Coronavirus Update: Laboratories in Karachi detecting higher positive cases than interior Sindh

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Though the daily number of COVID-19 new infection cases has been on rise in the interior districts of Sindh in recent days the test results given by various laboratories located there showed their daily infection rate almost 66% less than what Karachi laboratories were witnessing on June 20 when the health authorities confirmed detection of another 2,190 new cases across the province, including 592 from the interior districts, with related 35 new deaths, taking the overall tally of patients succumbing to the virus to 1,048. 

According to official data, five laboratories located in Larkana, Sukkur and Hyderabad, which had a maximum capacity of testing 3,700 samples, conducted 3,116 COVID-19 tests during the last 24 hours ending at 9 am on June 20, out of which 443 (14%) were declared positive for the virus, against 33% positive results given by laboratories working at Karachi. 

The preceding day, the interior districts laboratories tested 3,622 samples, out of which 421 (11.52%) were positive, against 35% positive results given at Karachi. 

Keen observers assessed a couple reasons behind the phenomenal differences among tests conducted at Karachi and in the interior districts. 

They reckoned that either samples presented to the interior’s laboratories were being drawn randomly, without following the tracing, tracking and sampling protocols, or by ignoring the suspected clusters and communities. 

May be, many of the samples drawn from interior regions of the province were being forwarded to the laboratories in Karachi, a source privy to the process reflected. 

Another observer opined that there still was a need to conduct robust sampling and testing in the interior districts to find the hidden cases. 

It was further learnt that Sindh had the maximum capacity of conducting 13,150 samples, followed by Punjab (9,910) and Islamabad Capital territory (7,682) besides other provinces and territories. 

According to the Sindh health department’s daily summary, the district-wise breakdown of new cases on June 20 remained as: Karachi (1,598), Khairpur (123), Hyderabad (112), Ghotki (79), Sukkur (76), Mirpurkhas (33), Larkana (32), Anushero Feroze (30), Dadu (27), Sanghar (16), Shaheed Benazirabad (12), Kashmore (11), Jamshoro (8), Badin (6), Umerkot (6), Sujawal (5), Tando Allahyar (5), Kambar Shahdadkot (3), Jacobabad (3), Thatta (2) and Matiari (1). 

In the meantime, COVID-19 deaths at hospitals continued unabatedly as Karachi registered deaths of yet another 31 patients during the last 24 hours ending on June 20, taking the megapolis death tally to 877, which was 84% of the provincial toll. 

Those who lost their lives in Karachi’s hospitals or at homes included 23 men and eight women. The deceased men were aged from 41 to 93 years while women were within the age brackets of 54 to 90 years. 

The remaining deaths of the day were reported from Thatta (one man), Kashmore (one man) and Kambar Shahdadkot (one man), while Larkana registered death of a women aged 82 years. The deceased persons belonging to Thatta, Kashmore and Kambar Shahdadkot were aged from 50 to 68 years. 

As per another official report, four of the persons who died on June 19 were off ventilators and lost their lives at homes while another two were not put on ventilators as their doctors did not advise for it. 

As at 10 am of June 20, as many as 78 intensive care unit (ICU) beds and 750 high dependency unit (HDU) beds were unoccupied at the various Karachi COVID-19 hospitals. 

According to another official source, Sindh, which has at present 321 ICU beds with ventilator facility, may have it increased to 466 by the end of June and to 516 in July. Similarly, the existing 1,096 HDU beds at hospital may, as per the government plan, increase to 1,165 from 1,096 by the end of June and up to 1,375 in July.

Pakistan caught between fast spread of COVID-19 and incoherent lockdown

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

“COVID-19 has infected about nine million worldwide, with nearly half a million fatalities. Beijing has reported fresh outbreak and their leadership putting wartime measures to contain the spread by enforcing strict lockdown and testing. Europe is opening up after huge loss of life and prolonged lockdown.” 

This was observed by Senator Nisar Memon, a former federal minister, during an interview with PNFS on June 20. 

“Pakistan has moved to 14th position in worldometers with over 171,000 infections and more than 3,300 deaths. The government has put up alarms heralding the significant spread in coming weeks and Islamabad, the capital, is caught choosing between virus deaths versus poverty,” he pointed out. 

“People all over the world are awaiting the results of 135 vaccines which are believed to be in the process development to fight against the coronavirus but the citizens of Pakistan are caught between the fast spread of pandemic and incoherent lockdown within the country,” he regretted.

