Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Omicron Variant: Fifth Coronavirus wave may hit Pakistan by mid-February

Omicron Variant

Transmission of Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 has started in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad and we fear a rise in COVID-19 cases all over the country in the coming two weeks. Pakistan may experience the fifth wave of COVID-19 in the middle of February 2022 with the number of daily cases rising to 3,000 to … Read more

Stocks sink, oil tanks as new virus variant sparks panic

IEA

LONDON – Stock markets and oil prices plunged Friday over fears of a new coronavirus variant that scientists warn could be more infectious than Delta and more resistant to vaccines, potentially dealing a heavy blow to the global economic recovery. Haven investments the yen and Swiss franc rallied but the dollar floundered. US crude oil … Read more

Moderna sees fewer 2021 vaccine deliveries, shares drop

Moderna

NEW YORK – Moderna cut its 2021 forecast for Covid-19 vaccine deliveries on Thursday, pushing back some doses to next year and sending shares sharply lower. The biotech company, which has soared to prominence this year on the success of its coronavirus vaccine, cited longer delivery times for international shipments. Other factors concern “temporary” impacts associated … Read more

PM Imran Khan, COAS Gen Qamar Bajwa briefed on coronavirus situation in country

PM and gen Bajwa

Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa were briefed on the coronavirus situation in the country on Monday, said a statement issued by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). A statement issued by the country’s nerve centre against the coronavirus said that the PM and the … Read more

Educational institutes to resume normal classes from Oct 11: Asad Umar

Federal Government schools

After witnessing a decline in the spread of the coronavirus, Planning Minister Asad Umar announced on Thursday that the National Command and Operation Centre has given the go-ahead to schools for the resumption of “normal classes” from October 11. “Based on the reduced level of disease spread and the launch of the school vaccination programme, … Read more

Pakistan reports over 1,600 new coronavirus cases

corona in pakistan

Pakistan has reported new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the daily tally has reached 1,664 while the positivity rate stands at 3.21%. 1,664 new coronavirus infections have appeared after 51,796 tests were taken over a period of 24 hours across the country, stated the latest statistics of the National Command and Operation … Read more

Punjab to boost Covid-19 vaccination drive in the province

corona in punjab

Punjab health authorities to boost the Covid-19 vaccination drive in the province. Punjab has decided to constrict restrictions to accomplish the aims set for Covid-19 inoculation in the province. Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Imran Sikandar Baloch stated that the wedding halls and marquees will particularly be reviewed on September 28 for amenability on … Read more

Pakistan’s COVID-19 positivity rate below 4% for the third day, NCOC

corona sop

Pakistan has recorded a drop in its daily COVID-19 cases, as the country reported 1,757 new infections during the last 24 hours, stated the National Command and Operation Centre’s (NCOC) data. According to the data issued by NCOC, as many as 48,732 coronavirus tests were led in the last 24 hours across the country, of … Read more

Travel SOPS extended for inbound passengers till Oct 31, CAA

US travel

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has extended the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) for incoming passengers till October 31. A ban on travel to Pakistan from Category C countries will continue in place with the exclusion of passengers having a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the aviation regulator, stated the notification. However, the countries that are … Read more

Pfizer, BioNTech claim vaccines are safe for children aged 5-11

NCOC Issues Guidelines To Administer Pfizer Vaccine

Pfizer and BioNTech stated that their mutually manufactured coronavirus vaccine was safe and operational for children between the ages of 5 and 11. However, Pakistan is one of the countries to administer Pfizer-BioNTech inoculation to school children. In a united statement issued on Monday, both pharmaceutical companies stated: “In participants 5 to 11 years of … Read more

Pakistan observes a decline in COVID-19 cases

Pakistan confirms 372 new COVID-19 cases, 6 more deaths

Pakistan has reported less than 50 daily COVID-19 deaths for the first time in over a month. 40 more patients fell victim to COVID-19 during the last 24 hours in the country, stated the latest statistics of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC). However, the country last reported 46 deaths on August 4. Whereas, … Read more

Pakistan exit UK’s travel red list

White House is considering reopening to vaccinated international travelers

Pakistan will finally exit the United Kingdom’s red list on September 22 (Wednesday), declared the country’s Secretary of State for Transport Rt Hon Grant Shapps. According to the British official Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Oman, Bangladesh, Kenya, Turkey, Egypt, and the Maldives are among the eight countries that are set to be detached from England’s red … Read more

Pakistan receives 0.5 mln doses of Sputnik vaccine from Russia

sputnik V

Pakistan has received 0.5 million doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, stated the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The authority made the announcement on its official Twitter handle and stated that the vaccine will arrive on September 16 and has been handed over to the Ministry of National Health and Services, Regulations, and Coordination. Another … Read more

Free Pfizer booster shots for health workers in Sindh

Pfizer says to sell 10 mn Covid-19 treatments to US for $5.3 bn

According to a notification published by the health department of Sindh, free Pfizer coronavirus booster shots to all healthcare workers is to be provided in the province by the Sindh government. The notification by the department said that the healthcare workers were at greater risk of being affected by the virus and getting infested with … Read more

Punjab to reopen educational institutes from September 16

university of punjab

According to the notification issued by the Punjab Higher Education Department (HED), the re-opening of higher education institutes will be on 16 September across the province. A notification, shared by University of Punjab (UTP) Vice-Chancellor Niaz Ahmad Akhtar on Twitter, said that the conclusion to reopen the institutes has been taken in the enactment of … Read more

