There are "clear early signs" of a fourth COVID-19 wave starting in Pakistan due to poor compliance with the standard operating procedures and the spread of the Delta variant, Minister for Planning Asad Umar said on Friday.

Umar, who is also the head of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) to combat COVID-19, said field reports were showing a complete disregard for the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and warned that the government would be forced to shut down wedding halls, indoor restaurants and gyms if they ignored the rules.

"Two weeks ago, I tweeted that our artificial intelligence models are showing the possible emergence of a fourth wave. Now there are clear early signs of a fourth wave starting," he said in a tweet.

He cited poor SOP compliance by the people and the spread of COVID-19 variants, including the Delta variant, first identified in India, as reasons for the fourth wave in Pakistan.

<iframe allow="conversion-measurement" data-google-container-id="2" data-load-complete="true" frameborder="0" height="1" id="google_ads_iframe_/8323530/ITV_Desktop_Article_1x1_Inarticle_0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="google_ads_iframe_/8323530/ITV_Desktop_Article_1x1_Inarticle_0" scrolling="no" srcdoc="" title="3rd party ad content" width="1"></iframe>The NCOC, the nerve centre of Pakistan's coronavirus response, has previously confirmed the presence of different variants of coronavirus in Pakistan, including the Delta variant, Beta variant that was first detected in South Africa, and the Alpha variant that was discovered in the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Pakistan recorded 1,737 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours which was the highest since 1,923 cases recorded on June 4.

Pakistan recorded 663 cases on June 21 which marked the end of the third wave that hit the country in March and peaked on April 17 with 6,127 new cases.

Last year Pakistan battled two waves of the pandemic. Umar’s tweet came a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan in a video message issued a similar warning about the looming threat of a new wave and urged people to follow the guidelines.

Meanwhile, the national tally of confirmed cases reached 969,476 while the death toll touched 22,520, according to the Ministry of National Health Services.

There are "clear early signs" of a fourth COVID-19 wave starting in Pakistan due to poor compliance with the standard operating procedures and the spread of the Delta variant, Minister for Planning Asad Umar said on Friday.

There are "clear early signs" of a fourth COVID-19 wave starting in Pakistan due to poor compliance with the standard operating procedures and the spread of the Delta variant, Minister for Planning Asad Umar said on Friday. Umar, who is also the head of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) to combat COVID-19, said field reports were showing a complete disregard for the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and warned that the government would be forced to shut down wedding halls, indoor restaurants and gyms if they ignored the rules. "Two weeks ago, I tweeted that our artificial intelligence models are showing the possible emergence of a fourth wave. Now there are clear early signs of a fourth wave starting," he said in a tweet. He cited poor SOP compliance by the people and the spread of COVID-19 variants, including the Delta variant, first identified in India, as reasons for the fourth wave in Pakistan. The NCOC, the nerve centre of Pakistan's coronavirus response, has previously confirmed the presence of different variants of coronavirus in Pakistan, including the Delta variant, Beta variant that was first detected in South Africa, and the Alpha variant that was discovered in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, Pakistan recorded 1,737 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours which was the highest since 1,923 cases recorded on June 4. Pakistan recorded 663 cases on June 21 which marked the end of the third wave that hit the country in March and peaked on April 17 with 6,127 new cases. Last year Pakistan battled two waves of the pandemic. Umar’s tweet came a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan in a video message issued a similar warning about the looming threat of a new wave and urged people to follow the guidelines. Meanwhile, the national tally of confirmed cases reached 969,476 while the death toll touched 22,520, according to the Ministry of National Health Services.

Clear early signs of fourth COVID-19 wave starting in Pakistan: Minister

The Pakistani government is facing double trouble as hospital beds are filling up amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country and the vaccination program is progressing at a slow rate due to delayed deliveries and limited supplies.

Pakistan, which began its vaccination drive against COVID-19 in February, has failed to smoothly run the exercise as only one million people have been vaccinated so far. A huge percentage of the country's 238 million residents are still left waiting for the vaccine, according to official figures.

The country has so far reported 7,30,000 COVID-19 cases and 15,619 related deaths.

The government has received 2.56 million doses of vaccines, all from China, according to local reports citing the health ministry, as per CNN.

Pakistan has only approved a handful of vaccines for emergency use, including three Chinese vaccines, Russia's Sputnik V, and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. So far, it has largely relied on donations from other countries -- chiefly China, which has provided more than a million doses of Sinopharm.

Pakistan is still awaiting more than 17 million doses of vaccines allocated by COVAX, a global vaccine-sharing initiative with discounted or free doses for lower-income countries.

Last month, Pakistan became one of the few countries to allow the private sector to import and sell vaccines.

Thousands of Pakistanis rushed to COVID-19 vaccination sites to get inoculated in the first round of commercial sales of Sputnik V vaccines.

Though the vaccine is available for all, it is expensive. The Sputnik vaccine currently costs 12,000 Pakistani rupees ($80) for two doses, according to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), CNN reported.

That's four times the international market price, which is less than USD 20 for two doses, according to the vaccine developers. And it's about 30 per cent of an average household's monthly income, at $273.2 (41,545 rupees), according to the most recent available data by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

"The selling of this vaccine is just unethical and too bad for the community," said Dr Tipu Sultan, former head of the Pakistan Medical Association. "Only a few moneyed people are going to buy it. The bulk of the population cannot afford it."

But the process of getting a privately sold shot has numerous complications, even for those who can afford it.

"I'm super frustrated because I have to travel for work, and I'm unable to get my vaccine," said Maha Mussadaq, a content lead at Foodpanda Thailand, who has been stranded in Islamabad. She tried all week to sign up for the vaccine, but has not been able to confirm a time slot, she said. She went online to register, and was told she would receive a phone call with more details, but was given no indication of when it might come.

"There's no system in place, and there's no definition of a timeline," she said. All of her travel plans for work are dependent on whether she can get the first dose, but with news of the vaccine selling out, she is quickly losing hope of that happening.

Even those who have received the first shot are unsure whether they would be getting the second and final shot or not.

"I'm afraid there's no guarantee that we'll get the second dose, what if supplies run out?" said Anushka Jatoi. "There's a lot of uncertainty."&nbsp;

The Pakistani government is facing double trouble as hospital beds are filling up amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country and the vaccination program is progressing at a slow rate due to delayed deliveries and limited supplies.

The Pakistani government is facing double trouble as hospital beds are filling up amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country and the vaccination program is progressing at a slow rate due to delayed deliveries and limited supplies. Pakistan, which began its vaccination drive against COVID-19 in February, has failed to smoothly run the exercise as only one million people have been vaccinated so far. A huge percentage of the country's 238 million residents are still left waiting for the vaccine, according to official figures. The country has so far reported 7,30,000 COVID-19 cases and 15,619 related deaths. The government has received 2.56 million doses of vaccines, all from China, according to local reports citing the health ministry, as per CNN. Pakistan has only approved a handful of vaccines for emergency use, including three Chinese vaccines, Russia's Sputnik V, and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. So far, it has largely relied on donations from other countries -- chiefly China, which has provided more than a million doses of Sinopharm. Pakistan is still awaiting more than 17 million doses of vaccines allocated by COVAX, a global vaccine-sharing initiative with discounted or free doses for lower-income countries. Last month, Pakistan became one of the few countries to allow the private sector to import and sell vaccines. Thousands of Pakistanis rushed to COVID-19 vaccination sites to get inoculated in the first round of commercial sales of Sputnik V vaccines. Though the vaccine is available for all, it is expensive. The Sputnik vaccine currently costs 12,000 Pakistani rupees ($80) for two doses, according to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), CNN reported. That's four times the international market price, which is less than USD 20 for two doses, according to the vaccine developers. And it's about 30 per cent of an average household's monthly income, at $273.2 (41,545 rupees), according to the most recent available data by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. "The selling of this vaccine is just unethical and too bad for the community," said Dr Tipu Sultan, former head of the Pakistan Medical Association. "Only a few moneyed people are going to buy it. The bulk of the population cannot afford it." But the process of getting a privately sold shot has numerous complications, even for those who can afford it. "I'm super frustrated because I have to travel for work, and I'm unable to get my vaccine," said Maha Mussadaq, a content lead at Foodpanda Thailand, who has been stranded in Islamabad. She tried all week to sign up for the vaccine, but has not been able to confirm a time slot, she said. She went online to register, and was told she would receive a phone call with more details, but was given no indication of when it might come. "There's no system in place, and there's no definition of a timeline," she said. All of her travel plans for work are dependent on whether she can get the first dose, but with news of the vaccine selling out, she is quickly losing hope of that happening. Even those who have received the first shot are unsure whether they would be getting the second and final shot or not. "I'm afraid there's no guarantee that we'll get the second dose, what if supplies run out?" said Anushka Jatoi. "There's a lot of uncertainty."