“It’s being hoped and prayed by the people of Pakistan that the leadership moves away from old political path of vengeance against the political adversaries, foreign begging bowls for oxygen to ailing economy, unrelenting discrimination against women, and undermining the parliament. The list is long with its long shadows on our future,” Senator Nisar Memon reckoned. 

“Whoever is perpetuating this is unacceptable and all those who are party to this are condemnable in the harshest of words. No justification stands to reason,” he asserted. 

Incoherent policy for handling pandemic, insufficient public health, education and services; foreign dependence for national budget, continued corruption and inefficiencies, according to him, were the major current national issues needed to be addressed. 

“The other week’s visit of Prime Minister to Sindh without showing necessary sympathy to kith and kin of medical and paramedics who succumbed to virus during supreme service; apathy to Karachi PIA crash and non-interaction with provincial Chief Executive has not helped create congenial environment to govern this sovereign nation,” he noted. 

“Nature has given us innumerable gifts. In last 70 years some good men and women have strengthened many institutions, we have youthful population, a strategic geopolitical advantage, strong standing army to defend frontiers and strategic weapons. Let’s build on it and not negate them,” Senator Nisar Memon reminded. 

“The past governments gave this country the mobile telecommunication and internet network which helped citizens to connect in lockdown isolation. We should now move to next stage where Information Technology infrastructure connects all the people and systems within the federation for needed services and economic development,” he suggested. 

The former federal minister emphasized that the institutions must strengthen themselves to fight disasters like COVID-19, locust swarms, food security, upcoming dengue spread, and any possible adventure on our frontiers and on line of control. 

“This can be achieved by protecting the Constitution without opening the settled issues. Power can be retained by good governance and conflict management, and not by conflict creation and crisis development,” he remarked. 

“Judiciary, parliament, media, and civil services must do self-accountability, like the armed forces. If current laws are inadequate they should request parliament for new laws to make them strong to defend Pakistan. We have various TV channels: news, entertainment, religion, sport but none for parliament,” he highlighted. “

One of the reasons why China is able to effectively address issues faced by its citizens is because their President has the grassroots political experience before presiding over the destiny of 1.4 billion,” the former federal minister opined, adding that the people of Pakistan could only pray and appeal to those in power and urge all institutions to protect themselves to save the federation and its constitution.

Free soaps, masks distributed at railway station in Karachi

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Soaps and masks were distributed free of cost among the passengers and staff of the Pakistan Railways respective at the Cantonment Station of Karachi on June 20. 

According to details made available to PNFS, the distribution of soaps and masks was facilitated by the Karachi Division of Pakistan Railways with the collaboration of a private company with the objective of containing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Soaps were also distribution among a large number of coolies, stall holders and the policemen on duty at the railway station. 

The passengers, travelling on train to the various parts of the country, were advised to maintain social distancing besides using soaps and masks during their journey.

Coronavirus Update: Sindh sets new record of single-day death

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Karachi witnessed an average of 28 COVID-19 deaths daily during the week ending on June 19 when the health authorities confirmed yet another all days’ highest 49 deaths in Sindh, including 44 at Karachi, while setting another one-day record of 2,894 new infection, against 24,87 new cases registered on June 10. 

A day earlier too Karachi had registered 44 deaths, setting all days’ highest number of deaths due to coronavirus. In all 196 deaths occurred in the megapolis, which houses the maximum public, private and charity health infrastructures in the province, from June 13 to June 19. 

Keen observers stay baffled at the situation. They have assumed that the doctors have become helpless in the prevailing circumstances at the various hospitals. A general perception was developing that the Sindh Healthcare Commission’s officers were missing from the scene. 

“They should visit COVID-19 hospitals of all sectors to assess the services being given to patients and capabilities and competence of the health administration there.” 

The corona positive people who lost their lives in Karachi and other four districts of Sindh during the last 24 hours ending at 9 am on June 19 included patients from different age groups. 

As many as 26 men, aged from 32 to 90 years, and 18 women, in the age brackets of 15 to 84 years, expired at Karachi, while two men of 63 and 70 years respectively, could not survive the lethal diseases at Dadu. 

Three more persons, one woman of 65 years at Sukkur, one man of 70 years at Kambar Shahdadkot and one man of 58 at Jamshoro, lost their lives to COVID-19, according to the Sindh health department, which had stopped releasing information about the deceased people’s hospitalization for a while. 

Sindh’s total death tally reached to 1,013, out of a total 65,163 infections. In all 13,642 samples were tested during the last 24 hours.

