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Tag: Punjab

  • Khairpur health workers inject at least 150 police officers with expired vaccine

    Khairpur health workers inject at least 150 police officers with expired vaccine

    At least 150 officers of the Khairpur police department were injected with expired Covid-19 vaccines, confirmed by the Police Training Centre, reports Geo News.

    After the incident, an inquiry report stated that the date of expiry for the vaccine was December 2021, while the vaccine was administered on January 24.

    Four police officers out of 170 got sick due after getting an expired booster dose. Five health workers, including Dr Amar Lal were found responsible for the act.

    The inquiry report states that the incident took place due to the negligence of a storekeeper, a technician, a male nurse, and a vaccinator in Sukkur, and that action should be taken against those responsible.

  • ‘The ones wearing long boots don’t know about the suffering of people’, PM Khan compares Shehbaz with Buzdar

    ‘The ones wearing long boots don’t know about the suffering of people’, PM Khan compares Shehbaz with Buzdar

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan launched Rs450 billion Naya Pakistan Qaumi Sehat Card on Wednesday and distributed them among residents of Islamabad with an annual medical cover of up to Rs1 million for each family.

    While addressing the ceremony, PM praised Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar. “He belongs to one of the most backward areas of the country and thus realises the suffering and problems confronting people.”

    He further said that some of the worst campaigns were launched against Buzdar but even then a survey declared him the top CM of the country. Last week, a survey found Punjab CM Usman Buzdar to be leading in satisfaction level for developmental works in comparison to other CMs.

    PM also took a jibe at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shehbaz Sharif. “A former CM of Punjab, who used to wear long boots and a hat and roam on the streets, flew abroad for his and his family’s medical treatment. They [Sharifs] do not know about the sufferings of the people.”

    CM Punjab Usman Buzdar said that the entire population of Punjab would receive medical insurance by March 31.

  • NCOC bans indoor events in cities with Covid positivity rate over 10%

    NCOC bans indoor events in cities with Covid positivity rate over 10%

    According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), all indoor gatherings and events have been banned in the districts and cities with Covid-19 positivity rate exceeding 10 per cent. However, only outdoor wedding events are allowed to be organised with a maximum of 500 guests.

    The ban will go into effect from January 24 , the NCOC said.

    The decisions were taken after the NCOC held a detailed review of the country’s current coronavirus situation along with the corresponding Nonpharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs). The forum differentiated the new NPIs depending on whether districts have Covid-19 positivity rate up to 10 per cent or above.

    The NPIs to be implemented are as follows depending on the positivity rate and specify that they are for fully vaccinated individuals:

    Gatherings

    • Indoor gatherings allowed up to 300 individuals, outdoor up to 500 for districts with positivity up to 10pc
    • Indoor gatherings banned, outdoor up to 300 for districts with positivity rate more than 10pc (with effect from Jan 24)

    Weddings:

    • Indoor weddings allowed up to 300 individuals, outdoor up to 500 for districts with positivity rate up to 10pc
    • Indoor weddings banned, outdoor up to 300 for districts with positivity rate more than 10pc (with effect from Jan 24 and will remain effective till February 15)

    Dining:

    • Indoor and outdoor dining both allowed for districts with positivity rate up to 10pc
    • Indoor dining banned (with effect from Jan 24), outdoor allowed for districts with positivity rate more than 10pc

    Education sector:

    • Education activities will continue for those under and over 12 in districts with positivity rate up to 10pc
    • Education activities will continue with staggered attendance at 50pc capacity for those under 12 and 100pc attendance for those over 12 in districts with positivity rate more than 10pc
    • Those over 12 will need to be fully vaccinated in both situations
    • Vaccination will be mandatory (at least one dose) for those over 12 from Feb 1
    • Aggressive sentinel testing to be carried out for targeted closures in institutes with high disease prevalence
    • Federating units in consultation with health authorities will decide limits for closure of educational institutions

    Gyms, cinemas, shrines, amusement parks:

    • Indoor activities allowed for districts with positivity rate up to 10pc
    • Indoor activities allowed at 50pc capacity for districts with positivity rate more than 10pc

    Sports:

    • All sports activities allowed for districts with positivity rate up to 10pc
    • Ban on contact sports (karate, boxing, martial arts, rugby, water polo, wrestling and kabaddi) for districts with positivity rate more than 10pc

     

    The NCOC decided that markets and business activities will continue without any restrictions. Employers are encouraged to let people work from home where possible.

    Similarly, intercity public transport has been restricted in districts with high coronavirus positivity ratios at 70pc and 80pc in railways. The ban on serving of meals was also maintained for public transport and domestic air travel.

