Pakistan records 107 deaths, 6,397 new virus cases

By Zahid Hussain Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recorded its single greatest one-day jump in deaths from coronavirus on Saturday, with 107 people succumbing to the disease.

It brings the total number of deaths in the country to nearly 24,63, according to figures released by the National Command and Operation Center on Friday morning.

At least 6, 397 new coronavirus cases have been reported over the last 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally of infections to 125,645.

There are 47, 382 confirmed cases in Punjab, 46, 828 in Sindh, 15, 787 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 7,673 in Balochistan, 6,679 in Islamabad, 1, 030 in Gilgit-Baltistan, and 534 in Azad Kashmir.

A total of 40,247 patients have recovered from the respiratory disease. According to the NCOC, 28, 344 new tests were conducted in the last 24 hours and of them 6, 397 came out positive.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned of strict action against the shopkeepers and business community who are not following Standard Operating Procedures in wake of Coronavirus.

Expressing his views on PTV on Thursday, he said only solution to contain the Corona pandemic as the world has discovered is smart lockdown which allows economic activity with SOPs.

The Prime Minister said from now onward, he will himself monitor the implementation of SOPs in the country.

Imran Khan said one million tiger force will be assisting the administration to aware the public regarding SOPs.

He said track and trace policy will be adopted for the implementation of smart lockdown in the country.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the performance of his team in dealing with the pandemic.  He said every step in this regard was taken with the coordination of provincial governments.

Sharing a latest survey report of strict lockdown in India, Imran Khan said 84 percent families in India are in severe crisis whereas 34 percent poor families are facing food shortage and 30 million people have lost their jobs due to complete lockdown in the country.

While comparing Pakistan’s situation with India, he said our condition is better than India due to prudent policies of the government.

He said government distributed Ehsaas Emergency Cash among 12 million deserving families.