COVID-19: Pakistanis forced to opt for expensive jabs from private markets amid slow govt vaccination drive

The coronavirus disease has severely affected Pakistan’s healthcare system and the situation is worse than last year, a senior official of the Pakistan government revealed.

Pakistan’s death toll surged to 15,619 on Tuesday as the country reported over 100 deaths in the last 24 hours.

In Lahore, several hospitals have almost run out of oxygen supply due to a rise in the number of coronavirus cases.

According to a report of Geo News, there are about 1,100 coronavirus patients in various government hospitals of Lahore who need oxygen, while almost 250 patients are put on a ventilator.&nbsp;

"The situation is bad and hospitals are utilising the available oxygen but if cylinders are not supplied to the hospitals within the next two or three hours, the situation will take a turn for the worse," said Mayo Hospital's Chief Executive in charge of coronavirus wards, Dr Asad Aslam.

Moreover, government hospitals in Lahore is almost out of oxygen supply as protesters blocked roads across Pakistan, reported Geo News.

Residents of various cities were stuck in traffic jams today as a religious party held its protest in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, and other cities.

Meanwhile, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and Secretary Health Punjab Nabeel Awan appealed to protesters of a religious party, who have blocked the roads, to cooperate with the authorities so that oxygen cylinders could be delivered to government hospitals in a timely fashion.

Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan had recorded the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a single day in the current year.

According to Pakistan's National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), a total of 114 people died from COVID-19 on Saturday. This was the sixth time in a row that the coronavirus induced deaths crossed the 100 mark in a single day.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The coronavirus disease has severely affected Pakistan’s healthcare system and the situation is worse than last year, a senior official of the Pakistan government revealed.

The coronavirus disease has severely affected Pakistan’s healthcare system and the situation is worse than last year, a senior official of the Pakistan government revealed. Pakistan’s death toll surged to 15,619 on Tuesday as the country reported over 100 deaths in the last 24 hours. In Lahore, several hospitals have almost run out of oxygen supply due to a rise in the number of coronavirus cases. According to a report of Geo News, there are about 1,100 coronavirus patients in various government hospitals of Lahore who need oxygen, while almost 250 patients are put on a ventilator. "The situation is bad and hospitals are utilising the available oxygen but if cylinders are not supplied to the hospitals within the next two or three hours, the situation will take a turn for the worse," said Mayo Hospital's Chief Executive in charge of coronavirus wards, Dr Asad Aslam. Moreover, government hospitals in Lahore is almost out of oxygen supply as protesters blocked roads across Pakistan, reported Geo News. Residents of various cities were stuck in traffic jams today as a religious party held its protest in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, and other cities. Meanwhile, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and Secretary Health Punjab Nabeel Awan appealed to protesters of a religious party, who have blocked the roads, to cooperate with the authorities so that oxygen cylinders could be delivered to government hospitals in a timely fashion. Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan had recorded the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a single day in the current year. According to Pakistan's National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), a total of 114 people died from COVID-19 on Saturday. This was the sixth time in a row that the coronavirus induced deaths crossed the 100 mark in a single day. (With inputs from agencies)

Hospitals in Lahore almost out of oxygen supply amid rising COVID-19 cases

Pakistan has approved the emergency use of the third Chinese vaccine, despite its low efficacy rate, as the country struggled to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) on Thursday granted Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) to CoronaVac, developed by Chinese company Sinovac Biotech, officials said on Saturday.

"This is the third Chinese vaccine allowed to be used in Pakistan," a DRAP official said, adding that the country now has five approved COVID vaccines.

Pakistan has already granted the EUA to China's two-dose Sinopharm and single-dose Convidecia vaccine developed by the Cansino Biologicals Inc. UK's AstraZeneca and Russian Sputnik V vaccines have also been approved by the DRAP.

So far, Sinopharm vaccines are being administered in most of the government hospitals, while the majority of private sector hospitals are giving Sputnik shots.

The newly approved CoronaVac vaccine has reportedly low efficacy rate, but the government allowed its emergency use to broaden its vaccination drive which remains low. The vaccination drive began on February 2. However, only a little over one million doses have been administered so far.

According to a Geo News report, the CoronaVac vaccine, despite its low efficacy rate was allowed by the health authorities to counter the third wave of the pandemic in Pakistan. The CoronaVac vaccine is already being used in China, Turkey, Indonesia, Brazil and the Middle East. The approval of the new vaccine came as the number of coronavirus cases continues to pile up in the country.

With the detection of 5,139 new cases in the last 24 hours, the nationwide coronavirus tally now stands at 715,968, according to the health ministry. The death toll reached 15,329 with 100 more patients succumbing to the viral infection overnight, it said, adding that some 4,204 patients are in a critical condition.

The positivity rate was also high at 10.47 per cent, the ministry said.

Pakistan has approved the emergency use of the third Chinese vaccine, despite its low efficacy rate, as the country struggled to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Pakistan has approved the emergency use of the third Chinese vaccine, despite its low efficacy rate, as the country struggled to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) on Thursday granted Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) to CoronaVac, developed by Chinese company Sinovac Biotech, officials said on Saturday. "This is the third Chinese vaccine allowed to be used in Pakistan," a DRAP official said, adding that the country now has five approved COVID vaccines. Pakistan has already granted the EUA to China's two-dose Sinopharm and single-dose Convidecia vaccine developed by the Cansino Biologicals Inc. UK's AstraZeneca and Russian Sputnik V vaccines have also been approved by the DRAP. So far, Sinopharm vaccines are being administered in most of the government hospitals, while the majority of private sector hospitals are giving Sputnik shots. The newly approved CoronaVac vaccine has reportedly low efficacy rate, but the government allowed its emergency use to broaden its vaccination drive which remains low. The vaccination drive began on February 2. However, only a little over one million doses have been administered so far. According to a Geo News report, the CoronaVac vaccine, despite its low efficacy rate was allowed by the health authorities to counter the third wave of the pandemic in Pakistan. The CoronaVac vaccine is already being used in China, Turkey, Indonesia, Brazil and the Middle East. The approval of the new vaccine came as the number of coronavirus cases continues to pile up in the country. With the detection of 5,139 new cases in the last 24 hours, the nationwide coronavirus tally now stands at 715,968, according to the health ministry. The death toll reached 15,329 with 100 more patients succumbing to the viral infection overnight, it said, adding that some 4,204 patients are in a critical condition. The positivity rate was also high at 10.47 per cent, the ministry said.

Pakistan approves emergency use of third Chinese COVID-19 vaccine despite low efficacy rate

Pakistan is not planning to buy <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">vaccines </a>anytime soon as it aims to tackle the COVID-19 challenge through herd immunity and donated vaccines from friendly countries like China, authorities have said.

So far, four <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccines</a>: Sinophram (China), Oxford-AstraZeneca (UK), Sputnik-V (Russia) and Cansino Bio (China) have been registered in the country.

National Health Service (NHS) Secretary Amir Ashraf Khawaja while briefing the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday said that the Pakistan government has no plan to buy vaccines anytime soon and aims to tackle the COVID-19 health challenge through herd immunity and donated vaccines, Dawn newspaper reported.

Watch |&nbsp;

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Herd immunity occurs when a large number of people, usually 70 to 90 per cent, become immune to a contagious disease after being infected to it.

According to the National Institute of Health Executive Director Maj Gen Aamir Aamer Ikram, the cost of a single dose of Chinese vaccine Cansino is USD 13. He said Pakistan was relying on international donors and friendly countries like China.

The NHS secretary informed the PAC that Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharm had committed to providing one million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, saying that 0.5 million doses had been handed over to Pakistan, out of which around 275,000 doses had been administered to health professionals dealing with COVID-19 patients.

He said the second phase would cover the health officials working in other hospitals and health facilities, adding that the people aged 65 years and above could also register themselves for vaccination.

