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  • How to protect yourself from coronavirus at office

    How to protect yourself from coronavirus at office

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s Department of Relief, Rehabilitation & Settlement has released a list of directives for its employees to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in shared workspaces.

    Here are the measures you can take to ensure a healthy environment for all employees:

    • Employees must be politely directed against hugging and shaking hands or coming into any needless physical contact with each other. This can help prevent the virus from being transferred to healthy employees from employees who may already have the virus but are not showing its symptoms.
    • Employees must wash their hands at least three to four times a day with soap or an alcohol-based sanitizer
    • All towels in toilets should be changed frequently or replaced with disposable towels that can be trashed after first use.
    • Any tissues, once used, should be disposed of immediately in a trash bin.
    • Biometric attendance to be stopped with immediate effect. This can help prevent the virus from being transferred to healthy employees from a sick individual via biometric machines.
    • Any unnecessary contact with side railings and doors should be avoided.  Healthy employees can pick up the virus by touching surfaces that a sick employee has also touched.
    • Likewise, appropriate safety precautions must be taken when coming in contact with office machinery such as telephones, fax machines and computers.
    • In case of cough and flu, the employee must seek medical attention on first priority.
    • A mask should be worn by any person showing symptoms of cough and flu. This is to prevent the virus from spreading in the environment through coughing and sneezing.
    • Face-masks should be discarded after one day of use.

  • Pakistan, US trade negotiation failed.

    Pakistan, US trade negotiation failed.

    Despite United States (US) Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross’s visit to Islamabad, Pakistan and the US have failed to achieve ‘breakthrough’ for promoting trade ties between the two countries, Geo reported.

    “This high-level visit proved a non-starter because the US did not make any firm commitments on three demands put forth by the Pakistani side on the negotiating table. It can be termed just a posturing visit as a balancing act in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s visit to arch-rival India,” the report said.

    It quoted top officials as noting that the Pakistani side put forward three demands before the US delegation. Pakistan seeks a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), but the US side replied that “they would look into it” and did not make a commitment.

    The delegation also disapproved Pakistan’s proposition to expand GSP Plus list for providing concession on export items from the US side, so it can once again become a non-starting area.

    Furthermore, the Pakistani side demanded moving towards Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). However, the US authorities responded that they would see how things could proceed in future.

    Pakistani officials still seemed confident to believe that the US would respond positively on TIFA front in the coming future, but the optimism seems groundless because no commitments have been made.

    Keeping in view experience of the past many years, there have been several occasions when the US agreed to hold talks on TIFA and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), but it always proved a futile exercise after holding sessions for several years.

  • Navin Waqar reveals the secrets behind her fitness

    Navin Waqar reveals the secrets behind her fitness

    Ever since Navin Waqar came in Humsafar, her toned and fit body set fitness goals. In a recent social media post, the actor elaborated on how she maintains a healthy fitness regime.

    Navin shared how she tries to maintain a balanced diet and get in as much exercise as possible to burn those extra calories.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8_HSMlhU4p/

    Do you think Navin’s fitness regime is easy?

  • Coronavirus in Pakistan: Prices of face masks increase by 900%

    Coronavirus in Pakistan: Prices of face masks increase by 900%

    With a couple of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — surfacing in the country, the prices of face or medical masks have increased by staggering 900% as local pharmacies also run out of what is said to provide some protection from the virus.

    While some experts say it provides modest protection against the virus that is new to science, others doubt the effectiveness of such masks for stopping COVID-19 transmission. United States (US) health officials say the virus spreads mostly between people who are in close contact with each other, and from respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs.

    China is the world’s largest producer of the said masks, with a reported daily capacity of 20 million pieces, but by the estimate of its manufacturers, domestic demand alone is around 50 to 60 million per day. Amid the surge in demand, medical store owners are citing a shortage of the masks as the reason behind the increase in its price from Rs100 for a box to Rs1,000 for the same in markets across Pakistan.

    CORONAVIRUS IN PAKISTAN:

    First two cases of coronavirus in Pakistan were reported on Wednesday night, one of which was in the provincial capital of the country’s southeastern province of Sindh, and the other in the federal capital.

    While details of the case in Islamabad have not yet been made public, the first reported case is that of a 22-year-old man who, according to government sources, reached Pakistan from Iran by air and has a history of travel to Tehran “from where he acquired the virus”.

    It was also confirmed by Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza.

    “I can confirm first two cases of coronavirus in Pakistan. Both cases are being taken care of according to clinical standard protocols and both of them are stable. No need to panic, things are under control,” he tweeted.

  • Feroze Khan says TikTok is ‘cancer’

    Actor Feroze Khan took to Twitter to lash out at popular social media app TikTok. The actor posted the screenshot of the two controversial TikTok videos and wrote, “Tik Tok is cancer. I repeat, cancer !”

    Khan talked about the video that was recorded at Quaid e Azam mausoleum that shows a girl in Hijab dancing in front of the mausoleum. Khan also referenced another TikTok video that was recorded at a graveyard.