    The curbs come as the country is in the grip of the fifth wave, which is being driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

    It should be noted that in the last 24 hours, the coronavirus positivity ratio in Pakistan was 9.48pc when 5,472 infections were recorded, with Sindh and Punjab leading the charge in new cases reported.

    Owing to a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases, several educational institutions in Islamabad and Karachi have also decided to close all schools to curb the rapid spread of the virus.

  • Usman Buzdar is ahead of all Chief Ministers in performance: survey

    Usman Buzdar is ahead of all Chief Ministers in performance: survey

    The Institute for Public Opinion Research (IPOR) in its recent survey has found Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar is leading in satisfaction level for developmental works in comparison to other chief ministers, reports The News.

    As per the survey, Buzdar is ahead as 51 per cent of respondents from Punjab are satisfied with him. CM KPK Mahmood Khan ranked second by securing a 48 per cent satisfaction rating. CM Balochistan Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo secured 43 percent while CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah got only a 38 per cent rating.

    The research center surveyed from December 22, 2021, to January 9, 2022, in which they ask the opinion of 3,700 respondents from different provinces.

    About the improvement in the performance of provincial health departments, 72 per cent are satisfied with Buzdar while CM Shah is at last with a 53 per cent rating.

    Similarly, in the education sector 86 per cent of people have shown their satisfaction with CM Punjab and KPK education department drew the appreciation of 80 per cent of respondents.

    In all the sectors, Pakistan People’s Pakistan (PPP) CM Sindh is behind among all the other CMs.

  • NCOC to decide on closing schools after checking positivity rates

    NCOC to decide on closing schools after checking positivity rates

    After the much-awaited meeting today about the schools’ closure, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) did not make a decision on whether schools will be closed or not in the wake of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

    The NCOC had called a meeting of the provincial health and education ministers on Monday.

    In a statement, they said, “Decision about education institutions will be taken on data of positive cases of various institutions for which massive testing in educational institutions is being carried out.”

    Punjab health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid informed the ministers that 85 per cent of the students in Punjab have been fully vaccinated and the Covid-19 situation in the province is under control.

    In Sindh, Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah decided that educational institutions will continue in the province despite an alarming surge in cases as Karachi has reached a 40 per cent positivity rate.

    Meanwhile, earlier today a total of 4,340 new cases have been reported in the country.

  • Child injured in pet lion attack in Gujrat

    Child injured in pet lion attack in Gujrat

    An 11-year-old boy sustained serious injuries when a pet lion attacked him in Gujrat, Punjab.

    According to media reports, the tragedy took place when the boy approached the cage of a hungry lion. The lion attempted to feast on the boy injuring him seriously.

    He was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors are treating him.

     Soon after the incident, police in the province started a manhunt against the owner who is identified as Fayaz.

    SSP central, while taking the notice of the incident, directed police officers to book the lion owner at the earliest.

    “A case has been registered against a landowner named Fayaz along with two of his workers,” police said, adding that one of them has been arrested.

    Meanwhile, it is still uncertain whether the owner of the lion holds a license for keeping the wild animal.

  • CM Buzdar forms committee to investigate Murree tragedy

    CM Buzdar forms committee to investigate Murree tragedy

    Punjab Chief (CM) Minister Usman Buzdar on Sunday formed a five-member committee to investigate the causes and lapses that led to the death of at least 22 tourists who were stranded in Murree due to heavy snowfall.

    Buzdar vowed an “impartial action” against all those found negligent in their duties. According to these terms, the committee will ascertain which government departments were responsible for the crisis situation that unfolded in Murree.

    The committee will look into what precautionary measures were taken by institutions in light of the weather advisory issued by the Met Office. It will determine whether a warning was run on media to prevent people from travelling to the tourist destination.

    Buzdar said that in seven days, a probe committee supervised by the additional chief secretary for the Punjab home department, will submit a report, and “indiscriminate action” will be taken against those found negligent in their duties.

    The chief minister also announced Rs one crore 76 lakh in financial assistance for the families of the deceased, while noting that monetary assistance is “no substitute for human life”.

    It also quoted Buzdar as saying that the entry of vehicles and tourists in Murree would be controlled from now on.

    “Vehicles and tourists exceeding the specified limit would not be allowed to enter Murree,” Buzdar was quoted as saying.

    The chief minister also directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against hotels involved in overcharging rent, terming it “absolutely intolerable”.

  • How and where to get your free booster shot in Pakistan

    How and where to get your free booster shot in Pakistan

    The fifth wave of Covid-19 has recently emerged all over Pakistan. Authorities have urged citizens to get vaccination completely and follow strict SOPs. Those who completed two doses of the vaccine can get booster shots from designated centres.

    Eligibility of booster shot

    According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), health personnel, citizens who are above aged 30, and those children who are above age 12 and have weak immune systems can receive booster shots.