He said Pakistan has planned to vaccinate 70 million people this year.

According to the NHS secretary, Pakistan will also get 16 million free doses of India-made Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine through Gavi that would give cover to 20 per cent of the population of Pakistan.

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) is a public-private global health partnership with the goal of increasing access to immunisation in poor countries.

In response to a question by PAC Chairman Rana Tanveer Hussain, the NHS secretary said Pakistan would get the first batch of AstraZeneca vaccine made by Serum Institute of India by the middle of March and the rest was expected to arrive in the country by June.

According to him, vaccination to the aged people was due to start by March 5; however, the consignment was delayed.

He said that another Chinese company had conducted the phase-three trial of Cansino vaccine in Pakistan, adding that total 18,000 people were inoculated and the vaccine's efficacy stood at 85 per cent.

According to the NHS secretary, the ministry had conducted a survey in June 2020 to ascertain the figures of those who have developed antibodies against coronavirus. He said the survey disclosed that around 15 per cent of the population has developed antibodies and that they did not need to be immunised.

The PAC chairman pointed out that some people had some reservations over side effects of the vaccine and suggested that the top leadership of the country should get inoculated first to remove doubts in the general public's mind.

In response to a question by Hina Rabbani Khar, the NHS secretary said that despite the government's offer to the private sector to buy the vaccine, no serious buyers had so far come forward.

According to him, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan has so far received applications only from three companies for the import of vaccines, but their applications have been rejected because they did not give any detail and specification of the vaccines they intended to import.

Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has gone up by around 30 per cent since the announcement of relaxation in restrictions, the report said.

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), a representative body of health professionals, has urged the government to immediately impose the restrictions to avoid chances of a third wave of the virus.

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) data showed that there were 1,176 cases on February 27 and 1,163 on March 1, but the number suddenly surged to 1,388 on March 2 and reached 1,519 on Thursday.

Pakistan reported 52 COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours as the number of positive cases surged to 587,014. The nationwide tally of fatalities jumped to 13,128 on Friday.

According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 1,579 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Pakistan is not planning to buy vaccines anytime soon as it aims to tackle the COVID-19 challenge through herd immunity and donated vaccines from friendly countries like China, authorities have said.

Pakistan is not planning to buy vaccines anytime soon as it aims to tackle the COVID-19 challenge through herd immunity and donated vaccines from friendly countries like China, authorities have said. So far, four vaccines: Sinophram (China), Oxford-AstraZeneca (UK), Sputnik-V (Russia) and Cansino Bio (China) have been registered in the country. National Health Service (NHS) Secretary Amir Ashraf Khawaja while briefing the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday said that the Pakistan government has no plan to buy vaccines anytime soon and aims to tackle the COVID-19 health challenge through herd immunity and donated vaccines, Dawn newspaper reported. Watch | Herd immunity occurs when a large number of people, usually 70 to 90 per cent, become immune to a contagious disease after being infected to it. According to the National Institute of Health Executive Director Maj Gen Aamir Aamer Ikram, the cost of a single dose of Chinese vaccine Cansino is USD 13. He said Pakistan was relying on international donors and friendly countries like China. The NHS secretary informed the PAC that Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharm had committed to providing one million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, saying that 0.5 million doses had been handed over to Pakistan, out of which around 275,000 doses had been administered to health professionals dealing with COVID-19 patients. He said the second phase would cover the health officials working in other hospitals and health facilities, adding that the people aged 65 years and above could also register themselves for vaccination. He said Pakistan has planned to vaccinate 70 million people this year. According to the NHS secretary, Pakistan will also get 16 million free doses of India-made Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine through Gavi that would give cover to 20 per cent of the population of Pakistan. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) is a public-private global health partnership with the goal of increasing access to immunisation in poor countries. In response to a question by PAC Chairman Rana Tanveer Hussain, the NHS secretary said Pakistan would get the first batch of AstraZeneca vaccine made by Serum Institute of India by the middle of March and the rest was expected to arrive in the country by June. According to him, vaccination to the aged people was due to start by March 5; however, the consignment was delayed. He said that another Chinese company had conducted the phase-three trial of Cansino vaccine in Pakistan, adding that total 18,000 people were inoculated and the vaccine's efficacy stood at 85 per cent. According to the NHS secretary, the ministry had conducted a survey in June 2020 to ascertain the figures of those who have developed antibodies against coronavirus. He said the survey disclosed that around 15 per cent of the population has developed antibodies and that they did not need to be immunised. The PAC chairman pointed out that some people had some reservations over side effects of the vaccine and suggested that the top leadership of the country should get inoculated first to remove doubts in the general public's mind. In response to a question by Hina Rabbani Khar, the NHS secretary said that despite the government's offer to the private sector to buy the vaccine, no serious buyers had so far come forward. According to him, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan has so far received applications only from three companies for the import of vaccines, but their applications have been rejected because they did not give any detail and specification of the vaccines they intended to import. Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has gone up by around 30 per cent since the announcement of relaxation in restrictions, the report said. The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), a representative body of health professionals, has urged the government to immediately impose the restrictions to avoid chances of a third wave of the virus. The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) data showed that there were 1,176 cases on February 27 and 1,163 on March 1, but the number suddenly surged to 1,388 on March 2 and reached 1,519 on Thursday. Pakistan reported 52 COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours as the number of positive cases surged to 587,014. The nationwide tally of fatalities jumped to 13,128 on Friday. According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 1,579 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

Pak govt not planning to buy COVID-19 vaccines; to rely on herd immunity & donated jabs: Officials 

The district administration had decided not to allow the opposition leaders to hold the public procession given the rising numbers of coronavirus infections across the country.

Pakistan Democratic Movement holds massive rally in Mardan

A fine of 200,000 Pakistani Rupees (PKR) (USD 1,248) has been imposed on a Pakistani man for claiming the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>&nbsp;pandemic is not "fatal" and the government should not procure its vaccine.&nbsp;

Azhar Abbas filed a petition in Lahore High Court (LHC) and in a hearing said "coronavirus does not exist" and is willing to prove it as well.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pdm-coalition-to-hold-anti-government-rally-despite-ban-351797">Pakistan: PDM coalition to hold anti-government rally despite ban</a>

"I have filed the petition regarding the non-existence of coronavirus. The virus does not exist. My position must be heard. Coronavirus does not spread by touching or meeting anyone and I am ready to prove it," Azhar was quoted as saying by Pakistan Today.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/renowned-activist-karima-baloch-who-once-made-rakhi-appeal-to-brother-pm-modi-found-dead-pakistan-link-suspected-351533">Renowned activist Karima Baloch who once made Rakhi appeal to brother PM Modi found dead, Pakistan link suspected</a>

He also said that the government should not procure Covid-19 vaccines.&nbsp;

LHC on Tuesday imposed the fine on Azhar and warned him of submitting such frivolous petitions in the future.

Azhar, an air-conditioner mechanic, also described Covid-19 as an "international conspiracy" against the Muslim world and said that its symptoms existed for decades and is not a fatal disease.&nbsp;

LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan asked the petitioner not to beat about the bush and show "medical" evidence that the virus was not real. 
&nbsp; 
The chief justice also noted that the petitioner was trying to create panic and uncertainty among the people and warned him of pursuing similar petitions in future.&nbsp;

A fine of 200,000 Pakistani Rupees (PKR) (USD 1,248) has been imposed on a Pakistani man for claiming the coronavirus pandemic is not "fatal" and the government should not procure its vaccine.

A fine of 200,000 Pakistani Rupees (PKR) (USD 1,248) has been imposed on a Pakistani man for claiming the coronavirus pandemic is not "fatal" and the government should not procure its vaccine. Azhar Abbas filed a petition in Lahore High Court (LHC) and in a hearing said "coronavirus does not exist" and is willing to prove it as well. Also read | Pakistan: PDM coalition to hold anti-government rally despite ban "I have filed the petition regarding the non-existence of coronavirus. The virus does not exist. My position must be heard. Coronavirus does not spread by touching or meeting anyone and I am ready to prove it," Azhar was quoted as saying by Pakistan Today. Also read | Renowned activist Karima Baloch who once made Rakhi appeal to brother PM Modi found dead, Pakistan link suspected He also said that the government should not procure Covid-19 vaccines. LHC on Tuesday imposed the fine on Azhar and warned him of submitting such frivolous petitions in the future. Azhar, an air-conditioner mechanic, also described Covid-19 as an "international conspiracy" against the Muslim world and said that its symptoms existed for decades and is not a fatal disease. LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan asked the petitioner not to beat about the bush and show "medical" evidence that the virus was not real. The chief justice also noted that the petitioner was trying to create panic and uncertainty among the people and warned him of pursuing similar petitions in future.

