As Pakistan continues to struggle with the coronavirus situation in the country, several hospitals are complaining that they are running out of beds to treat patients.&nbsp;

Much like its South Asian neighbours, Pakistan is still lagging behind many Western countries in terms of testing, and officials on Monday said that more than 100,000 coronavirus cases and 2,000 deaths have been reported so far.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-rejects-imf-demand-to-freeze-salaries-of-govt-employees-304213">Pakistan rejects IMF demand to freeze salaries of govt employees</a>

A leaked government report last week claimed that in Lahore alone, there are about 700,000 infections.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/covid-19-former-pakistan-prime-minister-shahid-khaqan-abbasi-tests-positive-304192">COVID-19: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi tests positive</a>

In Lahore, several major hospitals said that they were running out of ventilators, beds, and other crucial equipment, reported AFP.&nbsp;

"Hospitals are running out of beds; there aren't enough ventilators given to us," Khizer Hayat, chairman of the Young Doctors Association of Punjab, said.&nbsp;

He added that facilities across the province require help.&nbsp;

Health centres in Karachi, a port city in southern Pakistan, are turning away patients.&nbsp;

A large sign was placed outside Indus hospital in Karachi which said that there was no space for coronavirus patients.&nbsp;

"As the cases increase, more health care workers are also falling victim to the virus," Farooq Sahil, a doctor at Services Hospital Lahore said.&nbsp;

Asad Umar, who heads the federal government's coronavirus task force, on Monday said a package was being finalised to reduce pressure from hospitals and would include 1,000 new beds in major cities.&nbsp;

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's approach to handling coronavirus has been patch as he has been reluctant on imposing a nationwide lockdown, arguing that the move would severely affect the economy.&nbsp;

In southwestern Balochistan province, government spokesman Liaqat Shahwani said the situation was serious, and officials were finding it hard to cope.

Sikander Ali Memon, who is leading Sindh province's efforts to curb the virus said that the crisis is "unfolding now as we have ceased to observe isolation".&nbsp;

As Pakistan continues to struggle with the coronavirus situation in the country, several hospitals are complaining that they are running out of beds to treat patients.

As Pakistan continues to struggle with the coronavirus situation in the country, several hospitals are complaining that they are running out of beds to treat patients. Much like its South Asian neighbours, Pakistan is still lagging behind many Western countries in terms of testing, and officials on Monday said that more than 100,000 coronavirus cases and 2,000 deaths have been reported so far. Also read | Pakistan rejects IMF demand to freeze salaries of govt employees A leaked government report last week claimed that in Lahore alone, there are about 700,000 infections. Also read | COVID-19: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi tests positive In Lahore, several major hospitals said that they were running out of ventilators, beds, and other crucial equipment, reported AFP. "Hospitals are running out of beds; there aren't enough ventilators given to us," Khizer Hayat, chairman of the Young Doctors Association of Punjab, said. He added that facilities across the province require help. Health centres in Karachi, a port city in southern Pakistan, are turning away patients. A large sign was placed outside Indus hospital in Karachi which said that there was no space for coronavirus patients. "As the cases increase, more health care workers are also falling victim to the virus," Farooq Sahil, a doctor at Services Hospital Lahore said. Asad Umar, who heads the federal government's coronavirus task force, on Monday said a package was being finalised to reduce pressure from hospitals and would include 1,000 new beds in major cities. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's approach to handling coronavirus has been patch as he has been reluctant on imposing a nationwide lockdown, arguing that the move would severely affect the economy. In southwestern Balochistan province, government spokesman Liaqat Shahwani said the situation was serious, and officials were finding it hard to cope. Sikander Ali Memon, who is leading Sindh province's efforts to curb the virus said that the crisis is "unfolding now as we have ceased to observe isolation".

Pakistan: As coronavirus cases cross 100,000, hospitals running out of beds, ventilators

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that people should learn living with COVID-19 by taking precautionary measures to avoid contracting it till its vaccine is made.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that people should learn living with COVID-19 by taking precautionary measures to avoid contracting it till its vaccine is made. Citing economic losses to justify his government's decision to lift a coronavirus lockdown despite rising infections and deaths, Kahn urged people to act responsibly. Pakistan has rolled back almost all shutdown measures, primarily to avert an economic meltdown. The country would open to tourism but cinemas, theatres and schools remain closed. The country has reported 72,160 novel coronavirus cases and 1,543 deaths, which jumped lately to as high as 80 a day. Its economic losses included a decline in exports, a 30% shortfall in revenues and remittances were expected to fall in coming months, Reuters report said quoting Khan. With the fiscal deficit likely to rise as high as 9.4% and the revenue shortfall, Pakistan is facing a balance of payment crisis. The country couldn't afford to match the losses incurred during the lockdown as many other countries had done, Khan said in a televised address. He cited 50 million people who live below the poverty line and 25 million daily wagers. Khan said his government gave cash handouts to the poor, which wasn't possible to continue on such a large scale, adding around 130 million to 150 million people were adversely affected by the shutdowns. "Our conditions don't allow that we keep feeding money to them, how long we can give them money," Khan said. "This virus will spread more. I have to say it with regret that there will be more deaths," Khan said. "If people do take care they can live with the virus."

'Live with the virus', says Pakistan prime minister after lifting lockdown

The World Bank on Monday pledged to provide USD 188 million to Pakistan to address the risks relating to environmental degradation, deforestation and climate change in the country. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
The global lender said it would provide funding and technical support for disaster resilience and ecosystem restoration initiatives through more reliable and timely weather forecasting, and achieving green growth targets, the ministry of climate change said in a statement. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
World Bank's Country Director Illango Patchamuthu said that the new initiative will take Pakistan's climate-resilience and disaster management capabilities to a new height through the furtherance of bilateral relations between the government of Pakistan and the World Bank. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Adviser to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Climate Malik Amin Aslam said the Green Economic Stimulus supports the objectives of the 10 billion tree tsunami afforestation project aimed at bolstering plantation, setting up of nurseries, natural forests, and promotion of honey, fruits and olive plantation in Pakistan. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Separately, the Advisor called on Prime Minister Khan and discussed the "Green Stimulus" package under which 65,000 youths and daily wagers would be utilised for plantation who are facing unemployment in the wake of COVID-19. 
&nbsp; 
The 'Protected Area Initiative' will involve the establishment of 12 national parks in the country to preserve and protect wildlife and plantations.

The World Bank on Monday pledged to provide USD 188 million to Pakistan to address the risks relating to environmental degradation, deforestation and climate change in the country.

The World Bank on Monday pledged to provide USD 188 million to Pakistan to address the risks relating to environmental degradation, deforestation and climate change in the country. The global lender said it would provide funding and technical support for disaster resilience and ecosystem restoration initiatives through more reliable and timely weather forecasting, and achieving green growth targets, the ministry of climate change said in a statement. World Bank's Country Director Illango Patchamuthu said that the new initiative will take Pakistan's climate-resilience and disaster management capabilities to a new height through the furtherance of bilateral relations between the government of Pakistan and the World Bank. Adviser to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Climate Malik Amin Aslam said the Green Economic Stimulus supports the objectives of the 10 billion tree tsunami afforestation project aimed at bolstering plantation, setting up of nurseries, natural forests, and promotion of honey, fruits and olive plantation in Pakistan. Separately, the Advisor called on Prime Minister Khan and discussed the "Green Stimulus" package under which 65,000 youths and daily wagers would be utilised for plantation who are facing unemployment in the wake of COVID-19. The 'Protected Area Initiative' will involve the establishment of 12 national parks in the country to preserve and protect wildlife and plantations.

World Bank to provide $188 million to Pakistan to address environmental degradation, climate change 

Pakistan's coronavirus cases on Monday crossed 72,000-mark with 2,964 new patients while the death toll climbed to 1,543 after 60 people lost their lives in the last 24 hours, health officials said.

According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 2,964 new infections surfaced over the last 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally of coronavirus to 72,460.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-espionage-case-spies-used-fake-aadhar-card-caught-red-handed-in-karol-bagh-302225">Pakistan espionage case: Spies used fake Aadhar card, caught red-handed in Karol Bagh</a>

The death toll reached 1,543 after 60 more deaths were reported during the last 24 hours.

According to the ministry, 28,245 cases have been diagnosed in Sindh, 26,240 in Punjab, 10,027 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 4,393 in Balochistan, 2,589 in Islamabad, 711 in Gilgit-Baltistan, and 255 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The ministry showed that 26,083 patients have been recovered so far from the virus. The authorities have conducted 561,136 tests, including 14,398 in the last 24 hours.

The month of May registered nearly 52,000 new coronavirus cases as the tally surged from 69,474 to 17,699 cases, while the death toll rose from 408 to 1,483.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan will chair a crucial meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) which is expected to decide the future strategy to deal with the increasing threat of the pandemic on Monday.

The meeting will discuss different options, including lockdown which was eased about two weeks ago. However, a minister said that increasing restrictions on people was not under active consideration.

"Lockdown option is always on the table, but it is not under active consideration,"&nbsp;Minister for Planning Asad Umar said on Sunday.

Umar heads the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) which recommends measures for consideration of NCC and also implements its decisions.

On May 9, Pakistan began easing the month-long lockdown despite a steady rise in the number of the coronavirus cases.

Prime Minister Khan had said that Pakistan would begin easing its nationwide lockdown in a phase-wise manner by allowing various businesses to open up, citing the economic crisis due to the shutdown, which was enforced in the country in March end.

Pakistan on Friday announced the resumption of outbound international flights from Saturday, over two months after the services were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Pakistan's coronavirus cases on Monday crossed 72,000-mark with 2,964 new patients while the death toll climbed to 1,543 after 60 people lost their lives in the last 24 hours, health officials said.