A maximum 2,296 new infections were confirmed at Karachi, including District East (471 new cases), South (413), Central (255), Korangi (150) and West (124 cases). Among other districts, Khairpur registered 165 new cases, taking its infection tally to 1297, with seven deaths, followed by Hyderabad (65 new cases, with overall 37 deaths), Jamshoro (62, with 2 deaths), Tharparkar (51), Ghotki (46, with 6 deaths), Sukkur (30, 16 deaths), Thatta (26, with 4 deaths), Naushero Ferroze (22, with 3 deaths), Larkana (20, with 19 deaths), Sanghar (18, with 8 deaths), Dadu (16, with 4 deaths), Shaheed Benazirabad (16, with 3 deaths), Kambar Shahdadkot (11, with 6 deaths), Shikarpur (9, with 11 deaths), Jacobabad (7with 2 deaths), Kashmore (7, with 5 deaths), Mirpurkhas (7, with 4 deaths), Matiari (5, with 2 deaths), Umerkot (5), Tando M Khan (3, with one death), Tando Allahyar (3), Badin (2, with 5 deaths) and Sujawal (2, with 3 deaths). 

According to an official data, 78 intensive care beds were vacant at 16 hospitals of Karachi on June 19, in addition to 772 high dependency beds at over 20 health units.

China's central bank injects 180 billion Yuan into market

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

China's central bank on June 19 pumped cash into the banking system via reverse repos to maintain liquidity. 

The People's Bank of China injected a total of 180 billion Yuan (about 25.4 billion US dollars) into the market, including 70 billion Yuan through seven-day reverse repos at an interest rate of 2.2 percent and 110 billion Yuan of 14-day contract at an interest rate of 2.35 percent, according to a statement on the website of the central bank. 

The move was intended to maintain stable liquidity in the banking system, the central bank said. 

As 100 billion Yuan of reverse repos and 240 billion Yuan of medium-term lending facility (MLF) matured on June 19, the operation led to a net withdrawal of 160 billion Yuan from the market. 

A reverse repo is a process in which the central bank purchases securities from commercial banks through bidding, with an agreement to sell them back in the future.

Supreme Court lawyer proposes cost free justice

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

“All our laws should be translated in the local languages of each area so that people understand the implications of laws, instead of legal battle between parties through learned advocates.”

This was suggested by eminent lawyer, author and activist, Dr Raees M Mushtaq, during an exclusive interview with PNFS on June 19. 

A senior advocate of Supreme Court of Pakistan, he firmly believed that people be facilitated in understanding law before claiming that ignorance of law was no excuse.

“All of us are aware that under Islamic law there is no concept of an advocate. I would therefore suggest that, after enforcement of laws there should be one judge in each or two union counsels. He should paid handsome salary of around PKR 500,000 per month plus car besides a proper house to live,” the Nawabshah-based lawyer of international fame pointed out.

 “I am confident that our fellow advocates will opt for the jobs and they will be bound down to decide the matter within 30 days and there will be only one right of appeal before the district judge,” Dr Raees Mushtaq proposed. 

“The chairman of the union counsel shall be ex-officio Station House Officer (SHO) of the area and his members shall have power of a policeman and they will be collectively responsible for any undetected crime in the area. If the judge fails to decide the case within 30 days he will cease to be judge and another judge shall be appointed in his place. The courts shall be located in any of the mosques of that area,” he explained. 

Raees Mushtaq, having started his practice in 1959 at the age of 24, is also a renowned social activist having carried out welfare work for over half a century. 

He has authored several books and articles. Acclaimed for possessing full grip on the problems of Pakistan and its solutions, he has penned popular books like Pakistan: Western or Islamic Democracy, Password to Prosperity, Pakistan: The Fortress of Islam and Call to elect honest and sincere leadership.

Tariq Aziz: Icon of modern Urdu literature

By Aleena Arshad
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

Quite a few luminaries have arrived on the horizon of Urdu literature, dominated the scene in their lifetime and left a lasting legacy. Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, John Eliya, Allama Iqbal and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan are among those larger than life personalities about whom we talk about or discuss their works almost every other day. 

But after the creation of Pakistan the man who has been most talked about and whose voice and charisma have impacted generations the most is none than the legendary Tariq Aziz. He mesmerized the masses with his sheer brilliance and elegance. He was an asset to Urdu literature. A true genius with a multi-faceted personality. 

His selection of words and his ability to win hearts with his inimitable style earned him incredible fame in a professional career spanning well over half a century. He was not only proficient in promoting the sales of company products with his trademark commercials but he also took pride in lending his voice to various poets in order to boost them. 