     Fans of the actor agreed with him on Twitter.

    https://twitter.com/imkakarotto119/status/1232693623080267779?s=20

    The Mazar-e-Quaid’s administration on Tuesday decided to approach the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for the removal of the viral video.

    Many people had protested after watching the TikTok video of the girl dressed in white clothes dancing in the vicinity of the shrine. They said that the incident has tarnished the sanctity of the historic place.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8_ffoQHV0Z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • SPONSORED: Realme unveils ‘Quad Camera BatteryKing 5i’, ‘Triple Camera Game Monster C3’

    SPONSORED: Realme unveils ‘Quad Camera BatteryKing 5i’, ‘Triple Camera Game Monster C3’

    Realme – the fastest growing smartphone brand in Pakistan that resonates with the young generation – has unveiled two new devices, Realme 5i and C3, in its maiden campus launch for youngsters in Pakistan.

    The brand hosted a musical concert with Amanat Ali along with other celebrities, including Aiman Khan, Hina Altaf, Zubab Rana and Ramsha Khan, who were invited as brand promoters for the latest devices.

    Youth’s Favorite and Pakistan’s top YouTubers like Shahveer Jaffry, Raza Samo, Video wali sarkar, connect Kashan and RHS – Rana Hamza Saif were also part of the launch event.

    On February 25, within the framework of the Realme campus launch, hundreds of youngsters and media representatives participated in Realme product experience activities. The experience space was divided into different areas such as the space for taking photos with Realme smartphones, IoT products wall and a collection of photos shot on Realme phones to help students to understand the key specifications of the newly-launched devices.

    This first smartphone lineup of the year, the Realme 5i and Realme C3, has been launched in the company’s first-ever campus launch event to engage with youngsters and help them experience the device first hand.

    realme C3

    The Realme 5i is available in one variant – 4GB RAM + 64GB storage priced at PKR 24,999 available for sale since February 26 –, while Realme C3 with 3GB RAM + 32GB storage — priced at PKR 20,999 — will be available for sale from February 29.

    realme 5i

    Realme, which provides high-quality products for the youth of the country, has always been closely connected with its young fans. The brand is known to offer a wide range of sophisticated and advanced products for the youth at the best price-points.

    Over a short time-span, Realme has established an unbreakable bond with its users, making them the true brand ambassadors. Realme is recognised as the 7th largest smartphone brand globally. Besides a high value for money, Realme’s availability across all tiers of the smartphone market ensures great visibility.

  • Kashmir, Kartarpur, Abhinandan, Humayun Saeed: ‘Ehd e Wafa’s finale will have it all

    Kashmir, Kartarpur, Abhinandan, Humayun Saeed: ‘Ehd e Wafa’s finale will have it all

    Ehd e Wafa’s last episode is coming to cinemas on March 14 and it appears that audiences will be in for a thrilling ride. At least, that’s what the trailer promises.

    To celebrate ‘Surprise Day’ – the day Abhinandan’s plane was shot down in Pakistani airspace – Momina Duraid Films released a trailer for the last episode of the super hit drama serial.

    The two-minute teaser doesn’t give away much but introduces two new characters in the drama – Major Humayun and Indian Airforce’s Wing Commander Abhinandan. It is likely that the episode will shed light on the retaliatory attack by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) after India’s Balakot airstrike.

    Apart from that, there is also a glimpse of the Kartarpur Corridor which marked a monumental moment in Pakistan’s history and action on the Line of Control.

    The teaser ends with an injured Captain Saad (Ahad Raza Mir) trudging through the trees.

    Directed by Saifee Hassan and written by Mustafa Afridi, Ehd-e-Wafa is centered around the SSG, short for Secret ‘S’ Gang, consisting of Shehryar (Ahmed Ali Akbar), Shariq (Wahaj Ali), Saad (Ahad Raza Mir) and Shahzain (Osman Khalid Butt). The series won the hearts of the audiences because of its heartwarming storyline and great performances by the ensemble cast which also includes Alizeh Shah, Hajra Yamin, Vaneezah Ahmed, Zara Noor Abbas, Faraz Yahya, Syed Muhammad Ahmed and Adnan Samad Khan (Gulzar) among others.

    Read more – ‘Ehd-e-Wafa’ to release in cinemas one day before TV

    Watch the trailer here:

  • LEAKED VIDEO: ‘You did a great job by slapping Mubasher Lucman,’ KP CM tells Fawad Chaudhry

    LEAKED VIDEO: ‘You did a great job by slapping Mubasher Lucman,’ KP CM tells Fawad Chaudhry

    A “leaked” video over the internet on Thursday showed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Mahmood Khan appreciating Federal Minister for Science & Technology Fawad Chaudhry for slapping journalist Mubasher Lucman in January this year.

    “You did a great job by slapping Mubasher Lucman,” the KP CM can be heard as saying in the video.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    Fawad had on January 5 slapped anchorperson Lucman at the valima ceremony of Mohsin Leghari’s son.

    Several leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including Jehangir Tareen, were present at the time of scuffle between the two. Reacting to the incident, Fawad in a Twitter message had criticised Lucman, saying that the anchorperson could not be considered a journalist.