Pakistan's coronavirus cases on Monday crossed 72,000-mark with 2,964 new patients while the death toll climbed to 1,543 after 60 people lost their lives in the last 24 hours, health officials said. According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 2,964 new infections surfaced over the last 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally of coronavirus to 72,460. Also read | Pakistan espionage case: Spies used fake Aadhar card, caught red-handed in Karol Bagh The death toll reached 1,543 after 60 more deaths were reported during the last 24 hours. According to the ministry, 28,245 cases have been diagnosed in Sindh, 26,240 in Punjab, 10,027 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 4,393 in Balochistan, 2,589 in Islamabad, 711 in Gilgit-Baltistan, and 255 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The ministry showed that 26,083 patients have been recovered so far from the virus. The authorities have conducted 561,136 tests, including 14,398 in the last 24 hours. The month of May registered nearly 52,000 new coronavirus cases as the tally surged from 69,474 to 17,699 cases, while the death toll rose from 408 to 1,483. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan will chair a crucial meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) which is expected to decide the future strategy to deal with the increasing threat of the pandemic on Monday. The meeting will discuss different options, including lockdown which was eased about two weeks ago. However, a minister said that increasing restrictions on people was not under active consideration. "Lockdown option is always on the table, but it is not under active consideration," Minister for Planning Asad Umar said on Sunday. Umar heads the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) which recommends measures for consideration of NCC and also implements its decisions. On May 9, Pakistan began easing the month-long lockdown despite a steady rise in the number of the coronavirus cases. Prime Minister Khan had said that Pakistan would begin easing its nationwide lockdown in a phase-wise manner by allowing various businesses to open up, citing the economic crisis due to the shutdown, which was enforced in the country in March end. Pakistan on Friday announced the resumption of outbound international flights from Saturday, over two months after the services were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Pakistan records nearly 3,000 coronavirus infections in last 24 hours, total cases over 72,000

The investigations have found nearly Rs 30 million in cash in the wreckage of the Pakistan International Airlines' aircraft that crashed near Karachi International Airport and killed 99 people on board. &nbsp;

An official on Thursday said that probe and rescue officials have found currencies of various countries and denominations worth around Rs 30 million from the wreckage.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-search-team-retrieves-cockpit-voice-recorder-from-wreckage-of-crashed-airliner-301581">Pakistan's search team retrieves cockpit voice recorder from wreckage of crashed airliner</a>

"An investigation has been ordered into how such a huge amount of cash got through airport security and baggage scanners and found its way into the ill-fated flight," reported PTI quoting the official.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/crashed-pia-planes-pilot-ignored-3-warnings-to-lower-altitude-report-300877">Crashed PIA plane's pilot ignored 3 warnings to lower altitude: Report</a>

He added that the said amount was recovered from only two bags.&nbsp;

A government official on Thursday said that 47 bodies had been identified and 43 others were sent for burial.&nbsp;

As many as 97 people including the crew died in what is seen as one of the worst aviation disasters in Pakistan's history.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Flight PK-8303, which took&nbsp;off from Lahore for Karachi crashed in a residential area near the international airport on Friday, with only two flyers miraculously surviving the crash.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said on Thursday that the preliminary report of the plane crash would be presented before the parliament on June 22.

The investigations have found nearly Rs 30 million in cash in the wreckage of the Pakistan International Airlines' aircraft that crashed near Karachi International Airport and killed 99 people on board.

The investigations have found nearly Rs 30 million in cash in the wreckage of the Pakistan International Airlines' aircraft that crashed near Karachi International Airport and killed 99 people on board. An official on Thursday said that probe and rescue officials have found currencies of various countries and denominations worth around Rs 30 million from the wreckage. Also read | Pakistan's search team retrieves cockpit voice recorder from wreckage of crashed airliner "An investigation has been ordered into how such a huge amount of cash got through airport security and baggage scanners and found its way into the ill-fated flight," reported PTI quoting the official. Also read | Crashed PIA plane's pilot ignored 3 warnings to lower altitude: Report He added that the said amount was recovered from only two bags. A government official on Thursday said that 47 bodies had been identified and 43 others were sent for burial. As many as 97 people including the crew died in what is seen as one of the worst aviation disasters in Pakistan's history. Flight PK-8303, which took off from Lahore for Karachi crashed in a residential area near the international airport on Friday, with only two flyers miraculously surviving the crash. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said on Thursday that the preliminary report of the plane crash would be presented before the parliament on June 22.

Pakistan: Rs 30 million cash found from wreckage of crashed aircraft

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday alleged that the Indian government's "arrogant expansionist policies" is becoming "a threat" to its neighbours as he tried to curry favour with Islamabad's all-weather ally, China.

The Indian government "with its arrogant expansionist policies, akin to Nazi's Lebensraum (Living Space), is becoming a threat to India's neighbours. Bangladesh through Citizenship Act, border disputes with Nepal &amp; China, &amp; Pak threatened with false flag operation,"&nbsp;Khan said in a series of tweets.

Several areas along the 3,500-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh and North Sikkim have witnessed major military build-up by both the Indian and Chinese armies recently, in a clear signal of escalating tension and hardening of respective positions by the two sides even two weeks after they were engaged in two separate face-offs.

The LAC is the de-facto border between India and China.

Pakistan and China consider their relations as all-weather friends and their leaders often express support to each other on matters of core interests. Khan further alleged that India had "illegally annexed" Kashmir and dubbed it as "a war crime".

Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to drum up international support against India for withdrawing Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5 and bifurcating it into two Union territories.

India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 was its internal matter. It also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda.

Khan in his tweet said that the Indian government is "not only a threat to the country's minorities, but also a threat to regional peace." 
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also alleged that India's "aggressive policy towards its neighbours is putting at stake the regional peace and security."

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday alleged that the Indian government's "arrogant expansionist policies" is becoming "a threat" to its neighbours as he tried to curry favour with Islamabad's all-weather ally, China.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday alleged that the Indian government's "arrogant expansionist policies" is becoming "a threat" to its neighbours as he tried to curry favour with Islamabad's all-weather ally, China. The Indian government "with its arrogant expansionist policies, akin to Nazi's Lebensraum (Living Space), is becoming a threat to India's neighbours. Bangladesh through Citizenship Act, border disputes with Nepal & China, & Pak threatened with false flag operation," Khan said in a series of tweets. Several areas along the 3,500-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh and North Sikkim have witnessed major military build-up by both the Indian and Chinese armies recently, in a clear signal of escalating tension and hardening of respective positions by the two sides even two weeks after they were engaged in two separate face-offs. The LAC is the de-facto border between India and China. Pakistan and China consider their relations as all-weather friends and their leaders often express support to each other on matters of core interests. Khan further alleged that India had "illegally annexed" Kashmir and dubbed it as "a war crime". Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to drum up international support against India for withdrawing Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5 and bifurcating it into two Union territories. India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 was its internal matter. It also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda. Khan in his tweet said that the Indian government is "not only a threat to the country's minorities, but also a threat to regional peace." Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also alleged that India's "aggressive policy towards its neighbours is putting at stake the regional peace and security."

Pak PM Imran Khan tries to fuel tension between India and China, passes offensive remark

US President Donald Trump and ultra-conservative Pakistani religious scholars may have more in common than either would want to admit: a belief that the congregation is an essential pillar of prayer irrespective of public health concerns.

Trump, however, may wish that he had the kind of less polarised and/or more compliant audience that Pakistani clerics address.

Scores of religious leaders and groups in the United States have sought to protect their communities by advocating virtual rather than physical congregation at the time of a pandemic in which the coronavirus has yet to be brought under control.

Religious authorities in much of the Muslim world, Pakistan being the exception that proves the rule, have heeded government instructions and medical and public health advice.

That advice ranged from the closure of mosques to bans on social gatherings that precluded traditional iftar meals breaking the Ramadan fast and celebrations of this week’s end of the holy month to Saudi Arabia’s suspension of the umrah, the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca and possibly the haj too.

Leaving aside the question, whether he has the legal power to do so, Trump vowed to overrule governors who refused to open houses of worship, noting that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) had issued guidelines that included physical distancing.

The move designed to play to Trump’s Evangelist voter base received a mixed reception among American faith communities.

It appealed to those segments of the community with an unqualified belief in God’s ability and will to protect and that often are steeped in notions of Christian manhood that have deep roots in American Evangelism and were boosted by the 9/11 attacks on New York’s World Trade Towers and the Pentagon in Washington.

Trump’s recognition of prayer as an “essential” societal activity further drew a line intended to give houses of worship autonomy in an environment in which state intrusion into people’s lives has expanded greatly in a bid to fight the pandemic.

In that sense, the president was fighting a battle similar to that of Pakistani Sunni and Shia Muslim leaders who rejected a total closure of mosques but were willing to accept guidance on issues such as physical distancing.

The leaders see mosques “as spaces where you cultivate and express a communal religious identity that is very central to…their vision of the Pakistani state,” said a Pakistani Islamic scholar.

The clerics’ determination to retain control of religious spaces was reinforced by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s flip flops that resembled Trump’s zig-zags.

Khan initially sought to appeal to religious circles by meeting in the early days of the pandemic with Maulana Tariq Jameel, a leader of Tablighi Jamaat, who initially denied the contagious aspect of the virus.

Jameel reversed course and embraced physical distancing after his movement’s mass gatherings in Pakistan, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia turned into super-spreaders of the coronavirus.&nbsp;

Khan’s government further complicated issues by initially agreeing with religious leaders on a division of labour that would have empowered the clerics to advise their followers to stay at home, avoid congregational prayer and maintain physical distancing and then jumping the gun to announce the measures without coordination.

Mosques in major Pakistani cities were packed in recent days, despite religious leaders paying lip service to physical distancing, in a reflection of the degree to which ultra-conservatism has woven itself into the fabric of Pakistani society and in stark contrast to Saudi Arabia’s pre-emptive response to the health crisis.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled against government lockdowns, suggesting that the coronavirus was not a pandemic. Religious leaders have since backed away from their acceptance of physical distancing, demanding that the advice be abandoned.

Trump’s recognition of prayer as essential aligned itself with notions of concepts of religious freedom promoted by his administration, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the lead, that in effect serves to legitimize discrimination against minorities of various stripes.

Few doubt that Trump made his move with an eye on the US presidential election in November. Trump was embarking on a road on which mainstream ultra-conservative Pakistani clerics were also travelling.

The clerics remained silent when Ahmadis, a sect viewed as a heretic by mainstream Muslims, were excluded from a national commission created by the government earlier this month to promote religious tolerance and counter persecution of minorities.

Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry barred the inclusion of Ahmadis, who are among Pakistan’s most discriminated minorities, on grounds that they did not qualify as a minority and refuse to recognize the country’s constitution.

A 1974 amendment of the constitution bars Ahmadis from identifying themselves as Muslims because they do not recognize Mohammed as the last prophet.

