Petroleum companies have resumed the supply of petrol to pumps in Karachi after more than 20 hours on Sunday. Supply had been suspended due to a shortage in the reserves of petrol and diesel at companies and refineries across the country. Following a decrease in fuel prices by the government, demand for the commodities had increased resulting in pumps running out almost immediately.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing has said that Beijing is confident that Pakistan will soon overcome the COVID-19 challenge. Ambassador Jing said Pakistan had a lower mortality rate of the virus. About 60% of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 30. Patients infected with the novel coronavirus are mainly young people, with mild symptoms so it is easier to treat them.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif for the third time in a money laundering case. According to a notification by the corruption watchdog, the PML-N leader has been directed to appear before it with documents detailing the properties inherited by him. Officials had said that NAB had received the response submitted by the PML-N president.
Television actor Sam Lloyd has passed away due to cancer at 56. Lloyd had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and cancer which had spread to his lungs, jaw, liver and spine. According to reports, he had received the diagnosis just a few weeks after the birth of his first child.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered provincial governments to ensure that daily commodities are available in markets at reduced prices. He ordered to do so after a recent cut in petrol prices. On Thursday, the federal government slashed the prices of petroleum products by Rs15 per litre for the month of May. The new price of petrol will be Rs81.58 per litre.
The All Pakistan CNG Association has announced a cut of Rs12.5 in the prices of CNG from May 1. APCNGA President Ghayas Paracha said this is following the global slump in LNG prices. After the slash, the prices of CNG across Punjab and Islamabad will be Rs72 a kg. The prices of petroleum products have been cut as well.
The Grand Health Alliance ended its protest on Saturday after the Punjab health secretary assured them that their demands would be fulfilled. The alliance was demanding that the government provide them with personal protective equipment to prevent healthcare workers from contracting the novel coronavirus. They had been asking for the equipment for more than two weeks.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved on Friday an experimental antiviral drug, Remdesivir, for emergency use in COVID-19 patients. The drug can now be given to patients who are hospitalised with severe symptoms and need supplemental oxygen therapy or a ventilator. Emergency use authorisation means that unapproved drugs that might help treat a life-threatening disease can be used when no approved alternatives are available.
The prices of petroleum products in Pakistan are set for a steep fall — up to 57 per cent. Though a decision would be announced in consultation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has worked out up to 57pc cut in various products’ prices. According to an official, Ogra had calculated about Rs20.68 per litre reduction in the prices petrol.
NAB has issued an arrest warrant for former prime minister and PML-N founder Nawaz Sharif in a case of giving illegal concessions on plots in 1986. Nawaz is accused of using his powers as Punjab chief minister in 1986 giving concessions to Jang Group and Geo TV owner Mir Shakilur Rehman on 54 plots in Lahore’s Johar Town.