'Covid-19 does not exist': Pakistani man fined for filing petition over non-existence of virus

A human rights report released on Monday has slammed Pakistan for its treatment to tens of thousands of inmates during the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

Instead of freeing prisoners like other countries to risk infection in overcrowded and unsanitary jails, Pakistan has increased the prison population.

Watch |&nbsp;

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From April 2020 to August 2020, the prison population increased by more than 6,000 across the country to 79,603.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-oppositions-rise-in-protests-signifies-fall-of-imran-khan-349799">Pakistan opposition's rise in protests signifies fall of Imran Khan</a>

Prisoners who were initially freed were later rearrested.&nbsp;

The joint report was prepared by London-based Amnesty International and Justice Project Pakistan.&nbsp;

The report said the inmates face a rising threat of infection and urged authorities to renew efforts to free certain prisoners, especially, the elderly, women and those jailed of conscience.&nbsp;

As the country faces the second wave of the deadly virus, prisoners are still dangerously exposed since the authorities failed to tackle overcrowding and in fact worsened it, said Rimmel Mohydin, South Asia regional campaigner for Amnesty International, as reported by news agency AP.

During the initial outbreak of the virus in February, the Islamabad High Court ordered to free pretrial inmates charged with non-violent crimes as well as those whose bail had been earlier refused.&nbsp;

As many as 519 prisoners were released on bail in the southern Sindh province, but in late March, the Supreme Court suspended all bail orders that were given due to Covid-19.&nbsp;

The report said the apex court's decision led to a reverse trend to release prisoners and caused a rearrest of prisoners.&nbsp;

Sarah Belal, Justice Project Pakistan's executive director said the inmates who were to be freed because of age or time served were also not released.

The women who were convicted or on the trial of petty or minor crimes and were set to be released following Prime Minister Imran Khan's order were also not released, Belal said.&nbsp;

Pakistan's prisons were dangerously overcrowded before the outbreak struck and it normally jails about 80,000 people out of accommodation of fewer than 58,000 prisoners, according to the World Prison Brief.&nbsp;

A human rights report released on Monday has slammed Pakistan for its treatment to tens of thousands of inmates during the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of freeing prisoners like other countries to risk infection in overcrowded and unsanitary jails, Pakistan has increased the prison population.

A human rights report released on Monday has slammed Pakistan for its treatment to tens of thousands of inmates during the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of freeing prisoners like other countries to risk infection in overcrowded and unsanitary jails, Pakistan has increased the prison population. Watch | From April 2020 to August 2020, the prison population increased by more than 6,000 across the country to 79,603. Also read | Pakistan opposition's rise in protests signifies fall of Imran Khan Prisoners who were initially freed were later rearrested. The joint report was prepared by London-based Amnesty International and Justice Project Pakistan. The report said the inmates face a rising threat of infection and urged authorities to renew efforts to free certain prisoners, especially, the elderly, women and those jailed of conscience. As the country faces the second wave of the deadly virus, prisoners are still dangerously exposed since the authorities failed to tackle overcrowding and in fact worsened it, said Rimmel Mohydin, South Asia regional campaigner for Amnesty International, as reported by news agency AP. During the initial outbreak of the virus in February, the Islamabad High Court ordered to free pretrial inmates charged with non-violent crimes as well as those whose bail had been earlier refused. As many as 519 prisoners were released on bail in the southern Sindh province, but in late March, the Supreme Court suspended all bail orders that were given due to Covid-19. The report said the apex court's decision led to a reverse trend to release prisoners and caused a rearrest of prisoners. Sarah Belal, Justice Project Pakistan's executive director said the inmates who were to be freed because of age or time served were also not released. The women who were convicted or on the trial of petty or minor crimes and were set to be released following Prime Minister Imran Khan's order were also not released, Belal said. Pakistan's prisons were dangerously overcrowded before the outbreak struck and it normally jails about 80,000 people out of accommodation of fewer than 58,000 prisoners, according to the World Prison Brief.

Pakistani prisoners at high risk of coronavirus infection: Report

Pakistan's cricketers complained Monday of being affected "mentally and physically" by New Zealand's strict Covid-19 protocols, which have kept the players holed up in their quarantine hotel for nearly two weeks.&nbsp;

Coach Misbah-ul-Haq said the team was looking forward to exiting managed isolation, with New Zealand Cricket saying the latest virus tests had all come back negative and they should be allowed out on Tuesday.

Since the 50-plus squad of players and officials arrived last month, 10 have tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing New Zealand health authorities to withdraw permission for the team to train in isolation.

Early in their stay, several team members were caught mingling together at their four-star quarantine hotel in Christchurch, in breach of the managed isolation rules.&nbsp;

"Top professional athletes require a certain environment to prepare so that they can perform at the minimum expected levels every time they represent their countries," Misbah said in a statement.&nbsp;

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He said Pakistan "respect and understand" the health and safety regulations, but "there is no denying the fact that the implementation of certain regulations has affected our athletes, both mentally and physically prior to an international series".&nbsp;

All overseas arrivals to New Zealand must spend two weeks in quarantine, with sports teams that return negative tests after three days granted permission to train together in isolation.&nbsp;

On Friday, 10 days after the Pakistan team arrived, New Zealand health officials said "ongoing concerns" about the risk of further infections meant their training ban could not be lifted.

"I want to compliment my players and the management team for their patience, sacrifices and the hardships they have endured to ensure they not only lead the safe resumption of international cricket during the Covid-19 pandemic... but also try to give their best every time they step on the field," Misbah said.&nbsp;

New Zealand Cricket said the negative tests meant the touring party would be allowed to leave isolation on Tuesday, pending health department approval, to prepare for their first Twenty20 match against the Black Caps on December 18.

The New Zealand health ministry refused to confirm the results of the team's latest tests.

 
cf/ns/arb/th

 
© Agence France-Presse

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Pakistan's cricketers complained Monday of being affected "mentally and physically" by New Zealand's strict Covid-19 protocols, which have kept the players holed up in their quarantine hotel for nearly two weeks.

Pakistan's cricketers complained Monday of being affected "mentally and physically" by New Zealand's strict Covid-19 protocols, which have kept the players holed up in their quarantine hotel for nearly two weeks. Coach Misbah-ul-Haq said the team was looking forward to exiting managed isolation, with New Zealand Cricket saying the latest virus tests had all come back negative and they should be allowed out on Tuesday. Since the 50-plus squad of players and officials arrived last month, 10 have tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing New Zealand health authorities to withdraw permission for the team to train in isolation. Early in their stay, several team members were caught mingling together at their four-star quarantine hotel in Christchurch, in breach of the managed isolation rules. "Top professional athletes require a certain environment to prepare so that they can perform at the minimum expected levels every time they represent their countries," Misbah said in a statement. × He said Pakistan "respect and understand" the health and safety regulations, but "there is no denying the fact that the implementation of certain regulations has affected our athletes, both mentally and physically prior to an international series". All overseas arrivals to New Zealand must spend two weeks in quarantine, with sports teams that return negative tests after three days granted permission to train together in isolation. On Friday, 10 days after the Pakistan team arrived, New Zealand health officials said "ongoing concerns" about the risk of further infections meant their training ban could not be lifted. "I want to compliment my players and the management team for their patience, sacrifices and the hardships they have endured to ensure they not only lead the safe resumption of international cricket during the Covid-19 pandemic... but also try to give their best every time they step on the field," Misbah said. New Zealand Cricket said the negative tests meant the touring party would be allowed to leave isolation on Tuesday, pending health department approval, to prepare for their first Twenty20 match against the Black Caps on December 18. The New Zealand health ministry refused to confirm the results of the team's latest tests. cf/ns/arb/th © Agence France-Presse

Pakistan cricketers hit 'mentally, physically' by NZ Covid isolation

Pakistan cricketers are set to leave quarantine in Christchurch on Tuesday after testing negative for COVID-19, New Zealand health authorities said. The visiting Pakistani cricket team has a contingent of more than 50 players and officials have been isolated in their hotel for two weeks and were under strict mandatory isolation under New Zealand’s stringent COVID-19 protocols.