Compared to the polarising environment that Trump operates in and likes to entrench, Pakistani clerics have it a lot easier. Except for liberals and human rights activists, few in Pakistan are willing to stand up for Ahmadi rights.

Moreover, the government shied away from imposing its will on the religious establishment during the pandemic as did the military, which built quarantine centres in various cities and helped local authorities implement a lockdown.

Pakistan lacks truly influential, more liberal religious voices in the mould of for example Reverend Curtiss DeYoung, CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches that groups African-American denominations, the mainline church and the Greek Orthodox Church.

“We listen to communities of colour, and many of our congregations’ people are engaged in representing refugees and immigrants, African-Americans, Latinos, even seniors, they're saying, why the urgency?” DeYoung said in response to Trump’s push.

“They're…directly affected. They're actually afraid in many cases to go into group gatherings...We feel that we need to make our decisions based on good science and the recommendations of our health department,” the reverend added.

DeYoung was joined by his Muslim counterparts in contrast to their Pakistani brethren.

"American Muslim scholars and community leaders have already determined that mosques will not be open in the near future because of the health concerns brought on by the pandemic. That's a determination for them to make not for the president to make,” said Ibrahim Hooper, communications director of the Council on American–Islamic Relations, the largest US Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization.

To be sure, the United States and Pakistan are vastly different countries. Pakistan has been hard hit by the pandemic with 55,657 cases of infection to date and 1,155 deaths. Yet, that is a far cry from the United States’ 1,613,324 cases and 96,659 deaths.

Pakistan, nonetheless, saw its number of cases quadruple during the month of Ramadan and the rate of new infections jump by 30 per cent in the last week as the holy month neared its end.

Yet, when it comes to employing religion to entrench power at the cost of striking a balance between faith and science, Trump and Pakistani religious scholars share the kind of opportunism and worldview that serve their short-term interests irrespective of the cost to human life and potentially to already battered economies.

(The article is co-authored by Tehmina Qureshi. Tehmina is a multi-platform journalist and editorial writer at Dawn, Pakistan’s leading English-language newspaper)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump and ultra-conservative Pakistani religious scholars may have more in common than either would want to admit: a belief that the congregation is an essential pillar of prayer irrespective of public health concerns.

US President Donald Trump and ultra-conservative Pakistani religious scholars may have more in common than either would want to admit: a belief that the congregation is an essential pillar of prayer irrespective of public health concerns. Trump, however, may wish that he had the kind of less polarised and/or more compliant audience that Pakistani clerics address. Scores of religious leaders and groups in the United States have sought to protect their communities by advocating virtual rather than physical congregation at the time of a pandemic in which the coronavirus has yet to be brought under control. Religious authorities in much of the Muslim world, Pakistan being the exception that proves the rule, have heeded government instructions and medical and public health advice. That advice ranged from the closure of mosques to bans on social gatherings that precluded traditional iftar meals breaking the Ramadan fast and celebrations of this week’s end of the holy month to Saudi Arabia’s suspension of the umrah, the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca and possibly the haj too. Leaving aside the question, whether he has the legal power to do so, Trump vowed to overrule governors who refused to open houses of worship, noting that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) had issued guidelines that included physical distancing. The move designed to play to Trump’s Evangelist voter base received a mixed reception among American faith communities. It appealed to those segments of the community with an unqualified belief in God’s ability and will to protect and that often are steeped in notions of Christian manhood that have deep roots in American Evangelism and were boosted by the 9/11 attacks on New York’s World Trade Towers and the Pentagon in Washington. Trump’s recognition of prayer as an “essential” societal activity further drew a line intended to give houses of worship autonomy in an environment in which state intrusion into people’s lives has expanded greatly in a bid to fight the pandemic. In that sense, the president was fighting a battle similar to that of Pakistani Sunni and Shia Muslim leaders who rejected a total closure of mosques but were willing to accept guidance on issues such as physical distancing. The leaders see mosques “as spaces where you cultivate and express a communal religious identity that is very central to…their vision of the Pakistani state,” said a Pakistani Islamic scholar. The clerics’ determination to retain control of religious spaces was reinforced by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s flip flops that resembled Trump’s zig-zags. Khan initially sought to appeal to religious circles by meeting in the early days of the pandemic with Maulana Tariq Jameel, a leader of Tablighi Jamaat, who initially denied the contagious aspect of the virus. Jameel reversed course and embraced physical distancing after his movement’s mass gatherings in Pakistan, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia turned into super-spreaders of the coronavirus. Khan’s government further complicated issues by initially agreeing with religious leaders on a division of labour that would have empowered the clerics to advise their followers to stay at home, avoid congregational prayer and maintain physical distancing and then jumping the gun to announce the measures without coordination. Mosques in major Pakistani cities were packed in recent days, despite religious leaders paying lip service to physical distancing, in a reflection of the degree to which ultra-conservatism has woven itself into the fabric of Pakistani society and in stark contrast to Saudi Arabia’s pre-emptive response to the health crisis. Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled against government lockdowns, suggesting that the coronavirus was not a pandemic. Religious leaders have since backed away from their acceptance of physical distancing, demanding that the advice be abandoned. Trump’s recognition of prayer as essential aligned itself with notions of concepts of religious freedom promoted by his administration, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the lead, that in effect serves to legitimize discrimination against minorities of various stripes. Few doubt that Trump made his move with an eye on the US presidential election in November. Trump was embarking on a road on which mainstream ultra-conservative Pakistani clerics were also travelling. The clerics remained silent when Ahmadis, a sect viewed as a heretic by mainstream Muslims, were excluded from a national commission created by the government earlier this month to promote religious tolerance and counter persecution of minorities. Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry barred the inclusion of Ahmadis, who are among Pakistan’s most discriminated minorities, on grounds that they did not qualify as a minority and refuse to recognize the country’s constitution. A 1974 amendment of the constitution bars Ahmadis from identifying themselves as Muslims because they do not recognize Mohammed as the last prophet. Compared to the polarising environment that Trump operates in and likes to entrench, Pakistani clerics have it a lot easier. Except for liberals and human rights activists, few in Pakistan are willing to stand up for Ahmadi rights. Moreover, the government shied away from imposing its will on the religious establishment during the pandemic as did the military, which built quarantine centres in various cities and helped local authorities implement a lockdown. Pakistan lacks truly influential, more liberal religious voices in the mould of for example Reverend Curtiss DeYoung, CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches that groups African-American denominations, the mainline church and the Greek Orthodox Church. “We listen to communities of colour, and many of our congregations’ people are engaged in representing refugees and immigrants, African-Americans, Latinos, even seniors, they're saying, why the urgency?” DeYoung said in response to Trump’s push. “They're…directly affected. They're actually afraid in many cases to go into group gatherings...We feel that we need to make our decisions based on good science and the recommendations of our health department,” the reverend added. DeYoung was joined by his Muslim counterparts in contrast to their Pakistani brethren. "American Muslim scholars and community leaders have already determined that mosques will not be open in the near future because of the health concerns brought on by the pandemic. That's a determination for them to make not for the president to make,” said Ibrahim Hooper, communications director of the Council on American–Islamic Relations, the largest US Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. To be sure, the United States and Pakistan are vastly different countries. Pakistan has been hard hit by the pandemic with 55,657 cases of infection to date and 1,155 deaths. Yet, that is a far cry from the United States’ 1,613,324 cases and 96,659 deaths. Pakistan, nonetheless, saw its number of cases quadruple during the month of Ramadan and the rate of new infections jump by 30 per cent in the last week as the holy month neared its end. Yet, when it comes to employing religion to entrench power at the cost of striking a balance between faith and science, Trump and Pakistani religious scholars share the kind of opportunism and worldview that serve their short-term interests irrespective of the cost to human life and potentially to already battered economies. (The article is co-authored by Tehmina Qureshi. Tehmina is a multi-platform journalist and editorial writer at Dawn, Pakistan’s leading English-language newspaper) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

What do Donald Trump and ultra-conservative Pakistani clerics have in common?

Pak PM Imran Khan secured billions of dollars in funds to fight this pandemic. But a report claims that the Pak govt is misusing relief money to pay electricity bills. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you the story.

Gravitas:  Pakistan using relief money to pay bills?

A Pakistani foreign service official in Ukraine was charged with sexual harassment earlier this month. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you how Pakistani diplomats have a history of embarrassing Islamabad.

Gravitas: Pakistani diplomats: A national embarrassment

#BoycottUAE was trending in Pakistan on Tuesday because Turkey said so!&nbsp;Pakistan's&nbsp;Twitter users jumped on Turkey's bandwagon as a result the hashtag started trending.

Turkey is growing more assertive and wants to stamp its authority in Libya.&nbsp;Some Turkey-based Twitter accounts decided to slam the UAE for its growing support to Libya. Some of the more creative ones&nbsp;began highlighting the strengthening relationship between India and the UAE.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-was-boycottuae-trending-in-pak-300019/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The hashtag soon reached Pakistan and netizens there didn't understand the trend much. All they saw was that this trend mentioned India. So they unleashed a tweet storm.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
UAE Always been the supporter of India and Modi govt so UAE has played a vital role in genocides of muslims in India.. 
Alhamdulillah we Pakistanis are glad to have brother country like Turkey.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BoycottUAE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BoycottUAE</a> PRAY FOR INDIAN ,KASHMIRI MUSLIM <a href="https://t.co/jZp8pvBygN">pic.twitter.com/jZp8pvBygN</a>
— Muddasir Noor (@MudasirNoor8) <a href="https://twitter.com/MudasirNoor8/status/1263132835872944128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Turkey is boycotting UAE and we PAKISTAN are always with TURKEY ♥️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BoycottUAE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BoycottUAE</a> <a href="https://t.co/iu3gzAR17v">pic.twitter.com/iu3gzAR17v</a>
— CH SAAD IBRAR (@CHSAADIBRAR1) <a href="https://twitter.com/CHSAADIBRAR1/status/1263133624662200321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Pakistan's keyboard warriors ensured that hashtag boycott UAE becomes the top trend.&nbsp;What they forgot was their government's outstanding debts to the UAE. Pakistan owes billions of dollars to the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp;

Time and again it has sought financial assistance packages from the country.&nbsp;Besides China, UAE&nbsp;has been one of the main avenues for Pakistan to seek bailouts. A fact that has now turned into a national embarrassment for Pakistan.

