher than other countries. Not sure what is the reason is. Maybe Pakistanis pop pills like tic tacs so their bloodstreams are already full of antibodies or something lol.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I presented 10 strategic steps that resource limited countries should implement to fight COVID. This is part 1<br><br>If you live in a developing country that has a population of over 50 M, this may benefit your people<br><br>Hint: ventilators are not the answer<a href="https://t.co/jnelpD0jl1">https://t.co/jnelpD0jl1</a></p>— Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) <a href="https://twitter.com/FaheemYounus/status/1249154375831994368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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[Syed1]

 

[Syed1]

Curve continues its flattening journey

 

[Kianig89]

Have you people not watched Faisal vawda news conference how is it flattening baffling or the optimist PPers Sindh does 400-500 tests daily with such limited range how can.you determine the gravity of virus

 

[Syed1]

Have you people not watched Faisal vawda news conference how is it flattening baffling or the optimist PPers Sindh does 400-500 tests daily with such limited range how can.you determine the gravity of virus

Bhai dunya jahan mein governments aren't going door to door and testing every single citizen. All governments are testing travelers and "contacts" or people who themselves are calling in about their conditions. You cannot conduct 220 million tests.


If you have apprehensions about the test rate then ignore the total cases number and focus on the death rate. Like I've said before you can hide the number of positive cases but cannot hide the dead/dying. Our number of dead aligns with the global average mortality rate. Yes there will be a few positive cases that are undetected but their number would be in the range of 500-1000 and definitely not 15-20k like some youtube "experts" are claiming.

 

[Sirris]

If 5 people contracted corona in Pakistan then 1 off them has recovered and gone home now and only a very tiny percent are in critical condition. That is an encouraging statistic. Our recovery rate seems to be far higher than other countries. Not sure what is the reason is. Maybe Pakistanis pop pills like tic tacs so their bloodstreams are already full of antibodies or something lol.

People shouldn't get any wrong ideas. It has absolutely nothing to do with popping pills. Virus can't be defeated by any pills. While antibiotics only work against bacterial diseases. Popping pills like tic tacs can even have an adverse effect, where we create new super bugs which can't be killed by the regular antibiotics.

Pakistan is a young population. Most of the travelers from Iran might have been young too. Recovery rate for an average country is modeled to be 95%, so for a country like Pakistan with it's young population it can be expected to be even higher. Provided we have enough medical facility to help those in severe conditions.

Right now we have 37 critical cases while last week we had 18, the number isn't increasing drastically and we can remain hopeful.

 

[amvbfm]

Curve continues its flattening journey

Don't think so. Yesterday it rose again. Given the limited scale of our testing and lag in reporting, don't think the numbers are reliable enough to conclude that the curve is flattening.

 

[MenInG]

SC directs federal government to remove Zafar Mirza as SAPM on health

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the federal government to remove Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Zafar Mirza's from his post.

The verbal orders were given during an ongoing hearing regarding the government's response to the coronavirus.

A written order to this effect is awaited.

 

[King-Misbah]

SC directs federal government to remove Zafar Mirza as SAPM on health

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the federal government to remove Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Zafar Mirza's from his post.

The verbal orders were given during an ongoing hearing regarding the government's response to the coronavirus.

A written order to this effect is awaited.

What is wrong with SC? They should stick to their domain. They politicise matters and Dr Mirza is doing fine. It seems like the SC wants to cause a panic and weaken the govt. Shocking to say the least as Pakistan is doing well against the spread of the virus.

 

[King-Misbah]

Don't think so. Yesterday it rose again. Given the limited scale of our testing and lag in reporting, don't think the numbers are reliable enough to conclude that the curve is flattening.

This is the same every where in the world. What matters most is number of death.

 

[Greenstorm]

SC directs federal government to remove Zafar Mirza as SAPM on health

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the federal government to remove Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Zafar Mirza's from his post.