Pakistan cricketers have been confined to their rooms and are unable to train for most of that time after 10 coronavirus cases were detected among the group with head coach Misbah-ul-Haq complaining about the ‘mental’ and ‘physical’ impact on his players.

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"Top professional athletes require a certain environment to prepare so that they can perform at the minimum expected levels every time they represent their countries," Misbah said in a statement.&nbsp;

He said Pakistan "respect and understand" the health and safety regulations, but "there is no denying the fact that the implementation of certain regulations has affected our athletes, both mentally and physically prior to an international series"

However, New Zealand health ministry on Tuesday confirmed that all the latest swabs have come back negative and the majority of the group has been cleared to leave the hardcore quarantine.

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"After extensive testing and completion of their time in managed isolation in Christchurch, the Canterbury (district) medical officer of health is satisfied these people pose a very low risk to the community," it said.

The NZ health ministry said one person will be kept in isolation at the Christchurch quarantine hotel to ensure the recovery from the coronavirus was complete.

Pakistan will travel to Queenstown for training ahead of their first T20I of the three-match series against the Black Caps in Auckland on December 18. Both Pakistan and New Zealand will play two Tests after the completion of T20I series in New Zealand.

Pakistan cricketers are set to leave quarantine in Christchurch on Tuesday after testing negative for COVID-19, New Zealand health authorities said. The visiting Pakistani cricket team has a contingent of more than 50 players and officials have been isolated in their hotel for two weeks and were under strict mandatory isolation under New Zealand’s stringent COVID-19 protocols.

Pakistan cricketers are set to leave quarantine in Christchurch on Tuesday after testing negative for COVID-19, New Zealand health authorities said. The visiting Pakistani cricket team has a contingent of more than 50 players and officials have been isolated in their hotel for two weeks and were under strict mandatory isolation under New Zealand’s stringent COVID-19 protocols. Pakistan cricketers have been confined to their rooms and are unable to train for most of that time after 10 coronavirus cases were detected among the group with head coach Misbah-ul-Haq complaining about the ‘mental’ and ‘physical’ impact on his players. TRENDING: Watch - Sachin Tendulkar enjoys parasailing on vacation "Top professional athletes require a certain environment to prepare so that they can perform at the minimum expected levels every time they represent their countries," Misbah said in a statement. He said Pakistan "respect and understand" the health and safety regulations, but "there is no denying the fact that the implementation of certain regulations has affected our athletes, both mentally and physically prior to an international series" However, New Zealand health ministry on Tuesday confirmed that all the latest swabs have come back negative and the majority of the group has been cleared to leave the hardcore quarantine. ALSO READ: Breakdancing gets Olympic green light for Paris 2024 "After extensive testing and completion of their time in managed isolation in Christchurch, the Canterbury (district) medical officer of health is satisfied these people pose a very low risk to the community," it said. The NZ health ministry said one person will be kept in isolation at the Christchurch quarantine hotel to ensure the recovery from the coronavirus was complete. Pakistan will travel to Queenstown for training ahead of their first T20I of the three-match series against the Black Caps in Auckland on December 18. Both Pakistan and New Zealand will play two Tests after the completion of T20I series in New Zealand.

Pakistan cricketers to leave New Zealand quarantine, cleared to train for 1st T20I

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian held a press conference. Watch report.

China press conference: Pakistan and China have been supporting and trusting each other

Pakistan's coronavirus tally reached 287,300 on Friday with the detection of 626 new cases in the last 24 hours, the health ministry said.

Fourteen more fatalities were recorded overnight, pushing the death toll to 6,153, it said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-denies-rift-with-saudi-arabia-320480">Pakistan denies rift with Saudi Arabia</a>

While 265,215 patients have recovered so far, there are currently 15,962 active cases, including 774 in critical condition.

With the detection of the 626 new cases, Pakistan's coronavirus tally now stands at 287,300, the ministry said.

Sindh registered the maximum number of 125,289 cases, followed by Punjab at 94,993, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 35,021, Islamabad 15,342, Balochistan 12,062, Gilgit-Baltistan 2,426 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) at 2,167.

Health authorities have so far conducted 2,229,409 tests to detect coronavirus infection, the ministry said.

Pakistan's coronavirus tally reached 287,300 on Friday with the detection of 626 new cases in the last 24 hours, the health ministry said. Fourteen more fatalities were recorded overnight, pushing the death toll to 6,153, it said.

Pakistan's coronavirus tally reached 287,300 on Friday with the detection of 626 new cases in the last 24 hours, the health ministry said. Fourteen more fatalities were recorded overnight, pushing the death toll to 6,153, it said. Also read | Pakistan denies rift with Saudi Arabia While 265,215 patients have recovered so far, there are currently 15,962 active cases, including 774 in critical condition. With the detection of the 626 new cases, Pakistan's coronavirus tally now stands at 287,300, the ministry said. Sindh registered the maximum number of 125,289 cases, followed by Punjab at 94,993, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 35,021, Islamabad 15,342, Balochistan 12,062, Gilgit-Baltistan 2,426 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) at 2,167. Health authorities have so far conducted 2,229,409 tests to detect coronavirus infection, the ministry said.

Pakistan records more than 600 coronavirus cases in last 24 hours

Pakistan's coronavirus tally reached 276,287 with the detection of 1,063 new cases in the last 24 hours, the health ministry said on Wednesday.

Twenty-seven more people died overnight due to coronavirus-related complications, pushing the nationwide death toll to 5,892.

As many as 244,883 patients have recovered so far in the country, the ministry said.

With the detection of the 1,063 new cases, the total number of infections rose to 276,287, it said.

Sindh reported the maximum number of 119,394 cases, followed by 92,452 in Punjab, 33,724 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 14,963 in Islamabad, 11,654 in Balochistan, 2,055 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and 2,042 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The health authorities have conducted a total 1,931,102 tests in the country, including 21,256 in the last 24 hours.

Pakistan's coronavirus tally reached 276,287 with the detection of 1,063 new cases in the last 24 hours, the health ministry said on Wednesday. Twenty-seven more people died overnight due to coronavirus-related complications, pushing the nationwide death toll to 5,892.

Pakistan's coronavirus tally reached 276,287 with the detection of 1,063 new cases in the last 24 hours, the health ministry said on Wednesday. Twenty-seven more people died overnight due to coronavirus-related complications, pushing the nationwide death toll to 5,892. As many as 244,883 patients have recovered so far in the country, the ministry said. With the detection of the 1,063 new cases, the total number of infections rose to 276,287, it said. Sindh reported the maximum number of 119,394 cases, followed by 92,452 in Punjab, 33,724 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 14,963 in Islamabad, 11,654 in Balochistan, 2,055 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and 2,042 in Gilgit-Baltistan. The health authorities have conducted a total 1,931,102 tests in the country, including 21,256 in the last 24 hours.

Pakistan's coronavirus tally reaches 276,287 with 1,063 new infections

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan urged his countrymen on Friday to celebrate upcoming Eid with "simplicity" and avoid the lapses that were made in the last Eid, which overwhelmed the hospitals.&nbsp;

"Eid ul Azha must be celebrated with simplicity so as not to repeat what happened last Eid when SOPs (standard operating procedures) were ignored &amp; our hospitals were choked", Khan tweeted.

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I urge the nation to continue observing SOPs essential to sustain our positive trend. Eid ul Azha must be celebrated with simplicity so as not to repeat what happened last Eid when SOPs were ignored &amp; our hospitals were choked. I am ordering strict implementation of govt SOPs.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1284056092797022208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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He also added he was ordering the "stict" implementation of the guidelines.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-ministers-hit-with-virus-as-pm-imran-refuses-to-impose-strict-lockdown-311219">Pakistan ministers hit with virus as PM Imran refuses to impose strict lockdown</a>

In May, during the last Eid holiday in Pakistan, several people violated lockdown measures and social distancing guidelines, which triggered a surge in coronavirus cases.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-coronavirus-cases-reach-259999-313979">Pakistan's coronavirus cases reach 259,999</a>

The increase made the World Health Organization (WHO) ask the Pakistan administration to impose new lockdowns.&nbsp;

The Eid festival of animal sacrifice will begin in July end and carry on for many days.&nbsp;

Officials expect markets to be flooded with customers, who will be looking for sheeps, goats and other animals for slaughter.&nbsp;

According to the official figures, nearly 260,000 people in Pakistan have tested positive for coronavirus, including over 5,470 deaths.

