Category: National

Peshawar hospitals fail to reopen OPDs despite govt order

The Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) of all major hospitals in Peshawar remained closed despite orders by the Supreme Court. According to residents, all entry spots leading to the OPD at Lady Reading Hospital were blocked with tents. The management of the hospital said that they decided to keep the OPDs closed as they had multiple coronavirus patients. 

Islamabad’s Bhara Kahu and Shahzad Town to be de-sealed

The Islamabad administration decided on Thursday to de-seal Bhara Kahu and Shahzad Town after almost three weeks. A notification, issued by the district magistrate, says that the step is being taken on the advice of the district health officer after “detailed survey, contact tracing, ground surveillance and testing of suspected individuals”.

Islamabad lifts ban on visiting hospital OPDs

The Islamabad district magistrate has lifted the ban on people visiting out-patient department of the hospital. The ban was imposed on March 24 to curb the spread of the coronavirus. According to an April 9 notification, the ban has been lifted but hospitals have to adhere to a set of SOPs given to them. They also have to make sure people are practising social distancing.

Pakistan’s FATF fate to be decided in October

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), has extended Pakistan’s deadline from June to October to take steps to avoid being placed on its blacklist. The deadline has been extended because of the outbreak of COVID-19. It will now meet from October 21 to October 26 in Beijing. In February 2020, the FATF expressed concerns over “Pakistan’s failure to complete its action plan in line with the agreed timelines. 

Sindh lockdown rules to be relaxed after April 14: Saeed Ghani

Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani said Tuesday the lockdown rules will be relaxed after April 14. Ghani explained in a statement that the decision is taken so that some sectors can be given conditional permission to resume their operations. However, he reminded people to continue following the lockdown rules as per the law until the aforementioned day. 

SNGPL consumers can now pay bills in installments at any bank branch

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has permitted its domestic consumers with a bill less than Rs.2000 to pay it in easy installments. The decision was taken amid the countrywide lockdown due to Coronavirus. Those consumers who have received the bill without installments can pay their bills in 3 installments at nearby banks. According to the SNGPL spokesperson, all banks have been notified of the decision. 

Punjab orders schools to give parents 20% fee concession

All private schools in Punjab have been ordered to provide a 20% concession on tuition fees to parents,  according to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. In a tweet on Monday, he said that the schools are no more allowed to charge consolidated fees for two months and have to collect them separately for each month.

Punjab parks to be converted into field hospitals

The Punjab government has decided to set up field hospitals at its parks to treat patients who have contracted COVID-19. Asif Mehmood, the chairperson of the Parks and Horticulture Authority, said that these field hospitals will serve as quarantine centres when the burden on hospitals increases. For this matter he has issued instructions to administrations of different cities to follow these directives.

Crime rate in Rawalpindi drops to zero during lockdown

Rawalpindi city’s crime rate dropped to zero since the day the Punjab government enforced a province-wide lockdown on 24 March. The crime rate in Rawalpindi city had already decreased by 70% to 80% before the enactment of lockdown because most citizens limited their movement due to Coronavirus outbreak while the police took care of the rest through patrolling every nook and cranny of the city, according to the SP Saddar Division, Rai Mazhar Iqbal. 

PIA halts Karachi operations after pilots suspected of contracting coronavirus

PIA stopped its flight operations from Karachi on Sunday after four pilots were suspected of contracting the coronavirus. CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik has issued immediate instructions to ground the planes. Four pilots were stopped as part of precautionary measures against the virus.The Pakistan Airline Pilots Association has stopped the pilots from flying and has called for safety measures for pilots saying that PIA has been unable to provide a safe environment.