Tariq Aziz is one man who was read, listened, watched, viewed and followed with passion and enthusiasm by people of all age groups and genders. His command over the language of Urdu and his uniquely distinct voice made him extremely popular in every nook and corner of the country. There was hardly any aspect of Urdu literature with which he didn’t remain associated. He’s credited to have immortalized the opening and closing of television shows. 

Tariq Aziz was born in Jalandhar but his family crossed the border and migrated to Sahiwal soon after the creation of Pakistan. After acquiring early education in Sahiwal, he commenced his professional career from Radio Pakistan. 

When Pakistan Television came into being in November 1964, he became its first male newscaster. He had the honour of making the first-ever announcement on PTV. He became a household with the television show ‘Neelam Ghar’ which shattered all records of popularity and longevity. His name was thought to be synonymous with Neelam Ghar and PTV. The powerful ending of every Neelam Ghar show with the slogan of Pakistan Zindabad warmed the hearts of millions of people. 

Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz show also turned out to be a blockbuster. It was the most sought after television programme of its time and people adjusted their daily routine accordingly to be able to watch it. Many television shows have come on air since then but the credit for pioneering it went to none other than Tariq Aziz. 

If we talk about acting, he also showcased his talents in this field, albeit with moderate success. He worked with the likes of Waheed Murad, Zeba and Shamim Ara, the top stars of that era, and many of his movies became hits. 

Turning to politics, he had contested the general elections on the ticket of PML-N in 1997 and won his seat for National Assembly. But he didn’t stay for long in the political arena and devoted his energies into scholastic activities, authoring books like Hamzad Da Dukh and Iqbal Ki Pehchan. 

Although age was beginning to take its toll in the later stages of career, he had lost none of his passion or zeal in doing the television shows as he enlightened the audience by reciting top-class poetry in his own unique style. 

I have fond memories of my meeting with the legend in 2017. It was a memorable two-hour session in which we talked at length about his illustrious career. It was the time when many leading television channels were eager to have Tariq Aziz but he had continued to regret politely by declaring that he had nothing more to declare with people as they already knew about him. 

When I was leaving him, after completing the interview, he passed on an advice to me which still hangs fresh in my memory. He advised me to continue serving the cause of Urdu literature with missionary zeal when he learnt about my interests. 

Tariq Aziz and his family had deep and immense love with Pakistan. In 2009 he had tweeted that, as he was not blessed with any child, all his assets would be at the disposal of the government upon his death. He lived for Pakistan and he died for Pakistan. He has left the mortal world on June 17, 2020 but he will always remain alive because of his accomplishments and deeds.

COVID-19 denies lifetime moments for graduating students

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

Every student entering a university has many ambitions. The most important thing at the back of most of the students mind at the time of graduation is to get a job opportunity for bright future while quite a few of them plan for higher degrees.

The graduation ceremony is one of the lifetime moments for the students as well as parents in every part of the world. It’s an occasion to celebrate and cherish.

Being fortunate enough to attend the graduation ceremony of my son at the Communications University of China in Beijing a couple of years, I have had fond memories of this event. 

The students and parents had converged from different parts of the world and they were extremely happy to be out there for sharing their dream moments. 

Attired in the graceful graduation dress, the students were engaged in exchanging pleasantries with their classmates with whom they had spent four years. It was a gala show. Like me, there were parents from many other countries present there to witness and cheer the passing out parade. 

COVID-19, however, has totally changed the scenario. No graduation ceremony, no celebrations, no goodbye, no wish for good luck, no prayers in person for bright future anymore. Most of the universities have now started doing the graduation ceremony online. 

“The students were denied the privilege of receiving tips first-hand about what should they be doing when entering their first workplace,” a recently passed out foreign student from a Chinese University responded when contacted by PNFS. 

“Compared with the previous years, this year's graduation season has been particularly hasty. The graduating students and their parents haven’t had the opportunity of gathering at one place to celebrate the very big moment of their lives,” he narrated. 

“We miss not having had time to say goodbye to our classmates. We couldn’t click a graduation photo despite having the latest of digital cameras in our smartphones,” he regretted. 

“We couldn’t even bid farewell to the campus where we spent four golden years of with our classmates, teachers and even with hostel staff, who were always forthwith to help us,” he added.

 He concluded with a wish that let the new entering students enjoy the ceremony which they missed because of pandemic.