The rate of COVID-19 infection in the country has slowed down significantly, but medical experts fear, a decline in cases could be due to a decrease in testing.&nbsp;

Khan attributed the slow of the virus spread to "smart" lockdowns imposed to seal off hotspots.&nbsp;

The cricketer-turned-politician is critcised for not implementing a full lockdown to control the coronavirus ourbreak as he said doing such would adversely affect the country.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan urged his countrymen on Friday to celebrate upcoming Eid with "simplicity" and avoid the lapses that were made in the last Eid, which overwhelmed the hospitals.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan urged his countrymen on Friday to celebrate upcoming Eid with "simplicity" and avoid the lapses that were made in the last Eid, which overwhelmed the hospitals. "Eid ul Azha must be celebrated with simplicity so as not to repeat what happened last Eid when SOPs (standard operating procedures) were ignored & our hospitals were choked", Khan tweeted. I urge the nation to continue observing SOPs essential to sustain our positive trend. Eid ul Azha must be celebrated with simplicity so as not to repeat what happened last Eid when SOPs were ignored & our hospitals were choked. I am ordering strict implementation of govt SOPs. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 17, 2020 × He also added he was ordering the "stict" implementation of the guidelines. Also read | Pakistan ministers hit with virus as PM Imran refuses to impose strict lockdown In May, during the last Eid holiday in Pakistan, several people violated lockdown measures and social distancing guidelines, which triggered a surge in coronavirus cases. Also read | Pakistan's coronavirus cases reach 259,999 The increase made the World Health Organization (WHO) ask the Pakistan administration to impose new lockdowns. The Eid festival of animal sacrifice will begin in July end and carry on for many days. Officials expect markets to be flooded with customers, who will be looking for sheeps, goats and other animals for slaughter. According to the official figures, nearly 260,000 people in Pakistan have tested positive for coronavirus, including over 5,470 deaths. The rate of COVID-19 infection in the country has slowed down significantly, but medical experts fear, a decline in cases could be due to a decrease in testing. Khan attributed the slow of the virus spread to "smart" lockdowns imposed to seal off hotspots. The cricketer-turned-politician is critcised for not implementing a full lockdown to control the coronavirus ourbreak as he said doing such would adversely affect the country.

'Celebrate with simplicity': Imran Khan's Eid message urge caution over COVID-19 spread

International cricket is gearing up for resumption with England’s three-match Test series against the West Indies set to start from July 8. After that, England will host Pakistan for three-match Test and T20I series ending in September. While the Pakistan squad has already reached England, six Pakistan cricketers, including Mohammad Hafeez, has been cleared to join the rest of the squad after returning negative in the second COVID-19 tests.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday confirmed that Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan and Wahab Riaz also tested negative for the second time in three days and would join rest of the team in Worcestershire.

“The PCB will now start making their travel arrangements and the departure details will be shared in due course,” the PCB added.

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Four other players – Haris Rauf, Kashif Bhatti, Haider Ali and Imran Khan – had tested positive for the COVID-19 time second time earlier this week.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Pakistan squad underwent coronavirus testing on their arrival in Manchester on Sunday before being shifted to Worcestershire for a 14-day isolation phase.

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While the fixture list hasn’t been announced yet, Pakistan are scheduled to play three Tests and as many T20Is behind closed doors in August-September.&nbsp;

Pakistan would be looking to make a mark in both the Test and T20I series with a hope that their young pace attack comes out good against England. While they have experience at their helm, youngsters are touted to shine in the English conditions. The tour will be a big challenge for the likes of Babaz Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed and other batsmen. 
&nbsp;

International cricket is gearing up for resumption with England’s three-match Test series against the West Indies set to start from July 8. After that, England will host Pakistan for three-match Test and T20I series ending in September.

International cricket is gearing up for resumption with England’s three-match Test series against the West Indies set to start from July 8. After that, England will host Pakistan for three-match Test and T20I series ending in September. While the Pakistan squad has already reached England, six Pakistan cricketers, including Mohammad Hafeez, has been cleared to join the rest of the squad after returning negative in the second COVID-19 tests. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday confirmed that Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan and Wahab Riaz also tested negative for the second time in three days and would join rest of the team in Worcestershire. “The PCB will now start making their travel arrangements and the departure details will be shared in due course,” the PCB added. ALSO READ: English TV commentary across leagues shows racial bias, study claims Four other players – Haris Rauf, Kashif Bhatti, Haider Ali and Imran Khan – had tested positive for the COVID-19 time second time earlier this week. Meanwhile, the Pakistan squad underwent coronavirus testing on their arrival in Manchester on Sunday before being shifted to Worcestershire for a 14-day isolation phase. ALSO READ: Former Cricket West Indies boss Dave Cameron joins race for ICC chairman's post While the fixture list hasn’t been announced yet, Pakistan are scheduled to play three Tests and as many T20Is behind closed doors in August-September. Pakistan would be looking to make a mark in both the Test and T20I series with a hope that their young pace attack comes out good against England. While they have experience at their helm, youngsters are touted to shine in the English conditions. The tour will be a big challenge for the likes of Babaz Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed and other batsmen.

Hafeez, Riaz among six Pakistan players cleared to tour England after negative COVID-19 tests

It is said that greed has no boundaries and the greedy are always in demand. But during this pandemic, avarice&nbsp;has replaced compassion in most countries.

As coronavirus chaos has enveloped&nbsp;Pakistan, with hospitals overflowing, doctors dying and infections escalating at an unmanageable rate, a dangerous black market in blood plasma has emerged.

At the time when Pakistan’s healthcare system is on the ‘brink of collapse’, the blood plasma of recovered coronavirus patients is being sold for more than 3000 euros to those who are desperately looking for a cure.

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Convalescent plasma&nbsp;is being trialled around the world as a possible treatment for the COVID-19. It contains antibodies generated by the immune systems of people who have recovered from the fatal disease.

Selling it or paying donors is illegal in most countries including India. However, in Pakistan, it's a means of business.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/coronavirus-cases-surge-to-over-188900-in-pakistan-over-3700-deaths-308173" hreflang="en">Coronavirus cases surge to over 188,900 in Pakistan; over 3,700 deaths</a>

Doctors in government hospitals in capital Islamabad said they had witnessed transactions between patients and mediators. Usually a patient’s family approaches someone who has recovered from Coronavirus, asking them to donate blood plasma.

When a certain amount is agreed upon as payment, (usually between 300,000 and 500,000 Pakistani&nbsp;rupees), they go to a private lab and extract the plasma, which is then ‘donated’ to the suffering patient.

Sources at the federal investigation agency confirmed they were aware of the unregulated black market sales of blood plasma but that it was up to the police to investigate individual cases. However, it is doing nothing about it as it gets a share from these illicit deals.

Doctors said that hospitals in Islamabad had also run out of vital drugs, such as dexamethasone which was recently proven to help in Covid-19 recovery, as well oxygen cylinders, because they had been stolen and were now being sold for 25 times the market price on the black market.

Pakistan now has one of the fastest infection rates in the world, with 185,000 confirmed cases and upwards of 5,000 new infections a day. The planning minister, Asad Umar, has said cases could multiply eightfold by the end of July and hit 1.2 million.

Lockdown restrictions were lifted in Pakistan on 18 May by the supreme court when it said the virus was “not a pandemic in Pakistan” and questioned why the fight to contain it was “swallowing so much money”.

It is said that greed has no boundaries and the greedy are always in demand. But during this pandemic, avarice has replaced compassion in most countries. As coronavirus chaos has enveloped Pakistan, with hospitals overflowing, doctors dying and infections escalating at an unmanageable rate, a dangerous black market in blood plasma has emerged.