A series of reality checks were given by social media influencers in Pakistan.&nbsp;Reality checks about how those trending this hashtag&nbsp;would themselves will not be able to repay this debt, even if they sell their body parts.

A debt which the Pak government too will find tough to repay. No matter how many embassy buildings it sells. A couple of years back Pakistan foreign ministry officials sold their embassy buildings in Jakarta and Tokyo.

These officials received kickbacks. The National Accountability Bureau of Pakistan has now revived a corruption case against these officials.

Pakistan foreign ministry is fighting an embezzlement case within the country with even the health ministry being accused of corruption.

A health minister to be precise, Dr Zafar Mirza, the special assistant to Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan on health. The man who once smuggled 20 million masks out of Pakistan. PM Imran Khan has finally decided to curtail his authority to make financial decisions.

There has been another scam --- this time in the import of vitamin tablets. So, Dr Zafar Mirza has been instructed to send all summaries involving any financial matters to the prime minister henceforth.

But he won't be fired, Imran Khan is only adjusting corruption. Pakistan's own house is in mess.

Pakistan's keyboard warriors keep bringing to life more amounts of the mess.&nbsp;

#BoycottUAE was trending in Pakistan on Tuesday because Turkey said so! Pakistan's Twitter users jumped on Turkey's bandwagon as a result the hashtag started trending.

#BoycottUAE was trending in Pakistan on Tuesday because Turkey said so! Pakistan's Twitter users jumped on Turkey's bandwagon as a result the hashtag started trending. Turkey is growing more assertive and wants to stamp its authority in Libya. Some Turkey-based Twitter accounts decided to slam the UAE for its growing support to Libya. Some of the more creative ones began highlighting the strengthening relationship between India and the UAE. The hashtag soon reached Pakistan and netizens there didn't understand the trend much. All they saw was that this trend mentioned India. So they unleashed a tweet storm. UAE Always been the supporter of India and Modi govt so UAE has played a vital role in genocides of muslims in India.. Alhamdulillah we Pakistanis are glad to have brother country like Turkey.#BoycottUAE PRAY FOR INDIAN ,KASHMIRI MUSLIM pic.twitter.com/jZp8pvBygN — Muddasir Noor (@MudasirNoor8) May 20, 2020 × Turkey is boycotting UAE and we PAKISTAN are always with TURKEY ♥️#BoycottUAE pic.twitter.com/iu3gzAR17v — CH SAAD IBRAR (@CHSAADIBRAR1) May 20, 2020 × Pakistan's keyboard warriors ensured that hashtag boycott UAE becomes the top trend. What they forgot was their government's outstanding debts to the UAE. Pakistan owes billions of dollars to the United Arab Emirates. Time and again it has sought financial assistance packages from the country. Besides China, UAE has been one of the main avenues for Pakistan to seek bailouts. A fact that has now turned into a national embarrassment for Pakistan. A series of reality checks were given by social media influencers in Pakistan. Reality checks about how those trending this hashtag would themselves will not be able to repay this debt, even if they sell their body parts. A debt which the Pak government too will find tough to repay. No matter how many embassy buildings it sells. A couple of years back Pakistan foreign ministry officials sold their embassy buildings in Jakarta and Tokyo. These officials received kickbacks. The National Accountability Bureau of Pakistan has now revived a corruption case against these officials. Pakistan foreign ministry is fighting an embezzlement case within the country with even the health ministry being accused of corruption. A health minister to be precise, Dr Zafar Mirza, the special assistant to Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan on health. The man who once smuggled 20 million masks out of Pakistan. PM Imran Khan has finally decided to curtail his authority to make financial decisions. There has been another scam --- this time in the import of vitamin tablets. So, Dr Zafar Mirza has been instructed to send all summaries involving any financial matters to the prime minister henceforth. But he won't be fired, Imran Khan is only adjusting corruption. Pakistan's own house is in mess. Pakistan's keyboard warriors keep bringing to life more amounts of the mess.

#BoycottUAE trends in Pakistan as netizens forget country's debts to UAE

China cannot be trusted. The dragon scams all -&nbsp;friends or foe. The&nbsp;realisation recently dawned upon China's all-weather ally - Pakistan.

Chinese businessmen scammed Pakistan of $630 dollars. At the centre of the scam was the China-Pakistan economic corridor(CPEC).

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-did-china-rob-pakistan-of-630-million-300027/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

When China said CPEC,&nbsp;Islamabad didn't know that the 'c' at the end stood for conning. A&nbsp;committee looking into the losses in Pakistan's power sector has dug out a $625 scam.

The money trail leads all the way to China and it involves two Chinese power producers Huaneng Shandong Ruyi energy(HSR) and Port Qasim Electric Power Company Limited.

Both companies are connected to CPEC power projects. The allegations against them are of violation of standard procedure and malpractices. Both Chinese plants showed excess set-up costs for extra profits. They were earning annual profits of up to 50 to 70 per cent. The cost was borne by the consumers of Pakistan.

In Karachi, residents are paying up to 17.69 Pakistan rupee per unit of electricity. These skyrocketing costs compelled PM Imran Khan to order a probe.

A 278-page report unearthed the&nbsp;Chinese electricity scam. The Dragon is stealing power in Pakistan and the&nbsp;shock should compel Islamabad into checking its bill with China.

But Imran Khan can do nothing, the CPEC has close links with Pakistan's military. Retired Pakistani Lt. General Asim Saleem Bajwa chairs the CPEC authority, also Imran Khan will not dare to take on the Chinese firms.

Bajwa is also the Prime Minister's assistant on information and broadcasting which means he will ensure that Imran Khan does not address the scam in public. It will be hushed up. Like a lot of other things in Pakistan.

China cannot be trusted. The dragon scams all - friends or foe. The realisation recently dawned upon China's all-weather ally - Pakistan. Chinese businessmen scammed Pakistan of $630 dollars.

China cannot be trusted. The dragon scams all - friends or foe. The realisation recently dawned upon China's all-weather ally - Pakistan. Chinese businessmen scammed Pakistan of $630 dollars. At the centre of the scam was the China-Pakistan economic corridor(CPEC). When China said CPEC, Islamabad didn't know that the 'c' at the end stood for conning. A committee looking into the losses in Pakistan's power sector has dug out a $625 scam. The money trail leads all the way to China and it involves two Chinese power producers Huaneng Shandong Ruyi energy(HSR) and Port Qasim Electric Power Company Limited. Both companies are connected to CPEC power projects. The allegations against them are of violation of standard procedure and malpractices. Both Chinese plants showed excess set-up costs for extra profits. They were earning annual profits of up to 50 to 70 per cent. The cost was borne by the consumers of Pakistan. In Karachi, residents are paying up to 17.69 Pakistan rupee per unit of electricity. These skyrocketing costs compelled PM Imran Khan to order a probe. A 278-page report unearthed the Chinese electricity scam. The Dragon is stealing power in Pakistan and the shock should compel Islamabad into checking its bill with China. But Imran Khan can do nothing, the CPEC has close links with Pakistan's military. Retired Pakistani Lt. General Asim Saleem Bajwa chairs the CPEC authority, also Imran Khan will not dare to take on the Chinese firms. Bajwa is also the Prime Minister's assistant on information and broadcasting which means he will ensure that Imran Khan does not address the scam in public. It will be hushed up. Like a lot of other things in Pakistan.

Now, Pakistan digs up $680 million scam linked to China's CPEC

Six paramilitary soldiers were killed and four wounded in Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Balochistan in a roadside bomb attack on their vehicle, officials said early Tuesday.

The incident happened in the hilly areas of Bolan district, some 80 kilometres&nbsp;southeast of the provincial capital Quetta late on Monday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/government-is-throttling-service-twitterati-react-after-twitter-stops-working-in-pakistan-299388" hreflang="en">Government is throttling service: Twitterati react after Twitter stops working in Pakistan</a>

"Six Frontier Corps personnel were killed in a roadside bomb blast while four others received injuries and have been sent to hospital," Deputy Commissioner Bolan Murad Kasi said. The bomb hit the vehicle during a routine patrol, he added.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but Baluch separatists demanding greater autonomy have been waging an insurgency for years while the province is also riven by sectarian strife and Islamist violence.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/two-pakistani-teenage-girls-in-waziristan-village-killed-for-honour-over-leaked-mobile-video-299367" hreflang="en">Two Pakistani teenage girls in Waziristan village killed for 'honour' over leaked mobile video</a>

Six soldiers were killed in a similar roadside bomb blast earlier this month. The incident was later claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army, a Baloch separatist group.

Mineral-rich Balochistan, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, is the largest of Pakistan's four provinces, but its roughly seven million inhabitants have long complained they do not receive a fair share of its gas and mineral wealth.

China is investing in the area under a $54-billion project known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), upgrading infrastructure, power and transport links between its far-western Xinjiang region and Pakistan's Gwadar port.

Thousands of paramilitary troops carry out security checks and help police in maintaining law and order in restive parts of Pakistan.

Six paramilitary soldiers were killed and four wounded in Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Balochistan in a roadside bomb attack on their vehicle, officials said early Tuesday.

Six paramilitary soldiers were killed and four wounded in Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Balochistan in a roadside bomb attack on their vehicle, officials said early Tuesday. The incident happened in the hilly areas of Bolan district, some 80 kilometres southeast of the provincial capital Quetta late on Monday. Also read: Government is throttling service: Twitterati react after Twitter stops working in Pakistan "Six Frontier Corps personnel were killed in a roadside bomb blast while four others received injuries and have been sent to hospital," Deputy Commissioner Bolan Murad Kasi said. The bomb hit the vehicle during a routine patrol, he added. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but Baluch separatists demanding greater autonomy have been waging an insurgency for years while the province is also riven by sectarian strife and Islamist violence. Also read: Two Pakistani teenage girls in Waziristan village killed for 'honour' over leaked mobile video Six soldiers were killed in a similar roadside bomb blast earlier this month. The incident was later claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army, a Baloch separatist group. Mineral-rich Balochistan, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, is the largest of Pakistan's four provinces, but its roughly seven million inhabitants have long complained they do not receive a fair share of its gas and mineral wealth. China is investing in the area under a $54-billion project known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), upgrading infrastructure, power and transport links between its far-western Xinjiang region and Pakistan's Gwadar port. Thousands of paramilitary troops carry out security checks and help police in maintaining law and order in restive parts of Pakistan.