The verbal orders were given during an ongoing hearing regarding the government's response to the coronavirus.

A written order to this effect is awaited.

SC has nothing better to do.

 

[amvbfm]

This is the same every where in the world. What matters most is number of death.

The level of testing is the same?

 

[Abdullah719]

SC directs federal government to remove Zafar Mirza as SAPM on health

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the federal government to remove Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Zafar Mirza's from his post.

The verbal orders were given during an ongoing hearing regarding the government's response to the coronavirus.

A written order to this effect is awaited.

The response SC needs.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PM <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> leading from the front...help him out by donating towards PM’s Covid Relief Fund at <a href="https://t.co/l1uq3F0FBi">https://t.co/l1uq3F0FBi</a><br><br>I know how generous OVERSEAS Pakistanis can be, help your country when it’s most needed.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistanis4Pakistanis?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistanis4Pakistanis</a> <a href="https://t.co/aXmWZwCUiK">pic.twitter.com/aXmWZwCUiK</a></p>— Kevin Pietersen&#55358;&#56719; (@KP24) <a href="https://twitter.com/KP24/status/1249620885348237312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[bones]

Looks as if climate will help since it doesn’t appear to be spreading like other countries.

 

[King-Misbah]

The level of testing is the same?

Yes, it is quite similar. As in, you simply can not test 220 million people so you have to be smart about things. Test only those that are travellers, highly risky areas and those that could be spreaders.

 

[last_knight]

What is wrong with SC? They should stick to their domain. They politicise matters and Dr Mirza is doing fine. It seems like the SC wants to cause a panic and weaken the govt. Shocking to say the least as Pakistan is doing well against the spread of the virus.

CJ asked what are qualifications of Zafar Mirza.

Zafar Mirza: (Doctor)

MBBS - RMC Pakistan
MSc Public Health - LSH UK.
Ex-Global Coordinator WHO.
Ex-Regional Adviser WHO.
Founder & Executive Coordinator - The Network for Consumer Protection Pakistan

 

[last_knight]

Of course Dr Mirza sahib can't ask same question.

 

[Bewal Express]

This is a confusing judgment, if the reporting is not fake and that is a big if. If this guy has been sacked by the court, then what happen here in the UK, USA( Faucci is toast), Spain or Italy.

 

[Bewal Express]

The SC will badly hurt its Image if this order is real.

 

[Bewal Express]

CJ asked what are qualifications of Zafar Mirza.

Zafar Mirza: (Doctor)

MBBS - RMC Pakistan
MSc Public Health - LSH UK.
Ex-Global Coordinator WHO.
Ex-Regional Adviser WHO.
Founder & Executive Coordinator - The Network for Consumer Protection Pakistan

He should have said I am related to the Sharifs or the Zardaris and then nothing would have happened to him

 

[last_knight]

He should have said I am related to the Sharifs or the Zardaris and then nothing would have happened to him

Everyday strengthens my believe that only True Anomaly was Wajid Zia.

 

[King-Misbah]

The SC will badly hurt its Image if this order is real.

If it's true, I am sorry to say but SC should stop hiding behind contempt of court whilst making questionable decisions.

 

[Bewal Express]

If it's true, I am sorry to say but SC should stop hiding behind contempt of court whilst making questionable decisions.

Firstly, I can't imagine it's true. Let's wait for the written order. The SC does have an over sight role but not an executive role. The other problem is that LHC, IHC and SHC are corrupt to the core and the SC should be asked as to what they have done

 

[Syed1]

My man Musharaff was so right about these blacksheep.


I'm sure government college LLB pass CJ Gulzar knows more about how to run healthcare than the guy who was the regional director for WHO. We should immediately appoint CJ Gulzar as the health minister, he will find corona's cure within a day. Give him a week and he will test all 220 million Pakistanis.