It is said that greed has no boundaries and the greedy are always in demand. But during this pandemic, avarice has replaced compassion in most countries. As coronavirus chaos has enveloped Pakistan, with hospitals overflowing, doctors dying and infections escalating at an unmanageable rate, a dangerous black market in blood plasma has emerged. At the time when Pakistan’s healthcare system is on the ‘brink of collapse’, the blood plasma of recovered coronavirus patients is being sold for more than 3000 euros to those who are desperately looking for a cure. × Also read: New Delhi planning attack on Islamabad to distract from China row: Pak FM's latest bizarre claim Convalescent plasma is being trialled around the world as a possible treatment for the COVID-19. It contains antibodies generated by the immune systems of people who have recovered from the fatal disease. Selling it or paying donors is illegal in most countries including India. However, in Pakistan, it's a means of business. Also read: Coronavirus cases surge to over 188,900 in Pakistan; over 3,700 deaths Doctors in government hospitals in capital Islamabad said they had witnessed transactions between patients and mediators. Usually a patient’s family approaches someone who has recovered from Coronavirus, asking them to donate blood plasma. When a certain amount is agreed upon as payment, (usually between 300,000 and 500,000 Pakistani rupees), they go to a private lab and extract the plasma, which is then ‘donated’ to the suffering patient. Sources at the federal investigation agency confirmed they were aware of the unregulated black market sales of blood plasma but that it was up to the police to investigate individual cases. However, it is doing nothing about it as it gets a share from these illicit deals. Doctors said that hospitals in Islamabad had also run out of vital drugs, such as dexamethasone which was recently proven to help in Covid-19 recovery, as well oxygen cylinders, because they had been stolen and were now being sold for 25 times the market price on the black market. Pakistan now has one of the fastest infection rates in the world, with 185,000 confirmed cases and upwards of 5,000 new infections a day. The planning minister, Asad Umar, has said cases could multiply eightfold by the end of July and hit 1.2 million. Lockdown restrictions were lifted in Pakistan on 18 May by the supreme court when it said the virus was “not a pandemic in Pakistan” and questioned why the fight to contain it was “swallowing so much money”.

Coronavirus black market flourishes in Pakistan as greed replaces compassion

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday confirmed that another seven players have tested positive for COVID-19 after three players on Monday, taking the total number of positive cases in the Pakistan squad to 10.&nbsp;

Apart from seven players, a player support personnel was also tested positive from a total of 35 Tests. The PCB had organized the 35 tests in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar on Monday as Pakistan continues to gear up for the Test series against England.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pakistans-haider-ali-haris-rauf-and-shadab-khan-tested-covid-19-positive-ahead-of-england-tour-307795" hreflang="en">Pakistan's Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan tested COVID-19 positive ahead of England tour</a>

Players who have tested positive are: Fakhar Zaman, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan and Wahab Riaz

Players who have tested negative are: Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Ahmad, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, and Yasir Shah

Player Support Personnel, who has tested positive, is: Malang Ali (masseur)

Player Support Personnel who have tested negative are: Mansoor Rana (manager), Misbah-ul-Haq (head coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant to head coach), Younis Khan (batting coach), Mushtaq Ahmed (spin bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Talha Butt (team analyst), Yasir Malik (strength and conditioning coach), Dr Sohail Saleem (team doctor), Lt Col (retd) Usman Riffat (security manager) and Raza Kitchlew (media and digital content manager).

Not tested to date: Shoaib Malik, Cliffe Deacon and Waqar Younis

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Earlier on Monday, the PCB announced that Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan tested positive with Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari’s results coming as negative.

The PCB medical panel is in touch with the concerned players and the masseur and they have been instructed to follow strict quarantine at their homes.&nbsp;

<h2>What next for Pakistan?</h2>

The players and staff, who have tested negative, will gather in a bio-secure environment in Lahore on June 24 in a bid to undergo another round of testing on June 25. Those who test negative on June 25 will depart for Manchester, the United Kingdom on a chartered flight. They will be tested again after arriving in the UK by ECB medical panel. Those who test negative there will observe quarantine as per the UK government’s guidelines but will be allowed to train and practice in the bio-secure facility.

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan: “The recent positive tests of some of the fittest athletes, who had not shown any symptoms, clearly reflect the danger this virus possesses. As such, and on behalf of the PCB, I once again request the public to strictly adhere to all safety precautions as advised and recommended by the federal and provincial governments to ensure their health and safety as well as of their dear and near ones.

“As regards the players, who have tested positive, we will continue to monitor and support them, including conducting antibody tests, and as soon as they test negative, they will be flown to join the squad in England. At the moment, they have been advised to go into self-isolation so that they not only recover quickly but also prevent their other family members from being infected.

“The tour to England is very much on track and the side will depart as per schedule on 28 June. Fortunately, all the first-choice red-ball squad, barring Mohammad Rizwan, are negative, which means they can start training and practicing immediately &nbsp;after they have been tested and given the all clear when they arrive in England

“In the meantime, Misbah-ul-Haq is reviewing the training schedule in England and is firming up plans for reserve players to be tested as a backup.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday confirmed that another seven players have tested positive for COVID-19 after three players on Monday, taking the total number of positive cases in the Pakistan squad to 10.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday confirmed that another seven players have tested positive for COVID-19 after three players on Monday, taking the total number of positive cases in the Pakistan squad to 10. Apart from seven players, a player support personnel was also tested positive from a total of 35 Tests. The PCB had organized the 35 tests in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar on Monday as Pakistan continues to gear up for the Test series against England. ALSO READ: Pakistan's Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan tested COVID-19 positive ahead of England tour Players who have tested positive are: Fakhar Zaman, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan and Wahab Riaz Players who have tested negative are: Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Ahmad, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, and Yasir Shah Player Support Personnel, who has tested positive, is: Malang Ali (masseur) Player Support Personnel who have tested negative are: Mansoor Rana (manager), Misbah-ul-Haq (head coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant to head coach), Younis Khan (batting coach), Mushtaq Ahmed (spin bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Talha Butt (team analyst), Yasir Malik (strength and conditioning coach), Dr Sohail Saleem (team doctor), Lt Col (retd) Usman Riffat (security manager) and Raza Kitchlew (media and digital content manager). Not tested to date: Shoaib Malik, Cliffe Deacon and Waqar Younis ALSO READ: Serbian tennis ace Novak Djokovic tests positive for COVID-19 Earlier on Monday, the PCB announced that Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan tested positive with Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari’s results coming as negative. The PCB medical panel is in touch with the concerned players and the masseur and they have been instructed to follow strict quarantine at their homes. What next for Pakistan? The players and staff, who have tested negative, will gather in a bio-secure environment in Lahore on June 24 in a bid to undergo another round of testing on June 25. Those who test negative on June 25 will depart for Manchester, the United Kingdom on a chartered flight. They will be tested again after arriving in the UK by ECB medical panel. Those who test negative there will observe quarantine as per the UK government’s guidelines but will be allowed to train and practice in the bio-secure facility. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan: “The recent positive tests of some of the fittest athletes, who had not shown any symptoms, clearly reflect the danger this virus possesses. As such, and on behalf of the PCB, I once again request the public to strictly adhere to all safety precautions as advised and recommended by the federal and provincial governments to ensure their health and safety as well as of their dear and near ones. “As regards the players, who have tested positive, we will continue to monitor and support them, including conducting antibody tests, and as soon as they test negative, they will be flown to join the squad in England. At the moment, they have been advised to go into self-isolation so that they not only recover quickly but also prevent their other family members from being infected. “The tour to England is very much on track and the side will depart as per schedule on 28 June. Fortunately, all the first-choice red-ball squad, barring Mohammad Rizwan, are negative, which means they can start training and practicing immediately after they have been tested and given the all clear when they arrive in England “In the meantime, Misbah-ul-Haq is reviewing the training schedule in England and is firming up plans for reserve players to be tested as a backup.”