Bomb kills six, wounds four in southwest Pakistan

Top Courts of Pakistan orders to reopen malls and shops. Court says Covid 19 is not pandemic in Pakistan and the lockdown should gets end. Total cases reaches 40 thousands in Pakistan

Lockdown ends in Pakistan, Malls and Market to be reopen-SC

In a bid to copy India, Pakistan's national radio broadcaster decided to a carry a weather report from India's Ladakh region. The report however ended up embarrassing Pakistan's state broadcaster.

Gravitas: Pakistan fails miserably in 'weather war'

The coronavirus pandemic may just have put a brake on an incessant arms expenditure globally but Pakistan army is untouched with this.

The armed forces of Pakistan are seeking a 20 per cent increase in the salaries of their personnel for the fiscal year 2020-21.

According to a Defense Ministry memorandum, this salary hike would cost Rs. 63.67 billion to cover all three services—the Air Force, the Army, and the Navy. 
 
WATCH:&nbsp;Pakistan army seeks salary hike&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-pakistan-army-wants-a-salary-hike-298530/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The memorandum stated that the increase in salaries during fiscal 2020-21 is needed because of various factors that have “affected the fiscal space and livelihood of armed forces personnel”.

Last year, Due to PM Imran Khan's austerity drive in the nation Pakistan’s military “voluntarily agreed” to cut expenses due to the “critical financial situation” facing the country, and skipped a routine increase in the defence budget.

The coronavirus pandemic may just have put a brake on an incessant arms expenditure globally but Pakistan army is untouched with this. The armed forces of Pakistan are seeking a 20 per cent increase in the salaries of their personnel for the fiscal year 2020-21.

The coronavirus pandemic may just have put a brake on an incessant arms expenditure globally but Pakistan army is untouched with this. The armed forces of Pakistan are seeking a 20 per cent increase in the salaries of their personnel for the fiscal year 2020-21. According to a Defense Ministry memorandum, this salary hike would cost Rs. 63.67 billion to cover all three services—the Air Force, the Army, and the Navy. WATCH: Pakistan army seeks salary hike × The memorandum stated that the increase in salaries during fiscal 2020-21 is needed because of various factors that have “affected the fiscal space and livelihood of armed forces personnel”. Last year, Due to PM Imran Khan's austerity drive in the nation Pakistan’s military “voluntarily agreed” to cut expenses due to the “critical financial situation” facing the country, and skipped a routine increase in the defence budget.

Pakistan Army seeks nearly 20% increase in salaries of personnel

Pakistan's armed forces are looking for&nbsp;an increase of 20 per cent in salaries of all cadres, after merger of four adhoc allowances into 2017 basic pay, in the upcoming budget.

The memorandum, submitted to the Finance Division by the Defense Ministry, says that the Joint Staff Headquarters, in consultation with services headquarters, claims security personnel are feeling a salary crunch due to devaluation of the rupee and inflation in consumer goods and utility prices.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-reduces-quarantine-period-for-inbound-air-passengers-298232" hreflang="en">Pakistan reduces quarantine period for inbound air passengers</a>

It stated the increase in salaries during fiscal 2020-21 is needed because of various factors that have ''affected the fiscal space and livelihood of armed forces personnel,'' claiming that&nbsp;it would cost Rs. 63.67 billion to cover all three services—the Air Force, the Army, and the Navy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-reports-2000-new-covid-19-cases-298404" hreflang="en">Pakistan reports 2,000 new COVID-19 cases</a>

It noted that in the current financial year, 2019-20, the salary of officers up to the rank of brigadier (BPS 17-20) had increased by 5 percent.

''10 percent ad hoc relief was awarded to JCOs/soldiers''&nbsp;of basic pay scale 1-16,&nbsp;it added.

Last year, Pakistan’s military “voluntarily agreed” to cut expenses due to the “critical financial situation” facing the country, and skipped a routine increase in the defence budget. This did not include pensions for retired soldiers, which is covered by the federal government to the tune of Rs 260 billion.

In June last year, the government announced a defence budget of Rs 1.15 trillion ($7.6 billion) for fiscal 2019-20, an increase of 1.3&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;over the revised military expenditure for 2018-19. The defence budget amounted to almost 16&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of total government expenditure for the year and about 3 per cent&nbsp;of GDP.

The official communication between ministry of defence and finance division revealed that high officials of joint staff headquarters and services hq discussed revision of salaries of armed forces personnel, before sending the request.

The meeting was informed that the government employees including armed forced personnel are being affected due to ever increasing inflation owing to devaluation of rupee, impact on consumer price index (CPI) and increase in utility bills etc.

The ministry of defence said only five percent increase was granted to officers up to the ranked brigadier (paying scale 17-20) and 10 percent adhoc relief was awarded to junior commissioned officers (jcos) and soldiers (paying scale 1-16).

However, no increase was given to general officers (paying scale 21-22) in the budget of ongoing fiscal year 2019-20.

Ministry believes that the adhoc relief granted in salaries of officers has also been marginalized when income tax slabs were enhanced. this resulted into payment of additional income tax from the amount of current salaries, consequently the salaries of armed forces personnel have already been decreased.

After thorough consultations, joint staff headquarters forwarded the case to ministry of defence to put it before the federal ministry of finance for increase in salaries of armed forces personnel duly approved by the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC).

Ministry of Defense requested the finance division to revise the salaries of officers and personnel merging of adhoc relief allowances (for years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019) in basic pay 2017. 
&nbsp;

Pakistan's armed forces are looking for an increase of 20 per cent in salaries of all cadres, after merger of four adhoc allowances into 2017 basic pay, in the upcoming budget.

Pakistan's armed forces are looking for an increase of 20 per cent in salaries of all cadres, after merger of four adhoc allowances into 2017 basic pay, in the upcoming budget. The memorandum, submitted to the Finance Division by the Defense Ministry, says that the Joint Staff Headquarters, in consultation with services headquarters, claims security personnel are feeling a salary crunch due to devaluation of the rupee and inflation in consumer goods and utility prices. Also read: Pakistan reduces quarantine period for inbound air passengers It stated the increase in salaries during fiscal 2020-21 is needed because of various factors that have ''affected the fiscal space and livelihood of armed forces personnel,'' claiming that it would cost Rs. 63.67 billion to cover all three services—the Air Force, the Army, and the Navy. Also read: Pakistan reports 2,000 new COVID-19 cases It noted that in the current financial year, 2019-20, the salary of officers up to the rank of brigadier (BPS 17-20) had increased by 5 percent. ''10 percent ad hoc relief was awarded to JCOs/soldiers'' of basic pay scale 1-16, it added. Last year, Pakistan’s military “voluntarily agreed” to cut expenses due to the “critical financial situation” facing the country, and skipped a routine increase in the defence budget. This did not include pensions for retired soldiers, which is covered by the federal government to the tune of Rs 260 billion. In June last year, the government announced a defence budget of Rs 1.15 trillion ($7.6 billion) for fiscal 2019-20, an increase of 1.3 per cent over the revised military expenditure for 2018-19. The defence budget amounted to almost 16 per cent of total government expenditure for the year and about 3 per cent of GDP. The official communication between ministry of defence and finance division revealed that high officials of joint staff headquarters and services hq discussed revision of salaries of armed forces personnel, before sending the request. The meeting was informed that the government employees including armed forced personnel are being affected due to ever increasing inflation owing to devaluation of rupee, impact on consumer price index (CPI) and increase in utility bills etc. The ministry of defence said only five percent increase was granted to officers up to the ranked brigadier (paying scale 17-20) and 10 percent adhoc relief was awarded to junior commissioned officers (jcos) and soldiers (paying scale 1-16). However, no increase was given to general officers (paying scale 21-22) in the budget of ongoing fiscal year 2019-20. Ministry believes that the adhoc relief granted in salaries of officers has also been marginalized when income tax slabs were enhanced. this resulted into payment of additional income tax from the amount of current salaries, consequently the salaries of armed forces personnel have already been decreased. After thorough consultations, joint staff headquarters forwarded the case to ministry of defence to put it before the federal ministry of finance for increase in salaries of armed forces personnel duly approved by the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC). Ministry of Defense requested the finance division to revise the salaries of officers and personnel merging of adhoc relief allowances (for years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019) in basic pay 2017.

Pakistan armed forces seeking 20 percent raise in salary

Pakistan on Saturday began easing the month-long lockdown despite a steady rise in the number of the coronavirus cases which rose to 27,474.

Pakistan eases lockdown even as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

Pakistan has lifted the countrywide&nbsp;lockdown and started easing the restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus pandemic, despite the rising in confirmed cases.

The decision is being taken because the country's large number of poor people and labourers cannot not afford to live under lockdown any more, Prime Minister Imran Khan&nbsp;said on Thursday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/more-than-500-repatriated-pakistan-nationals-test-positive-110000-more-register-to-return-home-297529" hreflang="en">More than 500 repatriated Pakistan nationals test positive</a>

"We're deciding that we are ending this lockdown now," Khan said in a televised address. "We know that we're doing it at a time when our curve is going up.... but it is not edging up as we were expecting."

Impoverished&nbsp;Pakistanis cannot survive under lockdown any longer, Khan said. "Since we started this lockdown, we had this fear that these people who are daily wagers, who feed their kids on daily earnings, what will happen to them?" he asked.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-reports-record-1764-new-cases-in-24-hours-total-death-toll-nears-600-297431" hreflang="en">Pakistan reports record 1,764 new cases in 24 hours; death toll nears 600</a>

He said the shutdown would be lifted in phases and warned people that the disease could get out of control if they didn't take precautions.

The government's handling of the virus has been strongly criticised by scientists and doctors who fear the outbreak will gather pace among a population of more than 200 million and overwhelm the country's struggling health system.

Planning Minister Asad Umar said that initially small markets and shops would be allowed to open until 5 p.m., although big malls and other spaces which attract large crowds would remain closed for now.

A decision to reopen intercity transport and railways will be taken later, while schools will stay closed until July 15, Umar said.

Khan said the restrictions could be restored if the outbreak worsens, something his critics expect to happen due to what they describe as a confused policy response to the crisis and capitulation to Islamist clerics.

He allowed communal prayers for the holy month of Ramadan, but a survey by an NGO, Pattan, found that worshippers were breaching measures on social distancing, masks and disinfection.