More and more it is becoming evident that our judiciary IS the mafia. If it wasn't for Wajid Zia's report which produced a smoking gun of Sharif family corruption, I'm pretty sure these sc*m judges would have declared the Sharifs as innocent as well.

 

[Syed1]

Qualifications of CJ Gulzar vs Dr. Zafar Mirza


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistani nation as whole lost their trust from judiciary, 65% of Pakistani satisfied from Govt actions against crona outbreak, Executive must take action to fix judiciary issues and stop their interface.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SupremeCourt?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SupremeCourt</a> <a href="https://t.co/svIsopXvWt">pic.twitter.com/svIsopXvWt</a></p>— Dr Zaheer Sordasi (@ZaheerSordasi) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZaheerSordasi/status/1249625555311476737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Hermoine Green]

Qualifications of CJ Gulzar vs Dr. Zafar Mirza


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistani nation as whole lost their trust from judiciary, 65% of Pakistani satisfied from Govt actions against crona outbreak, Executive must take action to fix judiciary issues and stop their interface.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SupremeCourt?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SupremeCourt</a> <a href="https://t.co/svIsopXvWt">pic.twitter.com/svIsopXvWt</a></p>— Dr Zaheer Sordasi (@ZaheerSordasi) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZaheerSordasi/status/1249625555311476737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Same Cj who sewed his lips and supported lawyers when the attacked Lahore cardiology hospital.

 

[Kianig89]

Is SC any relevant here
Just a PR stunt

 

[Syed1]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Active Cases of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> in Punjab = 2,826 - 532 = 2,294 <a href="https://t.co/35US3bNTuU">https://t.co/35US3bNTuU</a></p>— Azhar (@MashwaniAzhar) <a href="https://twitter.com/MashwaniAzhar/status/1249794798971748353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



Great news.... nearly 500 people recovered yesterday in Punjab. This number was just 23 day before yesterday and 508 today. Alhumdulilah the pace of recoveries is far greater than new cases. We got this

 

[King-Misbah]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Active Cases of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> in Punjab = 2,826 - 532 = 2,294 <a href="https://t.co/35US3bNTuU">https://t.co/35US3bNTuU</a></p>— Azhar (@MashwaniAzhar) <a href="https://twitter.com/MashwaniAzhar/status/1249794798971748353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



Great news.... nearly 500 people recovered yesterday in Punjab. This number was just 23 day before yesterday and 508 today. Alhumdulilah the pace of recoveries is far greater than new cases. We got this

Alhamdulillah great news! I say 3 more weeks of lockdown and Pakistan can open up again in shallah.

I heard that recovered patience can be corona positive again; there was such cases in South Korea. Sorry for my lack of clarity, I am not a health professional and for the negativity.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan, which has officially recorded 5,707 cases of Covid-19, has announced that international borders in the country will remain closed for two more weeks. The decision was announced by the country's ministry of interior in a series of tweets. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has appealed to overseas Pakistani nationals to donate money towards coronavirus relief funds.

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: Further investigations into the spread of coronavirus in Sikandaria Colony of Samanabad linked the outbreak to just one ‘super spreader’ who infected 39 people and landed 170 others in hospitals as suspected patients.

The police have locked 57 houses in four locations of Sikandaria Colony after the number of confirmed cases there increased to 39 on Monday.

The police authorities declared the 100-meter area around the locality as ‘Red Zone’ where the cluster of confirmed cases was reported.

Similarly, the Sikandaria Colony’s areas, including Sodiwal Pind, Bilal Street, Abubakar Road and Sodiwal Quarters were declared ‘New Orange Zone’ for possible examination of the residents.

170 others under suspicion

“We have locked down 59 houses so far from where 209 people were declared suspected carriers of coronavirus,” Iqbal Town Division Superintendent of Police (SP) operations retired Capt Mohammad Ajmal told Dawn.

He said that one resident of Sikandaria Colony transmitted virus to 39 others in the area, including his family members, neighbours who were in close contact with him.