Coronavirus Update: Sindh records single-day highest death

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

While its daily COVID-19 infection rates appeared almost stable for last a week, Sindh confirmed its single-day highest of 48 deaths, among the patients infected with the virus on June 18, pushing the provincial fatality tally to 964. 

According to data provided by the Sindh health department, the previous highest one-day new infections was recorded as 21.38% on June 12, which dipped to 19.35% on June 16 but rose again to 20.69% on June 18.

The province had a total 776 deaths till June 11, which climbed to 853 on June 15, 916 on June 17 and 964 on June 18. 

On an average 27 patients died every day during June 12 to 18. Sindh’s overall fatality rate came as 1.54% on June 18, against the national CFR 1.93%, while its overall infection moved to 18.28% as against Pakistan’s 16% since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. 

As per the health department daily summary, with 24,981 infection cases, Karachi reported, as usual, the maximum fatalities of 44 persons, including 31 men and 13 women, on June 18, followed by Sukkur (2), Larkana (1) and Kambar Shahdadkot (1). 

At Karachi, male patients who lost their lives, understandably at hospitals and homes, were living within the age brackets of 44 to 85 years while the deceased women were aged from 48 to 84 years. 

Sukkur recorded deaths of two more women, who were 58 and 68-year-old respectively while Larkana and Kambar Shahdadkot registered death of one woman each. They were 85 and 61-year-old respectively.

The Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, in his statement updating on coronavirus situation, said that the relevant deaths of citizens had highly pained him. 

“May Allah Almighty grant patience to the aggrieved families,” he prayed. 

He further said that there were 30,271 COVID-19 patients receiving treatment across the Sindh, including 28,705 isolated at homes, 64 in the designated isolation centres and 1,502 at hospitals. As many as 664 patients, including 97 on ventilators, were stated to be in critical condition. 

As many as 1,719 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Karachi during the last 24 hours ending at 9 am on June 18, followed by Hyderabad (109), Sukkur (76), Khairpur (70), Ghotki (64), Shaheed Benazirabad (59), Larkana (30), Kashmore (30), Jamshoro (26), Dadu (22), Mirpurkhas (19), Jacobabad (14), Kambar Shadadkot (10), Shikarpur (8), Tando Allahyar (7), Naushero Feroze (5), Thatta (4), Sujawal (2), Sanghar (2), Tando Mohammad Khan (1), Matiari (1) and Badin (1). 

Sindh, weathering the storm of COVID-19, has tested 340,487 samples so far, it was revealed officially.

Adherence to new normal holds key to containing COVID-19

By Tanzeel Rauf Farooqui
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

When these lines are being written, as per official statistics of the Government of Pakistan, there are 160,118 confirmed cases of the coronavirus out (COVID-19) out of which 97,810 cases are still active. Unfortunately, we have already lost 3,093 lives to this novel virus and the death toll continues increasing very rapidly now. 

These rising number of cases depict that Pakistan’s war with this virus is long from over, as almost on a daily basis, 5,000 plus cases are being recorded.

In these alarming times, all the citizens of Pakistan must adjust their lifestyles and step out of their comfort zones in order to combat this deadly virus. 

The World Health Organization (WHO), from time to time, has been advising the nations to observe social distancing and make use of the protective measures, which are not limited to wearing of face masks and the usage of sanitizers. 

This has become the definition of the new normal as, at the moment, there is no other way to contain this contagious virus and flatten the curve of the cases. 

It is rather unfortunate that we, the citizens in general in Pakistan, have not taken this virus seriously yet. As soon as the lockdown was eased by the government, we witnessed masses of the population flooding the markets and despite several requests by multiple governmental and social individuals, the use of face masks and observance of the principles of social distancing was hardly ever witnessed.

At this hour of war, we must forgo our interests for the greater good, for our elderly, for our weak, as they are the ones who are at the greatest of risk at the hands of this virus.

It is obviously impossible to stay inside at all times, but whenever stepping out, we must equip ourselves with the armor that is required to stop the further spreading of the coronavirus. 

As responsible citizens and for the sake of our elders, all of us must adhere to the measures laid out by the WHO in order to save ourselves and our loved ones. 

Almost every other day we come across the reports in media and the stories narrated by our friends and families of the difficulties that patients infected with the coronavirus go through, and for avoiding that, we must contain ourselves to our homes as much as possible. 

This is the new normal, the harsh and bitter truth, and we must realize this. Let’s obey social distancing, use face masks and sanitizers and hope for a better tomorrow but remember, hope alone is not enough, we must strive in the right direction for positive results.