Fears for the economy are said to be the main reason for relaxing the lockdown. The IMF and the World Bank have forecast a bleak economic outlook for&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;as it heads toward a major recession.

Pakistan, which has undergone a five-week lockdown, has recorded 26,954 confirmed COVID-19 cases along with 611 deaths.

It recorded its highest single-day increase of 1,523 cases on Thursday. 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistan has lifted the countrywide lockdown and started easing the restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus pandemic, despite the rising in confirmed cases.

Pakistan has lifted the countrywide lockdown and started easing the restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus pandemic, despite the rising in confirmed cases. The decision is being taken because the country's large number of poor people and labourers cannot not afford to live under lockdown any more, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday. Also read: More than 500 repatriated Pakistan nationals test positive "We're deciding that we are ending this lockdown now," Khan said in a televised address. "We know that we're doing it at a time when our curve is going up.... but it is not edging up as we were expecting." Impoverished Pakistanis cannot survive under lockdown any longer, Khan said. "Since we started this lockdown, we had this fear that these people who are daily wagers, who feed their kids on daily earnings, what will happen to them?" he asked. Also read: Pakistan reports record 1,764 new cases in 24 hours; death toll nears 600 He said the shutdown would be lifted in phases and warned people that the disease could get out of control if they didn't take precautions. The government's handling of the virus has been strongly criticised by scientists and doctors who fear the outbreak will gather pace among a population of more than 200 million and overwhelm the country's struggling health system. Planning Minister Asad Umar said that initially small markets and shops would be allowed to open until 5 p.m., although big malls and other spaces which attract large crowds would remain closed for now. A decision to reopen intercity transport and railways will be taken later, while schools will stay closed until July 15, Umar said. Khan said the restrictions could be restored if the outbreak worsens, something his critics expect to happen due to what they describe as a confused policy response to the crisis and capitulation to Islamist clerics. He allowed communal prayers for the holy month of Ramadan, but a survey by an NGO, Pattan, found that worshippers were breaching measures on social distancing, masks and disinfection. Fears for the economy are said to be the main reason for relaxing the lockdown. The IMF and the World Bank have forecast a bleak economic outlook for Pakistan as it heads toward a major recession. Pakistan, which has undergone a five-week lockdown, has recorded 26,954 confirmed COVID-19 cases along with 611 deaths. It recorded its highest single-day increase of 1,523 cases on Thursday.

Pakistan lifts coronavirus lockdown, despite rise in confirmed cases

A top Pakistani Minister has confessed that Prime Minister Imran Khan has to agree to everything that the country's army says. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Imran Khan | From a cricketer to an 'Army puppet'

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan while addressing a meeting of the National Coordination Committee said on Thursday that the coronavirus lockdown in the country will be lifted in phases from Saturday.

Gradual lifting of lockdown from May 9 in Pakistan

More than 500 health care workers including doctors in Pakistan are the worst affected in the coronavirus pandemic. Watch report.

More than 500 health workers infected in Pakistan | COVID-19 Pandemic

Pakistan reported a record 40 deaths due to the coronavirus in the last 24 hours and 1,049 new cases, health officials said on Wednesday.

According to the Ministry of National Health Services, Punjab province reported 8,420 cases, Sindh 8,189, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 3,499, Balochistan 1,495, Islamabad 485, Gilgit-Baltistan 386 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 76 cases.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-formally-applies-for-g-20-debt-relief-296785" hreflang="en">Pakistan formally applies for G-20 debt relief</a>

The ministry said that a record 40 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 526.

The country detected 1,049 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total to 22,413, it said. A total of 6,217 patients have recovered.

So far 232,582 tests were conducted, including 10,178 in the last 24 hours.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/190-pakistanis-stranded-in-india-for-over-two-months-due-to-coronavirus-lockdown-return-home-296839" hreflang="en">190 Pakistanis stranded in India for over two months return home</a>

Undeterred by the mounting number of deaths and new cases, the federal government is pushing for easing the lockdown.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said the nationwide lockdown will be lifted gradually, asserting that Pakistan cannot afford an indefinite closure.

An important meeting of all stakeholders is expected on Wednesday to discuss the issue of lifting some restrictions and allowing more businesses to open up.

Meanwhile, Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said that the train service may begin operations partially from May 10. And initially some 40 trains could be made operational.

The move, however, attracted serious opposition from the Sindh government which warned the Centre against taking any such decision that it feared could cause the further spread of the novel coronavirus.

In a statement, Sindh Transport Minister Awais Shah said the proposed move by the federal government to resume the train service could become another disaster amid serious advice by health experts for social distancing.

Pakistan reported a record 40 deaths due to the coronavirus in the last 24 hours and 1,049 new cases, health officials said on Wednesday. According to the Ministry of National Health Services, Punjab province reported 8,420 cases, Sindh 8,189, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 3,499, Balochistan 1,495, Islamabad 485, Gilgit-Baltistan 386 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 76 cases.

Pakistan reported a record 40 deaths due to the coronavirus in the last 24 hours and 1,049 new cases, health officials said on Wednesday. According to the Ministry of National Health Services, Punjab province reported 8,420 cases, Sindh 8,189, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 3,499, Balochistan 1,495, Islamabad 485, Gilgit-Baltistan 386 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 76 cases. Also read: Pakistan formally applies for G-20 debt relief The ministry said that a record 40 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 526. The country detected 1,049 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total to 22,413, it said. A total of 6,217 patients have recovered. So far 232,582 tests were conducted, including 10,178 in the last 24 hours. Also read: 190 Pakistanis stranded in India for over two months return home Undeterred by the mounting number of deaths and new cases, the federal government is pushing for easing the lockdown. Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said the nationwide lockdown will be lifted gradually, asserting that Pakistan cannot afford an indefinite closure. An important meeting of all stakeholders is expected on Wednesday to discuss the issue of lifting some restrictions and allowing more businesses to open up. Meanwhile, Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said that the train service may begin operations partially from May 10. And initially some 40 trains could be made operational. The move, however, attracted serious opposition from the Sindh government which warned the Centre against taking any such decision that it feared could cause the further spread of the novel coronavirus. In a statement, Sindh Transport Minister Awais Shah said the proposed move by the federal government to resume the train service could become another disaster amid serious advice by health experts for social distancing.

Pakistan reports record 40 deaths in single day, coronavirus cases jump to 22,413

Pakistani Journalist Sajid Hussain who was missing since March had recently found dead in a Sweden river. In 2012, Hussain's house was raided & his laptop was seized.

Pakistani Journalist who was missing since March, found dead in a Sweden river

Pakistani secret agents are using the Aarogya Setu app to spread their&nbsp;nefarious designs target via Indian army personnels, according to the Indian Army.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/aarogya-setu-beats-pokemon-go-record-crosses-50-million-downloads-in-13-days-292605" hreflang="en">Aarogya Setu beats 'Pokémon GO' record, crosses 50 million downloads in 13 Days</a>

As per a&nbsp;warning issued by the Indian Army, ''inimical intelligence agencies have developed a malicious app by the name Aarogya Setu.apk.''

''Such apps were found to be sent by Pakistan-based Pakistani Intelligence Operatives to WhatsApp groups of Indian Army personnel,'' it added.

Pakistani agencies are also using social media accounts with Indian names to target the Indian personnel.

Known Pakistani Intelligence Operative account under the fake name of one ‘Anoshka Chopra’ also found sending the malicious application to Indian Army personnel,” senior army&nbsp;sources said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/new-name-same-old-terror-group-let-becomes-trf-to-save-pak-from-fatf-axe-295640" hreflang="en">New name, same old terror group; LeT becomes TRF to save Pak from FATF axe</a>

The army has cautioned the personnel and highlighted the need to be sensitised about the Pakistani spy agencies’ designs while downloading the application.

It emphasized on downloading the app&nbsp;only from the Indian government website (mygov.in) or Android Play Store or iOS Apple Play Store.

All forces personnel have been asked to download the Aarogya Setu application to help in the detection and checking the spread of COVID-19. The application has been developed by government agencies and is being used by almost all government employees.

Recently, Army Chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane had stated that while India is busy fighting coronavirus both internally and globally, Pakistan is busy in exporting terrorism in India and other places.

Pakistani secret agents are using the Aarogya Setu app to spread their nefarious designs target via Indian army personnels, according to the Indian Army. Also read: Aarogya Setu beats 'Pokémon GO' record, crosses 50 million downloads in 13 Days As per a warning issued by the Indian Army, ''inimical intelligence agencies have developed a malicious app by the name Aarogya Setu.

Pakistani secret agents are using the Aarogya Setu app to spread their nefarious designs target via Indian army personnels, according to the Indian Army. Also read: Aarogya Setu beats 'Pokémon GO' record, crosses 50 million downloads in 13 Days As per a warning issued by the Indian Army, ''inimical intelligence agencies have developed a malicious app by the name Aarogya Setu.apk.'' ''Such apps were found to be sent by Pakistan-based Pakistani Intelligence Operatives to WhatsApp groups of Indian Army personnel,'' it added. Pakistani agencies are also using social media accounts with Indian names to target the Indian personnel. Known Pakistani Intelligence Operative account under the fake name of one ‘Anoshka Chopra’ also found sending the malicious application to Indian Army personnel,” senior army sources said. Also read: New name, same old terror group; LeT becomes TRF to save Pak from FATF axe The army has cautioned the personnel and highlighted the need to be sensitised about the Pakistani spy agencies’ designs while downloading the application. It emphasized on downloading the app only from the Indian government website (mygov.in) or Android Play Store or iOS Apple Play Store. All forces personnel have been asked to download the Aarogya Setu application to help in the detection and checking the spread of COVID-19. The application has been developed by government agencies and is being used by almost all government employees. Recently, Army Chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane had stated that while India is busy fighting coronavirus both internally and globally, Pakistan is busy in exporting terrorism in India and other places.