The ‘super spreader’, a labourer, had visited Karachi to see his sister and on his return complained of flu, dry cough and fever, he said, adding that being uneducated, the man kept on seeing his relatives and neighbours in spite of having symptoms of coronavirus.

After he tested positive for the virus, the authorities immediately launched a probe that revealed details of his social interaction, causing serious apprehensions regarding safety of others in the locality.

The SP said as the health teams sent samples of the spreader’s family members and immediate contacts, the reports confirmed 39 of them were positive for the virus.

A senior official of the health department said the super spreader of Sikandaria Colony had no international travel history.

Sharing a report with this reporter in this regard, he said, the labourer tested positive for the virus on April 5. The health teams collected samples of his 43 close contacts the same day and the reports received on April 7 confirmed that nine of them were carrying the virus.

Following the alarming number of confirmed patients, he said, the health teams conducted random sampling of 43 more people of the same area on April 8 and found 10 of them positive for the virus.

He said the health teams collected samples of 87 more people who were in contact with the 10 confirmed virus carriers on April 9, finding 19 of them positive. Similarly, the teams collected samples of 36 people who were in contact with the 19 confirmed patients on April 12. Their diagnostic reports are awaited yet, he said.

Similar cases of spreaders have surfaced from many parts of the province, including Gujrat, where four people with foreign travel history had infected over 50 people.

The latest case was reported at the Nishtar Hospital, Multan, where 16 doctors and nine paramedics tested positive after a house officer was found to be a carrier.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1548948/super-spreader-infects-39-in-lahores-sikandaria-colony

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Comparison of global <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID2019?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID2019</a> growth trend with indication of when restrictions were imposed. <br><br>Confirmed cases in Pakistan are doubling roughly every two weeks. <a href="https://t.co/xfxqMfGfRu">pic.twitter.com/xfxqMfGfRu</a></p>— Tania Aidrus (@taidrus) <a href="https://twitter.com/taidrus/status/1249932959223709697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Abdullah719]

 

[MenInG]

In the Pakistani city of Karachi, police have sealed a number of high-risk neighbourhoods by blocking all entry and exit points with shipping containers, in a bid to freeze any movement.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah confirmed that his government has sealed the areas that are worst-affected in the city. "We are arranging to increase testing points in these areas," he said.

But crowds in the city's vast slums, as well as other districts, continue to disregard calls for social distancing by crowding in public spaces such as markets.

Similar scenes have been observed in other major cities in the country such as Lahore and Multan.

Pakistan has reported more than 5,000 infections and at least 90 people have died from the virus.

 

[King-Misbah]

I am really frustrated with this virus and its impact on Pakistan. Pakistan was finally turning the corner and this virus happens. I can only imagine thr stress that the govt and army is undertaking, may Allah SWT bless them and Pakistan.

 

[Abdullah719]

Karachi's Covid-19 cases top 1,000

The number of coronavirus cases in Karachi has topped 1,000, according to an update from the provincial health department.

Karachi now accounts for more than 65 per cent of total cases in Sindh. The chief minister earlier confirmed 66 new Covid-19 cases, all from Karachi.

 

[Abdullah719]

The death rate in Karachi seems to be on the higher side which probably means that there are quite a lot more cases than the detected ones.

 

[Abdullah719]

More than 50 clerics warn govt not to further restrictions on prayer congregations

Spoiler

Senior clerics of Wafaqul Madaris al Arabia warned the government on Monday not to further the restrictions on congregations in mosques, which have been imposed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Despite the government's pleas to observe social distancing, more than 53 senior clerics of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, belonging to the Wafaqul Madaris al Arabia, held a meeting in Jamia Darul Uloom Zakria, Tarnol, Islamabad to discuss the matter. The meeting was attended by senior clerics representing various seminaries, banned groups, proscribed persons and political and non-political parties.

