Coronavirus Update: 84 new cases in Karachi

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

According to the Sindh health department’s updates on corona, 86 new infections were confirmed in 586 tests conducted in 24 hours ending at 8 am on April 10. The tally of overall corona infection reached to 1,214 in the province. The corona summary informed that Karachi reported 84 new infections, while Hyderabad and Sujawal reported one new infection each.

District wise overall number of positive cases came as: Karachi division (716), Sukkur (274), Hyderabad (163), Khairpur (14), Larkana (13), Tando Mohammad Khan (12), Shaheed Benazirabad (8), Naushehro Feroze (4), Sujawal (2), Ghotki (2), Jamshoro (2), Badin (1), Sanghar (1), Dadu (1) and Jacobabad (1), with total 22 deaths which included 20 at Karachi and two at Hyderabad. 

In all 12,209 samples have been tested since February 26 when Sindh reported its first laboratory confirmed corona case. 

In the meantime, Malir Deputy Commissioner has ordered a complete lockdown in Gulistan Society and Chiragh Society of Ibrahim Hydery sub-division. 

 A notification said that 24 positive cases of coronavirus were detected in the areas in question, while respective municipal commissioner, deputy director of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board have been asked to ensure the spray of chlorine water to disinfect Gulistan Society and Chiragh Society. 

According to another report, two doctors and two paramedical staff, who have reportedly fallen prey to coronavirus at the National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, have been placed in the home quarantine.

CM’s brother-in-law dies of COVID-19?

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The name of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah’s brother-in law, Syed Mehdi Shah, who died at a private university hospital of Karachi on April 9, has finally been included in the official list of people having died of COVID-19 in Sindh.

Earlier, there was some confusion in the media about his health status, whether he carried coronavirus till his death or he was declared free of that by his physicians. 

The media had been claiming that the brother-in-law of Chief Minister had been infected with Coronavirus during his foreign visit but it was being claimed that he had recovered from the infection and was admitted at the hospital for past few days due to renal complications. 

Mehdi Shah, a government officer, had reportedly contracted coronavirus during his visit as a pilgrim to Syria, Iraq and Iran. 

The Sindh Chief Minister, in his routine video message related to coronavirus on April 10, confirmed the 22nd death in the province due to the virus, saying this was the death of his own brother-in-law. 

“The 52-year-old Mehdi Shah tested positive for corona on March 28, but he had won the battle against virus and tested negative for corona twice,” the Chief Minister revealed. 

He further said that although the hospital, where he was receiving treatment for other health complications lately, did not declare him a coronavirus patient his funeral was carried out while observing the standard operating procedures related to corona deaths.

China yet to receive US announced donations

By Masood Sattar Khan 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

China has yet not received any funds or material donations from the United States (US) government, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang stated in Beijing on April 10. 

He made the remarks in response to the US government's pledge it would provide $100 million to countries, including China, for combating the novel coronavirus, China Daily reported. 

Geng added that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had pledged to provide China with a batch of medical supplies such as face masks and protective clothing but it informed China that the relevant materials were not ready until March 11. 

Given the fact China has achieved positive results in containing the virus now while the pandemic has spread in many places around the world, Geng said that China had formally expressed gratitude to the US and hoped that Washington will provide the supplies to countries that need them more as soon as possible.

Chinese enterprises donate medical supplies

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The liaison office of the Sichuan province of the China-Pakistan Business Council (CPBC) handed over a batch of large volume of anti-epidemic materials to be used in Pakistan. 

According to the reports appearing in the Chinese media, the donated goods were handed over to Pakistan Consulate General in Chengdue. 

At the donation ceremony, Mahmood Akhtar, the acting Consul General of the Pakistani Consulate General in Chengdu, expressed his gratitude to the Sichuan CPBC and the Chinese people who had always helped Pakistan in the time of need.

“We enjoy and celebrate together with many in happy times but during difficulties we can only see the real friends coming forward and lending a helping hand,” he remarked on the occasion.  

He observed that China-Pakistan friendship has a long history and the friendship between China and Pakistan has grown stronger at all levels of politics, economy and culture. 

Mahmood Akhtar stated that soon after the outbreak of the new crown epidemic in China, Pakistan had promptly donated epidemic prevention items to China while China was currently helping out Pakistan. 

Ma Zhijun, a member of the Sichuan Liaison Office of the CPBC, and the head of Fanfang Food Company Ltd, was also present at the donation ceremony, 

It may be recalled that the China Chamber for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), in January 2020, had authorized the Sichuan Provincial Council for the Promotion of International Trade to establish the China-Pakistan Business Council Sichuan Liaison Office with the objective to promote China-Pakistan economic and cultural exchanges.

Foreign Minister appreciates China's achievements

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, called on China’s Ambassador, Yao Jing, in Islamabad and spoke highly of China's achievements in fighting the new corona pneumonia epidemic. Chinese Counselor, Pang Chunxue, and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, Sohail Mahmood, were also present on the occasion.

According to the details made available by the Chinese Embassy, the Foreign Minister stated to have been deeply moved when he watched the unlocking of Wuhan where people returned to normal life and even took to the streets to hug each other. 

Shah Mahmood recognized that the Chinese government had demonstrated strong leadership, mobilization, and organizational capabilities in responding to the epidemic. 

“The Chinese people were united and united in their efforts to work together with the government to respond to the epidemic. Against the background of the rapid spread of the epidemic in the world, China took the lead in resuming economic and social development, giving the world confidence and strength,” the Foreign Minister was quoted to have acknowledged during the meeting. 

“China's response model has been replicated by other countries for reference. China is still doing its utmost to provide support and assistance to countries in the fight against epidemic disease, share knowledge and experience, and provide countries with much needed anti-epidemic materials,” he added. 

Reiterating that Pakistan highly valued China-Pakistan friendship, the Foreign Minister recalled that President Dr Arif Alvi had visited China last month to convey the firm support of Pakistan to the Chinese government and people.

“At that time, the Pakistani government insisted on not evacuating overseas Pakistanis from China as we were fully confident in the Chinese government's response for their welfare. After the outbreak of virus in Pakistan, China timely came out to give Pakistan strong support. The Pakistani government and people express their heartiest thanks for the Chinese unvalued support,” Shah Mahmood said. 

“The characteristics of China-Pakistan relations based on that both side support each other at difficult time. We look forward to defeating the epidemic at an early date with the strong support of China. Pakistan attaches great importance to the Belt and Road project and the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and believes that the cooperation between the two sides will not be affected by the epidemic,” he hoped. 

Ambassador Yao thanked Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi for his positive evaluation, saying that China had received vigorous support and help from Pakistan and the international community during the fight against the epidemic. 

“China believes that only by uniting and co-operating with all countries in the world can respond better to the epidemic and China is making its utmost efforts to this end. China and Pakistan have always had a good tradition of mutual support and mutual help. Pakistan has always been a priority direction for China's peripheral diplomacy,” he reminded. 

“The Chinese government and people are very grateful to Pakistan for its firm support for China's fight against epidemics. The grace of Dripping Water reported that China will continue to give its full support to Pakistan in fighting the epidemic. I hope and believe that under the leadership of the Pakistani government, Pakistan can overcome the epidemic as soon as possible and resume normal life,” the ambassador added. He stressed that China was also willing to work together with Pakistan to promote the construction of the CPEC.