    It is important to note for those people who want to get a booster shot, the gap between the second dose of vaccine and booster shot should be more than six months.

    Which vaccine you can choose?

    People can choose booster shots of their choice from four available vaccines which are Sinopharm, Sinovac, Moderna, and Pfizer.  

     Director-General of Ministry of National Health Service, Dr Rana Safdar said, “mix and match has been allowed or booster of the same company, which was administered earlier, can be given as per the choice of the people.”

    Here, the term “mix and match” means those people who had been vaccinated with another vaccine, can get booster shots from the different manufacturing companies.

    Where people can receive booster shots?

    Sindh:

    The media coordinator of the Provincial Health Department, Mehar Khursheed told that people can get booster shots from any vaccination centre in the province. People need to take their vaccination cards and the National Identity cards to get shot in the vaccination centre.

    Punjab:

    According to the spokesperson for the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, doses for booster shots are available in all approved district headquarters hospitals (DHQs) and tehsil headquarters hospitals (THQs).

    Balochistan

    The administration of booster shots had started already from December 30 according to the Provincial Coronavirus cell in charge Dr Naqeebullah. The facility of booster shots is available at 96 vaccination centres in the province. He notified that the people who got the dose for booster were all above aged 30 with six month time period gap from the second dose of vaccination.

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    Director-General Health Department Niaz Mohammad said that all approved vaccines are available to vaccination across the province for booster shots. People need to take their vaccination cards to get a dose of the booster.

    Islamabad

    According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, Sajid Shah, all Chinese manufacturing vaccines, Sinopharm and Sinovac are available in all vaccination centres for booster shots however for other vaccines Moderna and Pfizer are available in mass vaccination centres.

    Azad Jammu and Kashmir

    Divisional Monitoring Officer for Covid-19 Vaccination, Shafaq Malik said that people can get booster shots from any of the approved vaccines available at currently 142 centres in the region.

  • PM Imran Khan forms committee to devise strategy for local government elections

    After a major setback for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the first phase of the 2021 local government (LG) elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has directed the Punjab government and PTI leadership to begin homework for the upcoming local government elections in the province, adding that he would personally oversee the preparations.

    “The government and party leadership should strictly select candidates on merit and avoid dynastic politics, which was exposed after causing damage to the party in KP,” said PM Khan, reports Dawn.

    “The mistakes made in KP must not be repeated in Punjab,” he stressed. With candidates selected on merit, PM Khan said, the PTI would give a tough time to its opponents in the local government elections in Punjab.

    The premier advised that the Punjab leadership should consult with senior leaders to devise a plan of action to perform better in the Punjab LG elections.

    He was presiding over a meeting of PTI members and senior leadership to hold consultations on local body elections in Punjab.

    PM Imran Khan said that he has always respected the views of senior workers and leaders of the party.

  • ‘Namaz in open spaces will not be tolerated’: CM of Indian state Haryana

    ‘Namaz in open spaces will not be tolerated’: CM of Indian state Haryana

    The Chief Minister (CM) of the Indian state Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar said that namaz should not be offered in the open, adding that an earlier decision where some sites had been reserved for the purpose had been withdrawn, reports The Indian Express.

    Khattar said the government had informed the police and the deputy commissioner that the issue needed to be resolved. “To resolve it, everyone offers prayers at their own place. Such practices should not take place in the open. This practice of offering namaz prayers here in the open will not be tolerated,” he stated.

    “They (Muslims) have said that they have several places where they should be given permission to pray. Some of their properties or those under Waqf board are encroached up, how they can be made available to them is being discussed. Or they can offer prayers in their homes. Offering namaz in the open and this confrontation, we will not allow this confrontation to continue,” Khattar said.

    The announcement came after tension in Gurgaon city, where Hindu groups in several episodes disrupted Muslim Friday prayers and put pressure on authorities to stop Muslims from offering the prayers in open spaces.

    Talking about the withdrawal of the agreement, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Khattar said, “A decision had been taken earlier after consultation, but that decision too where some spots had been reserved, we have withdrawn it. Now, talks will be conducted with a fresh approach again. Everyone should get the facility. No one’s rights should be infringed, but no one will be forced.”

    Authorities there had reached an agreement in 2018 in which Muslims were allowed to offer prayers at designated areas in the city.

    While the CM meeting was on, some local residents and members of pro-Hindutva groups occupied the area outside the Sector 37 police station, which had been reserved for namaz prayers.

    It is reported that the group conducted a “condolence meet” to mourn the demise of Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces (CDS) Bipin Rawat and other defence personnel who were killed in a helicopter crash.

    The group also chanted slogans of “Jai Shree Ram” (Hail Lord Ram) and “Bharat Mata ki Jai” (Hail Mother India) at the site.