Rapidly and exponentially increasing Coronavirus in Pakistan has surpassed China after reporting almost 5000 cases in last 24 hours. The total number of cases in the country made 83,292 mark against China’s 83,021 cases. So far, there are total 1,729 deaths in the country. As many as 76 new death occurred due to the deadly virus. Almost 30,000 people have recovered from the infectious disease.
Pakistani celebrities have joined hands calling for justice for Zohra Shah, an 8 year old who was beaten to death by her employers. Zohra was reportedly kicked repeatedly for accidentally freeing an expensive parrot. Celebrties like Mahira Khan, Osman Khalid Butt, Armeena Khan and activist Muniba Mazari among others took to Twitter to express their grief over Zohra’s ruthless murder.
As numbers of infection mounts considerably in the Islamabad Capital Territory, the administration has decided to seal nine areas to check the spread of Coronavirus. Tally reached 3188 on Wednesday in Islamabad, according to the National Command and Control Centre. The administration also requested law-enforcers to cordon off the affected areas to ensure public safety, according to the notification.
While international authorities analyse data of the ill-fated PK-8303 black box, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has alleged that pilot of crashed aircraft did not follow the instructions of the air-traffic controller (ATC) to lower the altitude. In a letter to the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), CAA said that the pilot was warned twice about his speed and altitude.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning, Dr. Moeed Yusuf has said that passengers entering Pakistan are no longer required to be put under mandatory 48 hours quarantine. The two weeks quarantine period was reduced to 48 hours to facilitate more citizens. The passengers will now be tested on their arrival and sent home to self isolate.
Qatar Airways has reportedly suspended its flight operations temporarily in Pakistan, leaving many travelers clueless. The flight operations were to resume on June 1, after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had granted special permission to the Doha-based airline for landing in Pakistan. Reasons for suspension however, remain unknown. Travelers complain that the airline’s counters on airport are deserted and call center is non responsive.
A new high-security compound built in Gwadar, visible in recent satellite images has come to attention of international analysts. While, the compound has been identified as being used by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC Ltd), it has anti-vehicle berms, security fences and a high wall. Sentry posts and elevated guard towers cover the perimeter between the fence and the inner wall.
Shehbaz Sharif, leader of the opposition in National Assembly, has been granted pre-arrest bail till June 17 by a Lahore High Court division bench. A day ago a team of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) raided Sharif’s Model Town residence to arrest him in cases related to money laundering and assets beyond known sources of income, after he refused to appear before NAB the third time.
A week after lodging a first information report (FIR) against three women for assault and torture, actor Uzma Khan on Tuesday withdrew the case leaving her supporters in despair. Uzma submitted an application to Defence C Police, saying the case she had gotten registered last week was lodged “on basis of a misunderstanding” and she no longer wants to pursue it.
Senior PTI leader Faisal Javed Khan has also become part of the Ertugrul debate and defended the airing of foreign content after criticism from Science Minister Fawad Chaudry. In response to Fawad’s tweet, Faisal said that Ertugrul will help our industry and will also give us chance to export our content abroad. He added that we also need to improve our content.