Aarogya Setu app being misused by Pakistani spies to target Indian military personnel

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's government has decided to delete nearly 4,000 names from its terror watch list to change its image in front of the United Nations Security Council.&nbsp;

A total of 130 names from the &nbsp;UNSC 1267 Sanctions List are from Pakistan, whereas the country has acknowledged only 19 of them including the Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed. Pak government has asked to delist six terrorists.&nbsp;

The government has blamed the UN panel for they could not take action against individuals under UNSC sanction as it had provided 'insufficient information'. Islamabad blamed this while a UNSC monitoring committee team had come for a visit.&nbsp;

The 'insufficient information' explanation for deleting 3,800 names from domestic terror watch-list was similar when the UNSC team arrived for a five-day visit.&nbsp;

In October 2018, Pakistan showed off the same list to the FATF to escape being grey-listed. The list then had 7,600 names to it.&nbsp;

The deletion of names was first noticed by a New-York based tech firm, Castellum AI, it tracks global terror watch list. They said that few names were deleted after October 2018. About 1,069 names were deleted between March 9 to 27 and another 800 were deleted on March 27.

The deletion of the names is seen as desperation to stay out of FATF blacklist as they currently are on the grey list for terror financing. The FATF review meeting for Pakistan has been postponed for four months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's government has decided to delete nearly 4,000 names from its terror watch list to change its image in front of the United Nations Security Council.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's government has decided to delete nearly 4,000 names from its terror watch list to change its image in front of the United Nations Security Council. A total of 130 names from the UNSC 1267 Sanctions List are from Pakistan, whereas the country has acknowledged only 19 of them including the Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed. Pak government has asked to delist six terrorists. The government has blamed the UN panel for they could not take action against individuals under UNSC sanction as it had provided 'insufficient information'. Islamabad blamed this while a UNSC monitoring committee team had come for a visit. The 'insufficient information' explanation for deleting 3,800 names from domestic terror watch-list was similar when the UNSC team arrived for a five-day visit. In October 2018, Pakistan showed off the same list to the FATF to escape being grey-listed. The list then had 7,600 names to it. The deletion of names was first noticed by a New-York based tech firm, Castellum AI, it tracks global terror watch list. They said that few names were deleted after October 2018. About 1,069 names were deleted between March 9 to 27 and another 800 were deleted on March 27. The deletion of the names is seen as desperation to stay out of FATF blacklist as they currently are on the grey list for terror financing. The FATF review meeting for Pakistan has been postponed for four months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

'Insufficient information': Pakistan deletes nearly 4,000 terrorists names

Amid <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/coronavirus-cases-in-pakistan-rise-to-16817-with-385-deaths-296012">coronavirus pandemic</a>, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday stressed on the need of building its own healthcare infrastructure and underlined the need of independence for the country.

Speaking at COMSTECH exhibition in Islamabad, Khan said, "The coronavirus has brought to the fore that Pakistan needs to build its medical infrastructure and reduce dependency on foreign aid".

"We have a dependency syndrome; we don't have that self-belief, we didn’t progress towards the knowledge economy because we didn't spend on education and research. Pakistanis excel once they immigrate; why can't you create that system here?" Khan also said.

"We have to focus on building our medical infrastructure so that we are prepared for any such emergency situation in the future," he added.

COMSTECH is an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation for the promotion and cooperation of science and technology activities among the OIC member states.&nbsp;

Pakistan has a poor medical care system which is ill-equipped to deal with any major outbreak such as coronavirus.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, coronavirus cases in the South Asian nation climbed to 16,817 while the death toll from the pandemic has reached 385.

Amid coronavirus pandemic, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday stressed on the need of building its own healthcare infrastructure and underlined the need of independence for the country.

Amid coronavirus pandemic, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday stressed on the need of building its own healthcare infrastructure and underlined the need of independence for the country. Speaking at COMSTECH exhibition in Islamabad, Khan said, "The coronavirus has brought to the fore that Pakistan needs to build its medical infrastructure and reduce dependency on foreign aid". "We have a dependency syndrome; we don't have that self-belief, we didn’t progress towards the knowledge economy because we didn't spend on education and research. Pakistanis excel once they immigrate; why can't you create that system here?" Khan also said. "We have to focus on building our medical infrastructure so that we are prepared for any such emergency situation in the future," he added. COMSTECH is an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation for the promotion and cooperation of science and technology activities among the OIC member states. Pakistan has a poor medical care system which is ill-equipped to deal with any major outbreak such as coronavirus. Meanwhile, coronavirus cases in the South Asian nation climbed to 16,817 while the death toll from the pandemic has reached 385.

Pakistan: Need to build medical infrastructure and reduce dependency on foreign aid, says PM Imran Khan

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran and his aides on Thursday reiterated that the coronavirus situation in Pakistan is ''not bad'' even as the number of confirmed cases in the country exceed 16,000.

Addressing a news briefing along with his aides in Islamabad, the premier said the number of cases in the country are&nbsp;"lower than feared".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/paks-sindh-govt-seeks-early-hearing-of-plea-against-provincial-hc-order-in-daniel-pearl-case-295814" hreflang="en">Pak's Sindh govt seeks early hearing of plea against provincial HC order in Daniel Pearl case</a>

He also said that he "thought that our intensive care units (ICUs) would be filled by now but that is not the case".

On being questioned about lifting the lockdown in the country, Imran Khan said&nbsp;that easing of the lockdown after May 9 depended on whether people were following the restrictions and social distancing measures.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/new-name-same-old-terror-group-let-becomes-trf-to-save-pak-from-fatf-axe-295640" hreflang="en">New name, same old terror group; LeT becomes TRF to save Pak from FATF axe</a>

Echoing the Pakistan PM's sentiments, the Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar assured that the country's coronavirus situation is ''not out of control''.

Comparing Pakistan's situation to neighbouring Iran which has been badly affected by the virus, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said that Pakistan was "comparatively better off".

Pakistan has recorded 16,329 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which Sindh and Punjab alone have recorded more than 6,000 cases.

20 fatalities, 12 in Sindh and 8 in Punjab, have taken the country's death toll to 361.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran and his aides on Thursday reiterated that the coronavirus situation in Pakistan is ''not bad'' even as the number of confirmed cases in the country exceed 16,000.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran and his aides on Thursday reiterated that the coronavirus situation in Pakistan is ''not bad'' even as the number of confirmed cases in the country exceed 16,000. Addressing a news briefing along with his aides in Islamabad, the premier said the number of cases in the country are "lower than feared". Also read: Pak's Sindh govt seeks early hearing of plea against provincial HC order in Daniel Pearl case He also said that he "thought that our intensive care units (ICUs) would be filled by now but that is not the case". On being questioned about lifting the lockdown in the country, Imran Khan said that easing of the lockdown after May 9 depended on whether people were following the restrictions and social distancing measures. Also read: New name, same old terror group; LeT becomes TRF to save Pak from FATF axe Echoing the Pakistan PM's sentiments, the Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar assured that the country's coronavirus situation is ''not out of control''. Comparing Pakistan's situation to neighbouring Iran which has been badly affected by the virus, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said that Pakistan was "comparatively better off". Pakistan has recorded 16,329 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which Sindh and Punjab alone have recorded more than 6,000 cases. 20 fatalities, 12 in Sindh and 8 in Punjab, have taken the country's death toll to 361.

Imran Khan reiterates 'coronavirus situation not bad in Pakistan' even as cases exceed 16,000

In a televised fundraiser, a top Pakistani cleric blamed the Coronavirus pandemic on 'scantily dressed women'. Instead of rebuking the cleric, the Pak PM shifted blame and accused Bollywood of corrupting Pakistan's youth.

Gravitas: Coronavirus: Pakistan's misogyny in the face of death

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has fired his special aide on I&amp;B and replaced her with a powerful former military spokesman as he revamped his media team for the second time since coming to power amidst mounting criticism for failing to address key issues including the COVID-19 outbreak.

Former Army spokesman Lt Gen (retied) Asim Saleem Bajwa, who is also the chairman of the newly-created China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority, has replaced Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan as the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for information and broadcasting.

Bajwa was the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, from 2012 to 2016 when General Raheel Sharif was the Army chief, and served as the commander of the southern command before his retirement last year.

Bajwa was credited for making Sharif a larger than life figure and transforming the working of the ISPR.

Prime Minister Khan also appointed Senator Shibli Faraz as the new information minister. Faraz is the son of eminent Urdu poet late Ahmad Faraz.

Minister for Science, Fawad Chaudhry, who was the first information minister of Khan, made the announcement of the new appointments.

"Truly an honourable and dignified man @shiblifaraz has been appointed new Information minister of Pak, and brilliant @AsimSBajwa appointed SAPM on info both 'll make a great team.... All the best," Chaudhry said in a tweet.

The changes were made to blunt the perception that the media handling of the government was not good and its work was not being properly highlighted amidst the massive health crisis due to the coronavirus outbreak.

However, many analysts still wonder how the new team would deliver until the common people feel the benefit of the steps taken by the government.

"The way these changes have been made will not give a good impression and help the cause of the government," analyst Ayaz Amir told Dunya TV.

The Pakistan government has also faced criticism for its delayed reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pakistan has 14,079 coronavirus cases while the death toll from the pandemic has crossed the 300 mark, the health ministry said.

Khan was sworn in as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan in August 2018.&nbsp;

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has fired his special aide on I&B and replaced her with a powerful former military spokesman as he revamped his media team for the second time since coming to power amidst mounting criticism for failing to address key issues including the COVID-19 outbreak.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has fired his special aide on I&B and replaced her with a powerful former military spokesman as he revamped his media team for the second time since coming to power amidst mounting criticism for failing to address key issues including the COVID-19 outbreak. Former Army spokesman Lt Gen (retied) Asim Saleem Bajwa, who is also the chairman of the newly-created China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority, has replaced Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan as the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for information and broadcasting. Bajwa was the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, from 2012 to 2016 when General Raheel Sharif was the Army chief, and served as the commander of the southern command before his retirement last year. Bajwa was credited for making Sharif a larger than life figure and transforming the working of the ISPR. Prime Minister Khan also appointed Senator Shibli Faraz as the new information minister. Faraz is the son of eminent Urdu poet late Ahmad Faraz. Minister for Science, Fawad Chaudhry, who was the first information minister of Khan, made the announcement of the new appointments. "Truly an honourable and dignified man @shiblifaraz has been appointed new Information minister of Pak, and brilliant @AsimSBajwa appointed SAPM on info both 'll make a great team.... All the best," Chaudhry said in a tweet. The changes were made to blunt the perception that the media handling of the government was not good and its work was not being properly highlighted amidst the massive health crisis due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, many analysts still wonder how the new team would deliver until the common people feel the benefit of the steps taken by the government. "The way these changes have been made will not give a good impression and help the cause of the government," analyst Ayaz Amir told Dunya TV. The Pakistan government has also faced criticism for its delayed reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pakistan has 14,079 coronavirus cases while the death toll from the pandemic has crossed the 300 mark, the health ministry said. Khan was sworn in as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan in August 2018.