The clerics' warning has been issued before the government could come up with a plan to curb the spread of the disease during the holy month of Ramazan.

After much deliberation and meetings with religious leaders, the government has banned prayer congregations of more than five people as part of measures imposed to curb Covid-19.

A video clip released by them today showed clerics belonging to various political and non-political organisations including Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Aalmi Tanzeem Khatam-i-Nabuwat, seminaries such as Taleem ul Quran Raja Bazar and proscribed persons including a representative of banned group Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, sitting in close proximity of each other.

Announcing the decision, Pir Azizur Rahman Hazarvi, president of the Jamia Darul Uloom Zakaria, Islamabad and patron of JUI-F Islamabad said: “The senior clerics have noted that all efforts will be made to avoid clash and confrontations with the government and the state institutions.”

The meeting did not acknowledge the official directives of a maximum of five persons inside mosques for the collective prayers as the clerics said that the testing times demanded more time for prayers and announced that apart from the five times prayers, Friday and Taraweeh congregations will continue. The participants agreed to take other precautionary measures, however.

The precautions to be observed include the use of hand sanitisers, removal of rugs and carpets, washing of floors, cleaning of hands with soaps and social distancing.

Pir Azizur Rehman Hazarvi added, “The closure of mosques, shutting down Friday prayers and Taraweeh is unacceptable to the countrymen.”

He insisted that in order to get rid of the virus, it was imperative to seek forgiveness from Allah and increase the populace in mosques.

Furthermore, government leaders should also abide by religious norms and seek forgiveness, the clerics said.

The meeting criticised the authorities for arresting clerics across the country and demanded authorities to quash all cases against them.

The clerics said that they have cooperated with the government since the authorities starting taking measures to curb the coronavirus outbreak in the country, but claimed that the officials' behaviour with the administration of mosques was not in the same coin.

Red Mosque
Meanwhile, Lal Masjid's cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz continues to challenge the authority of Islamabad Capital Territoty (ICT) administration by openly flouting the stipulated precautionary measures.

Every week, Aziz releases footages of huge congregations gathered for Friday prayers, denouncing the restrictions imposed by the government. As a result, the number of mosques organising large Friday congregations is increasing in Islamabad.

A senior official of the ICT administration expressed helplessness over the defiance by Aziz saying that any strict action could create a law and order situation.

On Monday night, police tried to place concrete barriers to block the entrance of Lal Masjid to stop people from going inside.

But they were stopped as female students came out from the mosque and sat on the road and in front of the heavy machinery. The social media team of Lal Masjid floated the incidents as an act of resistance by the female students.

In a related development, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Pir Noorul Haq Qadri has announced that the government will contact leaders of various religio-political parties and take them onboard to restrict congregations in mosques for an extended period of time.

After meetings with senior clerics and leaders including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Allama Sajid Naqvi, Prof Sajid Mir, Allama Nasir Abbas Jafri and Senator Sirajul Haq, the decision will be enforced across the country, Qadri said.

Later, Qadri met Interior Minister Brig retired Ijaz Ahmad Shah to discuss the formulation of a strategy to ensure that preventive measures are observed in the holy month of Ramazan.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1548934/m...-further-restrictions-on-prayer-congregations

 

[last_knight]

The death rate in Karachi seems to be on the higher side which probably means that there are quite a lot more cases than the detected ones.

I don't want to go in details and source but someone is playing a dirty game in Karachi. Families of deceased are being offered to record deaths under "Corona Deaths".

 

[MenInG]

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday announced that the ongoing countrywide lockdown to combat the novel coronavirus will continue for the next two weeks for schools and public places.

He said certain industries such as construction will be opened, beginning tomorrow.

Speaking of the government's response to the virus so far, the premier said: "Owing to the restrictions we imposed, the way the virus should have spread, it did not. It only spread to an extent of 30% when compared to our projections."

PM Imran said the projections were based on trends observed worldwide.

