Category: National

Bilawal calls for a lockdown all over Pakistan

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called for a countrywide lockdown, as the number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan exceeded 370. Bilawal said that this was not the time to criticise the Prime Minister and we all have to jointly fight the virus. The PPP chairman said that self-isolation was necessary to contain the spread of the virus.

Pakistan closes Wagah Border over coronavirus fears

Pakistan on Thursday closed the Wagah Border temporarily in its bid to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country. The border will remain closed for 2 weeks, according to the notification issued by the interior ministry. The moves comes after the increase in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan.The moves comes after the number of confirmed coronavirus cases hit 329 in Pakistan. 

Sindh govt decides to convert Karachi Expo Centre into a hospital

The Sindh government has decided to convert the Karachi Expo Centre into a 10,000-bed hospital. The decision was made during a meeting of the provincial task force on coronavirus. The chief minister has also directed the authorities to distribute 2 million grocery bags among needy families. He observed that people seem worried about food availability in view of a partial lockdown in the city.

Sindh health department gets Rs7 billion to contain coronavirus outbreak

The Sindh government has released Rs7 billion to the health department to ensure it lacks no resources to contain the outbreak of the coronavirus. Previously, the amount was supposed to be given in second and third quarterly installments, but were given all at once on Wednesday. Of the total amount, Rs4 billion will be used to buy medicines.  

Airlift suspends operations in Pakistan

Airlift, a bus ride-hailing service has suspended all ts operations across Pakistan until April 6 in a bid to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The online ride-hailing service announced this in a notification sent to users. The decision was taken after rising coronavirus cases in the country. The notification sent out asked customers to avoid bus rides because they pose a high-risk environment.

Examinations to be rescheduled after June 1

Examinations will be rescheduled after June 1, according to the Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood. The decision was taken as Pakistan’s tally of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to rise. The minister said that the foreign institutions and domestic boards are bound to implement the government’s decisions and the examinations may be scheduled between June 1 and July 15, 2020 if the situation improves.

CAIE exams scheduled for May/June postponed

Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) examinations scheduled to held in May/June have been postponed, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood tweeted Tuesday evening. He said Cambridge will announce the new dates for the exams and the decision to postpone O and A level was taken in a meeting where Ms Uzma Yousaf, head of Cambridge in Pakistan, was present.

Sindh announces a partial lockdown to contain coronavirus spread

The Sindh government has announced a partial lockdown across the province to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Shopping malls, restaurants, beaches and parks will remain closed for a period of 15 days from Wednesday. Intercity bus services will be suspended and government offices will be closed from Thursday. However, vegetable and grocery stores will remain open, according to the spokesperson. People will be able to order food from restaurants and eateries.

PM Imran Khan, Maulana Tariq Jameel meet to discuss coronavirus

Prime Minister Imran Khan met religious scholar and cleric Maulana Tariq Jameel on Monday. They discussed the coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan. PM Khan urged the ulema and religious personalities to educate people about the virus. He also asked them to tell the public about precautionary measures. They did not shake hands during the meeting.

Examinations in Sindh to commence from June 1: Saeed Ghani

Secondary examinations of students across Sindh will commence from June 1, Education Minister Saeed Ghani said in a press conference on Monday. Students studying in grade nine and matriculation will sit for their exams on June 15. Intermediate students, both grade 11 and 12, will have their examinations from July 6. All papers will be held in the afternoon shift, the minister confirmed.