Imran cracks whip on media team, ropes in ex-Army spokesman amidst growing criticism

Pakistan on Saturday celebrated the country's first day of the holy month of Ramzan amid the coronavirus outbreak. A massive surge of coronavirus infections threatens the country, but PM Imran Khan earlier gave permission to worshippers for daily prayers and evening congregations on account of Ramzan. However, the country's powerful military urged people to pray at home, warning the "next 15 days are crucial".&nbsp;

So far, the only effective way to avoid COVID-19 is social distancing as scientists are still struggling to find a vaccine. And religious gatherings could be a major source of transmission. This argument was agreed by the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) too who said that mosques are becoming a major source of the spread of the virus.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/imran-khans-government-authorises-army-to-take-over-in-case-of-lockdown-violations-294830">Imran Khan's government authorises army to take over in case of lockdown violations</a>

"Mosques are becoming a major source of virus transmission," PIMA President Iftikhar Burney said at a press conference on Saturday, reported IANS.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/coronavirus-pandemic-gods-wrath-for-obscenity-nudity-pak-cleric-294784">Coronavirus pandemic God's wrath for obscenity, nudity: Pak cleric</a>

The new&nbsp;relaxations announced by Imran Khan-government for opening of mosques have certain conditions, which include people to maintain a metre of distance among each other, carrying their own prayer mats, among others.&nbsp;

But Burney doesn't think that this is the right approach. &nbsp;

"We will not be able to keep people inside their homes under a smart lockdown for a longer period of time," he said.&nbsp;

The doctor said tough measures were needed to contain the spread of the coronavirus.&nbsp;

Apart from PIMA, Pakistan Medical Association, also opposed the measure.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
"There is no point in opening mosques. I ask people to pray at home and celebrate the end of the daily fast at home," Qaiser Sajjad, secretary-general of the Pakistan Medical Association, said on Friday.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Pakistan on Saturday celebrated the country's first day of the holy month of Ramzan amid the coronavirus outbreak. A massive surge of coronavirus infections threatens the country, but PM Imran Khan earlier gave permission to worshippers for daily prayers and evening congregations on account of Ramzan.

Pakistan on Saturday celebrated the country's first day of the holy month of Ramzan amid the coronavirus outbreak. A massive surge of coronavirus infections threatens the country, but PM Imran Khan earlier gave permission to worshippers for daily prayers and evening congregations on account of Ramzan. However, the country's powerful military urged people to pray at home, warning the "next 15 days are crucial". So far, the only effective way to avoid COVID-19 is social distancing as scientists are still struggling to find a vaccine. And religious gatherings could be a major source of transmission. This argument was agreed by the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) too who said that mosques are becoming a major source of the spread of the virus. Also read | Imran Khan's government authorises army to take over in case of lockdown violations "Mosques are becoming a major source of virus transmission," PIMA President Iftikhar Burney said at a press conference on Saturday, reported IANS. Also read | Coronavirus pandemic God's wrath for obscenity, nudity: Pak cleric The new relaxations announced by Imran Khan-government for opening of mosques have certain conditions, which include people to maintain a metre of distance among each other, carrying their own prayer mats, among others. But Burney doesn't think that this is the right approach. "We will not be able to keep people inside their homes under a smart lockdown for a longer period of time," he said. The doctor said tough measures were needed to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Apart from PIMA, Pakistan Medical Association, also opposed the measure. "There is no point in opening mosques. I ask people to pray at home and celebrate the end of the daily fast at home," Qaiser Sajjad, secretary-general of the Pakistan Medical Association, said on Friday.

Mosques becoming a major source of transmission: Pakistan health expert

The Pakistan government has authorised the Pakistan army to take over if the public violates lockdown rules. The order has been issued specifically keeping in mind the&nbsp;business community and religious clerics. The decision has been taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The decision came out after a meeting that took place at the ISI Headquarters in Rawalpindi on April 23. The meeting was attended by Imran Khan, COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, DG-ISI Lt. Gen Faiz Hameed, some of the Cabinet ministers and advisors. The motive of the meeting was to discuss the tense situation in the country and to plan counter measures in case of emergencies.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-mosques-could-close-forever-due-to-coronavirus-lockdown-says-muslim-council-of-britain-294493">Also read:&nbsp;UK mosques could close forever due to coronavirus lockdown, says Muslim Council of Britain</a>

This is not the first time Imran Khan has been overpowered by the country's army. On March 22, Prime Minister addressed the nation and explained his reasons for not imposing a complete lockdown, stating that a lot of people would lose their jobs. However, few hours later&nbsp;Pakistan Army spokesperson Major General Babar Iftikhar announced a complete lockdown. Following the announcement, military was deployed in the country&nbsp;an was seen handling the COVID-19 response through the National Core Committee, a body set up to coordinate policy between the national and provincial governments.

However, business community and religious clerics have claimed they will continue to operate their day-to-day life normal.&nbsp;According to sources, it was agreed in principle during the meeting that police, rangers and even troops can be used to maintain law and order if the business community and religious clerics attempt to cross their limit and violate the lockdown instructions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/ramzan-amitabh-bachchan-sonam-kapoor-others-wish-fans-urge-people-to-stay-at-home-294517">Also read:&nbsp;Ramzan: Amitabh Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor &amp; others wish fans, urge people to stay at home</a>

Ramazan is an important month for the Muslim community all over the world. While the community is doing its best to stay indoors and celebrate from their homes, the situation seems to be tense in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Several violators were reportedly arrested in Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and other cities on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

"The situation will worsen soon if the government would not ease its restrictions since poor people are very frustrated of not getting food and other basic amenities," the sources said, adding "government system is not effective".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-to-keep-mosques-open-during-ramadan-coronavirus-outbreak-294348">Also read:&nbsp;Pakistan to keep mosques open during Ramadan | Coronavirus Outbreak</a>

Total number of reported positive coronavirus cases have risen to&nbsp;12,723 with a death toll of 269. However, several questions have been raised on whether the actual number is as reported. The Pakistan government, following the figures, extended the lockdown till May 09.

The health officials of the country have been staging protests for weeks claiming that the&nbsp;hospitals are suffering from acute&nbsp;shortage&nbsp;of safety gear.

"Overall circumstances are not short of civilian disobedience if the government does not relax its strict measures to maintain lockdown effectively, it will face a difficult position," sources said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-reject-afghan-ceasefire-offer-during-ramadan-294562">Also read:&nbsp;Taliban reject Afghan ceasefire offer during Ramadan</a>

Dismissing reports of having made a vaccine for coronavirus, Advisor on Health Zafar Mirza informed the media that there is no coronavirus vaccine presently

“Let me clarify that while there are several initiatives to develop vaccines across the world, there is no such initiative in Pakistan at the moment," he said.

However, he confirmed the reports of a Chinese and Japanese manufacturer contacting the country for developing a vaccine.&nbsp;“We have asked for more information from them," Mirza said.

The Pakistan government has authorised the Pakistan army to take over if the public violates lockdown rules. The order has been issued specifically keeping in mind the business community and religious clerics.

The Pakistan government has authorised the Pakistan army to take over if the public violates lockdown rules. The order has been issued specifically keeping in mind the business community and religious clerics. The decision has been taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan to contain the spread of coronavirus. The decision came out after a meeting that took place at the ISI Headquarters in Rawalpindi on April 23. The meeting was attended by Imran Khan, COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, DG-ISI Lt. Gen Faiz Hameed, some of the Cabinet ministers and advisors. The motive of the meeting was to discuss the tense situation in the country and to plan counter measures in case of emergencies. Also read: UK mosques could close forever due to coronavirus lockdown, says Muslim Council of Britain This is not the first time Imran Khan has been overpowered by the country's army. On March 22, Prime Minister addressed the nation and explained his reasons for not imposing a complete lockdown, stating that a lot of people would lose their jobs. However, few hours later Pakistan Army spokesperson Major General Babar Iftikhar announced a complete lockdown. Following the announcement, military was deployed in the country an was seen handling the COVID-19 response through the National Core Committee, a body set up to coordinate policy between the national and provincial governments. However, business community and religious clerics have claimed they will continue to operate their day-to-day life normal. According to sources, it was agreed in principle during the meeting that police, rangers and even troops can be used to maintain law and order if the business community and religious clerics attempt to cross their limit and violate the lockdown instructions. Also read: Ramzan: Amitabh Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor & others wish fans, urge people to stay at home Ramazan is an important month for the Muslim community all over the world. While the community is doing its best to stay indoors and celebrate from their homes, the situation seems to be tense in Pakistan. Several violators were reportedly arrested in Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and other cities on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan. "The situation will worsen soon if the government would not ease its restrictions since poor people are very frustrated of not getting food and other basic amenities," the sources said, adding "government system is not effective". Also read: Pakistan to keep mosques open during Ramadan | Coronavirus Outbreak Total number of reported positive coronavirus cases have risen to 12,723 with a death toll of 269. However, several questions have been raised on whether the actual number is as reported. The Pakistan government, following the figures, extended the lockdown till May 09. The health officials of the country have been staging protests for weeks claiming that the hospitals are suffering from acute shortage of safety gear. "Overall circumstances are not short of civilian disobedience if the government does not relax its strict measures to maintain lockdown effectively, it will face a difficult position," sources said. Also read: Taliban reject Afghan ceasefire offer during Ramadan Dismissing reports of having made a vaccine for coronavirus, Advisor on Health Zafar Mirza informed the media that there is no coronavirus vaccine presently “Let me clarify that while there are several initiatives to develop vaccines across the world, there is no such initiative in Pakistan at the moment," he said. However, he confirmed the reports of a Chinese and Japanese manufacturer contacting the country for developing a vaccine. “We have asked for more information from them," Mirza said.

Imran Khan's government authorises army to take over in case of lockdown violations

imran-khan

Imran Khan, News on Imran Khan, stories on Imran Khan, articles on Imran Khan, Imran Khan stories at Wion, Imran Khan news, Imran Khan latest news

imran khan