"190 people should have died so far. We have less than half the number of deaths from the projected number," he said.

The prime minister warned that we should still all be mindful that "this virus can spread rapidly at any time".

"We need to continue to exercise caution."

https://www.geo.tv/latest/282797-pm...-for-schools-public-places-for-next-two-weeks

 

[Markhor]

Alhamdulillah great news! I say 3 more weeks of lockdown and Pakistan can open up again in shallah.

I heard that recovered patience can be corona positive again; there was such cases in South Korea. Sorry for my lack of clarity, I am not a health professional and for the negativity.

That's still being researched, but a positive test after recovery could be low level virus that's present but not causing infectious symptoms.

After SARS virus, studies showed antibodies remained in the system for at least a couple of years. However we don't know yet how long somebody will stay immune to COVID-19.

 

[srh]

Qualifications of CJ Gulzar vs Dr. Zafar Mirza


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistani nation as whole lost their trust from judiciary, 65% of Pakistani satisfied from Govt actions against crona outbreak, Executive must take action to fix judiciary issues and stop their interface.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SupremeCourt?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SupremeCourt</a> <a href="https://t.co/svIsopXvWt">pic.twitter.com/svIsopXvWt</a></p>— Dr Zaheer Sordasi (@ZaheerSordasi) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZaheerSordasi/status/1249625555311476737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Is not National College Karachi one of the lower level college in Karachi which gives admission to C or lower grade high school students?

 

[Syed1]

Government is saying that active cases today are 30% of they had predicted they would be by now, had we followed our initial growth trajectory and trend of other countries.

 

[King-Misbah]

Government is saying that active cases today are 30% of they had predicted they would be by now, had we followed our initial growth trajectory and trend of other countries.

When is the end date? When can we see zero new cases and the economy back up. It is a difficult question to ask but what are your thoughts. I do realise that construction work is back up now.

 

[Syed1]

When is the end date? When can we see zero new cases and the economy back up. It is a difficult question to ask but what are your thoughts. I do realise that construction work is back up now.

Don't think that day will ever arrive when we have zero new cases. Even China that has supposedly 'contained' it sees 100+ cases everyday. Only hope is a vaccine is developed in the next 8-10 months.


I think governments will cautiously lift lockdowns but will ask people to take strict precautions.

 

[amvbfm]

I hope I am wrong but I fear another surge in two weeks time. With the announcement by the government today three things are totally clear:

1) the lockdown has ended for all intents and purposes. What will follow will only be a lockdown in name unless the provincial governments do something drastically different from what has been announced
2) Neither the federal nor provincial governments have any intent of treating this as more than a political issue. The federal govt has once again decided to leave the ball in the province's court (yes they have their limits due to the 18th amendment but still the announcements today were too ambiguous and unclear)
3) the state has zero writ when it comes to the mullahs. They are a state within the state and free to do whatever they want.

From tomorrow everybody will be out on the streets. There is simply no way to enforce a partial or soft lockdown of the sort that is being envisaged.

 

[amvbfm]

Don't think that day will ever arrive when we have zero new cases. Even China that has supposedly 'contained' it sees 100+ cases everyday. Only hope is a vaccine is developed in the next 8-10 months.


I think governments will cautiously lift lockdowns but will ask people to take strict precautions.

Exactly. Elimination is impossible unless it happens simultaneously in all the affected countries. Even if you bring it down to zero the day you open your borders you can potentially import it again. That's why almost every expert is advocating mitigation and suppression until a vaccine is developed.

 

[last_knight]

Same Cj who sewed his lips and supported lawyers when the attacked Lahore cardiology hospital.

There are reports that Naib Qasid of CJ has tested positive for Corona.
He told us to remember our oath and to not protest against unavailability of PPE. And he has now stopped proceedings, against his oath.

 

[TrentDevil]

It seems Mullahs are on a mission to ensure coronavirus faces no problem in infecting more and more people