Hafeez, Wahab and 5 more Pakistan players test positive for COVID-19 ahead of England tour

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday confirmed three players – Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan – have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Pakistan’s tour to England. The players were asymptomatic until they were tested for coronavirus in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

The PCB medical panel is in touch with Ali, Haris and Shadab and the trio have been advised to go into self-isolation immediately. Whereas, Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari were screened in Rawalpindi and the results have come negative. The duo will travel to Lahore on June 24.&nbsp;

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All the other players and team officials, barring Cliffe Deacon, Shoaib Malik and Waqar Younis, underwent coronavirus tests at their respective centres in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar on Monday. The results are expected to come on Tuesday.&nbsp;

On June 12, PCB had announced an extended 29-man squad for the three Tests against England slated to be played in August and September.&nbsp;

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<h2>Pakistan 29-player squad for England tour:</h2>

Openers (4) – Abid Ali (Sindh, Lahore Qalandars), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore Qalandars), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan, Peshawar Zalmi) and Shan Masood (Southern Punjab, Multan Sultans)

Middle-order batsmen (9) – Azhar Ali (captain) (Central Punjab), Babar Azam (Test vice-captain and T20I captain) (Central Punjab, Karachi Kings), Asad Shafiq (Sindh, Multan Sultans), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haider Ali (Northern, Peshawar Zalmi), Iftikhar Ahmad (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi Kings), Khushdil Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Multan Sultans), Mohammad Hafeez (Southern Punjab, Lahore Qalandars) and Shoaib Malik (Southern Punjab, Peshawar Zalmi)

Wicketkeepers (2) - Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi Kings) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators)

Fast bowlers (10) – Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab, Islamabad United), Haris Rauf (Northern, Lahore Qalandars), Imran Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab, Quetta Gladiators), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Northern, Lahore Qalandars), Sohail Khan (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators), Usman Shinwari (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore Qalandars) and Wahab Riaz (Southern Punjab, Peshawar Zalmi)

Spinners (4) – Imad Wasim (Northern, Karachi Kings), Kashif Bhatti (Sindh), Shadab Khan (Northern, Islamabad United) and Yasir Shah (Balochistan, Peshawar Zalmi).

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday confirmed three players – Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan – have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Pakistan’s tour to England.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday confirmed three players – Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan – have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Pakistan’s tour to England. The players were asymptomatic until they were tested for coronavirus in Rawalpindi on Sunday. The PCB medical panel is in touch with Ali, Haris and Shadab and the trio have been advised to go into self-isolation immediately. Whereas, Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari were screened in Rawalpindi and the results have come negative. The duo will travel to Lahore on June 24. ALSO READ: Cricket South Africa announces seven coronavirus cases All the other players and team officials, barring Cliffe Deacon, Shoaib Malik and Waqar Younis, underwent coronavirus tests at their respective centres in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar on Monday. The results are expected to come on Tuesday. On June 12, PCB had announced an extended 29-man squad for the three Tests against England slated to be played in August and September. ALSO READ: ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 most-watched women's cricket event in history Pakistan 29-player squad for England tour: Openers (4) – Abid Ali (Sindh, Lahore Qalandars), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore Qalandars), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan, Peshawar Zalmi) and Shan Masood (Southern Punjab, Multan Sultans) Middle-order batsmen (9) – Azhar Ali (captain) (Central Punjab), Babar Azam (Test vice-captain and T20I captain) (Central Punjab, Karachi Kings), Asad Shafiq (Sindh, Multan Sultans), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haider Ali (Northern, Peshawar Zalmi), Iftikhar Ahmad (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi Kings), Khushdil Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Multan Sultans), Mohammad Hafeez (Southern Punjab, Lahore Qalandars) and Shoaib Malik (Southern Punjab, Peshawar Zalmi) Wicketkeepers (2) - Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi Kings) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators) Fast bowlers (10) – Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab, Islamabad United), Haris Rauf (Northern, Lahore Qalandars), Imran Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab, Quetta Gladiators), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Northern, Lahore Qalandars), Sohail Khan (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators), Usman Shinwari (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore Qalandars) and Wahab Riaz (Southern Punjab, Peshawar Zalmi) Spinners (4) – Imad Wasim (Northern, Karachi Kings), Kashif Bhatti (Sindh), Shadab Khan (Northern, Islamabad United) and Yasir Shah (Balochistan, Peshawar Zalmi).

Pakistan's Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan tested COVID-19 positive ahead of England tour

Pakistan's COVID-19 cases reached 132,405 after a record 6,472 new infections were detected, while 88 more people have succumbed to the coronavirus, pushing the death toll to 2,551, the health ministry said on Saturday.

The Ministry of National Health Services said a record 29,850 tests were done in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of COVID-19 tests conducted in the country to 839,019.

"So far, 50,056 people have recovered across Pakistan, making it a significant count," it said.

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There are no patients on ventilators in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Balochistan. As many as 420 ventilators out of a total 1,400 breathing devices allocated for COVID-19 are occupied across Pakistan, it said.

Out of the total 132,405 cases detected so far, Punjab has recorded 50,087. A total of 49,256 infections have been reported in Sindh, 16,415 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 7,866 in Balochistan, 7,163 in Islamabad, 1,044 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 574 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

At least 88 people have died in the last 24 hours, taking the total death toll to 2,551, the ministry said.

There are 820 hospitals with COVID-19 facilities in the country and 8,559 patients are admitted across the country, while others are recuperating in self-isolation at homes, it added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan medical goods watchdog has approved the first indigenously made testing kit for the novel coronavirus. 
Minister of Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said that the kit was developed by the scientists at the army-run National University of Science and Technology (NUST).

The kit was approved by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) after it completed successful rounds of trials.

"Another landmark achieved.... DRAP has approved Pakistan first COVID testing kit, Congratulations to @Official NUST and our brilliant scientists ...You people have made us proud ... This will bring significant cost reduction of COVID tests also will save huge import bill," Chaudhry tweeted on Friday.

These testing kits will cost one-fourth of the current price for the kits used for detecting COVID-19. The kits have been efficiently tested on laboratory controls and patient samples.

The kit was developed in collaboration with Wuhan Institute of Virology China, DZIF Germany, Columbia University, US and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Pakistan.

Pakistan's COVID-19 cases reached 132,405 after a record 6,472 new infections were detected, while 88 more people have succumbed to the coronavirus, pushing the death toll to 2,551, the health ministry said on Saturday.

Pakistan's COVID-19 cases reached 132,405 after a record 6,472 new infections were detected, while 88 more people have succumbed to the coronavirus, pushing the death toll to 2,551, the health ministry said on Saturday. The Ministry of National Health Services said a record 29,850 tests were done in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of COVID-19 tests conducted in the country to 839,019. "So far, 50,056 people have recovered across Pakistan, making it a significant count," it said. Also read: One killed, 15 injured in explosion in market in Pakistan There are no patients on ventilators in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Balochistan. As many as 420 ventilators out of a total 1,400 breathing devices allocated for COVID-19 are occupied across Pakistan, it said. Out of the total 132,405 cases detected so far, Punjab has recorded 50,087. A total of 49,256 infections have been reported in Sindh, 16,415 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 7,866 in Balochistan, 7,163 in Islamabad, 1,044 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 574 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. At least 88 people have died in the last 24 hours, taking the total death toll to 2,551, the ministry said. There are 820 hospitals with COVID-19 facilities in the country and 8,559 patients are admitted across the country, while others are recuperating in self-isolation at homes, it added. Meanwhile, Pakistan medical goods watchdog has approved the first indigenously made testing kit for the novel coronavirus. Minister of Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said that the kit was developed by the scientists at the army-run National University of Science and Technology (NUST). The kit was approved by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) after it completed successful rounds of trials. "Another landmark achieved.... DRAP has approved Pakistan first COVID testing kit, Congratulations to @Official NUST and our brilliant scientists ...You people have made us proud ... This will bring significant cost reduction of COVID tests also will save huge import bill," Chaudhry tweeted on Friday. These testing kits will cost one-fourth of the current price for the kits used for detecting COVID-19. The kits have been efficiently tested on laboratory controls and patient samples. The kit was developed in collaboration with Wuhan Institute of Virology China, DZIF Germany, Columbia University, US and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Pakistan.

Over 6,000 new COVID-19 cases reported in Pak, death toll reaches 2,551

Pakistan's annual budget was being called the 'Corona' budget aimed at softening the blow of this pandemic. The much-awaited budget has now been unveiled but defence has taken the biggest piece of the pie. WION's Palki Sharma gets you the story.

Gravitas: Pakistan Budget | Focus On Defence, Not Coronavirus

Pakistan has registered its highest single-day spike of coronavirus cases with over 5,000 infections in the last 24 hours

COVID-19: Pak PM Imran Khan backtracks on his statement over pandemic

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;

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A leaked government report last week claimed that in Lahore alone, there are about 700,000 infections.&nbsp;

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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'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.

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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

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