The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 42,125 on Sunday after new infections were confirmed in the country.
Total confirmed cases: 42,125
- • Sindh: 16,377
- Punjab: 15,346
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 6,061
- Balochistan: 2,692
- Islamabad Capital Territory: 997
- Gilgit-Baltistan: 540
- AJK: 112
Deaths: 903
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 318
- Sindh: 277
- Balochistan: 36
- Gilgit-Baltistan: 4
- Punjab: 260
- Islamabad Capital Territory: 7
- AJK: 1
Officials have recorded more than 4.6 million cases and more than 310,000 deaths since the virus emerged in China in December.
Punjab govt allows reopening of churches
Punjab government on Sunday announced that Churches and transport in the province can be opened under the government announced SOPs.
ٹرانسپورٹ اور چرچ کھولنے کے احکامات جاری۔سیکرٹری پرائمری اینڈ سکینڈری ہیلتھ کئیر ڈیپارٹمنٹ کیپٹن (ر) محمد عثمان نے نوٹیفکیشن جاری کر دیا۔ #COVID #coronavirus #Transport #GOP #lockdownextension #Lockdown4point0 @UsmanAKBuzdar @GOPunjabPK @PakPMO @MMAslamIqbal @PTIofficial pic.twitter.com/OcJ7sGvH6W
— Primary & Secondary Healthcare – Punjab (@PSHDept) May 17, 2020
Federal minister Asad Umar chairs NCOC meeting
Federal Minister @Asad_Umar is heading the meeting of NCOC. Discussion on resumption of railway, updates on technology & solution and other important points will be carried out pic.twitter.com/3IgIAb6CKa
— PTI (@PTIofficial) May 18, 2020
11:20am – Islamabad, Pakistan — NDMA has approached AGP for an audit, authority tells SC
The National Disaster Management Authority informed the Supreme Court that it has approached the auditor general of Pakistan for an audit.
NDMA informed the court of the decision in a 123-page report it has submitted to the apex court in the suo motu notice regarding the coronavirus taken by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed.
The NDMA informed the court that Prime Minister Imran Khan allocated Rs25.3 billion to face the pandemic. It added that a Rs 50 billion grant announced by the health ministry is yet to be received.
The report while highlighting funds gathered from foreign donors shared that the Asian Development Bank gave 8 billion to the NDMA. It also added that the government has also given a grant of Rs 64 billion to the authority.
“NDMA receives aid in the form of equipment, not in the form of cash,” the authority told the court. It also told the court about the quarantine centres set up at Pakistan’s border.
10:50am – Karachi, Pakistan — SHC issues notices to provincial law, finance secretaries
The Sindh High Court on Monday issued notices to the law and finance provincial secretaries in a petition filed by SHC bar seeking funds to help lawyers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
During today’s hearing, the additional advocate general informed the court that a committee had been formed and would reach out to the lawyers today.
Petitioner Haseeb Jamali told the court that lawyers were facing difficulties as there was not much work in the courts due to the lockdown.
“Who from the government will attend the meeting between the bar and the committee,” the court asked.
To this, the government lawyer told the court that the additional advocated general will represent the government.
Upon hearing this, the court remarked that the finance and law secretaries should be made part of the committee and issued notices to them.
Karachi, Pakistan — Karachi authroities reopen market sealed for violating SOPs
Authorities in Karachi reopened the markets that were sealed last week after the shopkeepers failed to ensure the implementation of government announced SOPs.
Deputy commissioner for Karachi’s District South issued orders to reopen the markets sealed in the city’s Saddar area.
Meanwhile, an assistant commissioner also reopened Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road which was sealed for violation of SOPs by the traders.
10:20am – Islamabad, Pakistan — NCC to meet today to decide on resumption of train service: sources
The National Coordination Committee will meet today to decide whether to resume train operations in the country or not, sources informed Geo News.
According to sources, Prime Minister Imran Khan has summoned a meeting of the NCC at 3pm today to discuss with the chief ministers about the matter. The NCC will also review the coronavirus situation in the country.
10:15am – Islamabad, Pakistan — More than Rs3 bln donated in corona relief fund: PM Office
Prime Minister’s Office announced that more than Rs3 billion have been donated in the PM’s corona relief fund.
The PM office shared that the government will give Rs 4 to every one rupee donated in the fund and assured that the money is being utilised properly.
Lahore, Pakistan — Relaxation does not mean an indication of COVID-19 eliminated: Yasmin Rashid
A relaxation in Lockdown by no means is an indication of #Covid_19 having been eliminated.
— Dr. Yasmin Rashid (@Dr_YasminRashid) May 17, 2020
Be safe.
Maintain social distancing when outdoors and do not forget to wash your hands frequently.
Children and elderly should preferably stay home.
9:20am — Islamabad, Pakistan — Positive cases in Pakistan cross 42,000
Confirmed cases in the country climbed to 42,125 after new cases were reported in Islamabad and Balochistan.
According to the national dashboard, 50 new cases were detected in the federal capital while 148 new cases were reported in Balochistan.
Overall 16,377 cases have been recorded in Sindh, 15,346 in Punjab, 6,061 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 2,692 in Balochistan, 997 in Islamabad, 540 in Gilgit Baltistan, and 112 in AJK.
9:00am — Lahore, Pakistan — Transporters refuse to resume operations
Despite orders from the provincial government, public transport owners have refused to resume operations in the province, with bus stands wearing an empty look on Monday morning.
According to Geo News, no drivers, conductors or any staff could be seen at the inter-city bus stands.
A day earlier, transport owners had refused to resume operations in Punjab until the provincial government sets up SOPs in collaboration with them and takes back the decision to offer a 20% reduction in fares.
All Pakistan Public Transport Owners Federation (APPTOF) Chairperson Asmatullah Niazi had said, “There’s a 20% cut in fares and now 50% fewer customers […] We have to pay toll taxes, traffic challans from the motorway police, bus stand charges, and various other expenses as well.
“We cannot run public transport operations with 90% deficit,” Niazi added.