    The scuffle had come in response to Lucman’s allegations against Fawad regarding TikTok star Hareem Shah.

    Geo News bureau chief for Lahore, Raees Ansari, had revealed that Tareen and Fawad were talking about the allegations that Lucman had levelled on the minister during a TV show, salaciously linking the federal minister to Shah, who had then made headlines after accusing government officials, including lawmakers, of sending her indecent pictures.

    It was at that moment that Lucman arrived at the event, triggering a war of words between him and Fawad over the issue. The federal minister reportedly protested against the claims, later slapping and shoving the anchor. The altercation stopped when people intervened and broke up the fight.

    Soon after, both Fawad and Lucman had left the event.

  • Anchor seals PEMRA office, takes officials hostage at gunpoint

    Anchor seals PEMRA office, takes officials hostage at gunpoint

    Officials of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) were earlier this month reportedly detained by an anchor, who had stormed the media watchdog’s Lahore office with the help of three of his police guards and two other unidentified persons.

    According to The News, a top PEMRA official on February 13 found the anchor calling him on WhatsApp after barging into the office, shouting and directing his companions to seal the premises and barring anyone from entering or exiting the building.

    Three police guards deputed for his security helped him lay siege at the office, while two persons in plain clothes also accompanied the journalist who had arrived on a Toyota Corolla bearing a green number plate, the report said.

    He further shouted asking for CCTV cameras and instructed his men to confiscate them, it added.

    As the siege continued, PEMRA Lahore’s regional general manager came out of his room and request the anchor to discuss with him his grievances, the anchor followed the official to his room and ordered his police guards to lock it from inside while staying alert with the weapons.

    Finally, the manager was also made hostage along with his two guests. It was from there, the anchor called up a top PEMRA official in Islamabad and put it on speakerphone.

    “Do you want to continue your job or not?” the anchor asked the top official. “Yes, I want to continue,” was the reply. Second question, “If I ask you to delegate me all of your powers, would you do that or not?” “I will do that,” the official responded.

    The third question by the anchor was if he put the official’s phone on hold for an hour, would he wait or disconnect the call? “I will wait.”

    This followed requests from the top official who wanted the anchor to forgive PEMRA. He also told the journalist that the action taken against him was a mistake, the report claimed and added that the media watchdog official further promised that he would visit Lahore to personally apologise to the anchor.

    The conversation ended after this reassurance and Lahore PEMRA regional general manager was a silent spectator.

    According to the report, PEMRA’s Council of Complaints had fined the anchor Rs500,000 while taking action on the complaint of two provincial ministers. The anchor had alleged them of corrupt practices in his TV programme but failed to prove the same. PEMRA chairman had approved the decision and it was delivered to the anchor on the day he attacked the office in retaliation instead of opting for a legal remedy.

    As the matter was “resolved” after assurance of the top PEMRA official, the anchor decided to celebrate it at PEMRA’s Lahore office where he remained from 3 pm to 6 pm. He ordered the accompanying men in plain clothes to go get 10 pizzas.

    While the anchor apologised to his hostages for any “inconvenience”, he let the staff know about the powers he enjoyed, the report said.

    Taking names of high-ups in the judiciary and security agencies, he “tried to give an impression that he was very influential and also got the support of all the named institutions”, Regional General Manager Ikram Barkat noted in a written report sent to the PEMRA chairman.

    “He also told us that he has powers given by the Supreme Court (SC) to seal any premises and has the seals available in his vehicles to do so. For reference, he quoted an incident where he sealed a hospital for three days.”

    While the report sent to the PEMRA chief is being treated as a ‘top-secret’ and the name of the journalist has not been disclosed, sources in the media regulatory authority have informed The Current that the anchor is affiliated with BOL Network.

    Repeated attempts were made to contact the journalist, but he was unavailable.

  • Coronavirus myths flooding your WhatsApp? Here’s what is actually true

    Coronavirus myths flooding your WhatsApp? Here’s what is actually true

    The WhatsApp inbox of almost every Pakistani user has been flooding with myths regarding the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — since first two cases of the disease in the country were confirmed by the government last night.

    While the World Health Organization (WHO) has already declared an emergency following the global outbreak of the novel virus that has so far claimed over 2,700 lives and left around 81,000 others infected, here are some myth busters you need to know while maybe ignoring all those forwarded messages on WhatsApp.

    Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also at risk?

    According to the WHO, people of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. 

    WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.

    Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?

    No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.

    The new coronavirus is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalised for the COVID-19, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.

    Can eating garlic or putting on sesame oil help prevent coronavirus?

    Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.

    As for sesame oil, it does not kill the new coronavirus. There are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the 2019-nCoV on surfaces. These include bleach/chlorine-based disinfectants, either solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform.

    However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on the skin or under your nose. It can even be dangerous to put these chemicals on your skin.

    Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the new coronavirus?

    To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus, however, chloroquine phosphate — used for the treatment of malaria — has so far proven to be the most effective drug against the virus.

    Those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimised supportive care. Some specific treatments are under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a range or partners.

    Can pets at home spread the coronavirus?

    At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This protects you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.