Businesses to remain open till 10 pm, Sindh govt

Punjab shops

In view of the decreasing cases of COVID-19 cases in Sindh, the provincial government on Wednesday eased some coronavirus-related restrictions. The Sindh Home Department, markets, shops, and other businesses are permitted to remain open till 10 pm with severe observance to COVID-19 SOPs across the province, stated the notification. Whereas, markets will remain closed on … Read more

Punjab govt imposes lockdown in five districts

The Punjab government has forced lockdown in five regions of the province till 22 September. Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch has declared lockdown limitations in five districts of Punjab, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Sargodha, and Gujrat, due to high Covid-19 positivity rate. Secretary health said, “Business centers in this district will … Read more

NCOC to ease Coronavirus restrictions

Pakistan to start COVID vaccination of children aged 12 years and older

The National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) has declared to ease constraints following the decline in the coronavirus cases amidst the fourth wave of pandemics. The meeting presided by Asad Umar, head of the National Command and Operations Center, revised the coronavirus condition in detail across the country and significant conclusions were made. Whereas, the … Read more

No traveling through train for unvaccinated people, Pakistan Railways

Pakistan Railways

Pakistan Railways has declared that people who are not vaccinated would not be issued train tickets after September 15. Pakistan Railways has also made it mandatory for the staff members to get COVID-19 vaccination. All trains are functioning with 70 percent passengers and strict application on COVID SOPs, stated a spokesperson for Pakistan Railways. He … Read more

Students aged 15 and above in Sindh to get vaccinated

Students In Pakistan Wakeup To Go To Schools Today

According to a notification issued by the Sindh Education Department that the school students aged 15 years and above will get vaccinated. The extent is being taken in acquiescence with the COVID-19 inoculation policy for students aged 15 years and above. Stated the notification. The education department has gratified school management to deliver the details … Read more

Sindh Health Minister receives vaccine from U.S consul

Pfizer, BioNtech Seek Permission To Administer Third Dose Of Vaccine

The United States has supplied an apportionment of 320,580 Pfizer vaccine doses to Sindh. US Consul General in Karachi Mark Stroh offered over vaccine doses batch to Sindh Minister of Health Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho. Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho greeted the arrival of 320,580 new Pfizer vaccines through the COVAX facility sent by the … Read more

“Virus can reduce if people vaccinate, maintain social distancing”: Dr Faisal Sultan

Provision of better health facilities to masses Govt’s top priority: SAPM Faisal

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan has on Monday said that the coronavirus is still active in Pakistan.

Speaking at a ceremony, Dr Faisal Sultan has warned the masses that now is not the time to take off masks.

He added that the outbreak of the virus can be reduced if people vaccinate and maintain social distancing.

Further updating about COVID-19 vaccinations, Dr Sultan informed that almost 20 million people have been immunized against the infection in Pakistan.

He, however, warned that only abiding by the SOPs will keep the fourth COVID-19 wave under control.

The SAPM further talked about vaccinations and stated that vaccines only prevent side effects of the disease, adding that people should continue to wear masks.

Pakistan reported a coronavirus positivity rate of 5.62% on Monday. Since August 24, Pakistan’s positivity rate has been under 7%, 19 out of 21 days.

Earlier, NCOC chairman Asad Umar had said in a Tweet, “In the early days of the vaccination campaign we had set a daunting target of vaccinating 7 crore people by the end of this year. Happy to report that 5 crore people have now received at least 1 dose. More than 2 crores fully vaccinated. Inshallah will meet & surpass the target.”

The Coronavirus situation in Pakistan is intensifying, with 83 deaths recorded in one day and more than 3,600 cases reported.

On the other hand, in view of the increasing cases of Coronavirus, Deputy Commissioner Korangi, after identifying the hotspot areas, imposed smart lockdown in certain areas and streets of Korangi. The implementation of smart lockdown will remain in force for two weeks till September 23.

Cases were reported in UC 10 and Model Colony UC 1 area of ​​Korangi. DC Korangi said that lockdown has been imposed in 13 UCs after 13 Coronavirus cases were reported.

Micro-smart lockdown has also been imposed in Union Council No. 10 of Korangi sub-division and Union Council No. 1 of Model sub-division, according to the notification issued by the District Health Officer.

The notification said that there would be a complete ban on any kind of gatherings and events in the micro-smart lockdown areas and strict implementation of SOPs in the hotspot areas.

According to the notification, the use of masks in the areas with micro-smart lockdown has been made mandatory and it has been stated that Assistant Commissioner Korangi and Assistant Commissioner Model will make sure the implementation of the SOPs in the areas with smart lockdown in their respective sub-divisions.

Read more

925 new COVID-19 cases reported in Sindh

corona in pak

925 new cases have occurred during the past 24 hours in the Sindh province, stated Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. Whereas, 17 people have lost their lives to Covid-19. The chief minister said that 17 patients of COVID-19 lost their lives in a day, lifting the death toll to 7,133. “16,775 samples were tested … Read more

College students to get COVID-19 vaccination for students in Karachi

College students in Karachi will get COVID-19 vaccination. The vaccination drive has been started for students in the government colleges of the province. So far, 5,667 students have been vaccinated, stated the Directorate of Colleges. Whereas, the Sindh government has decided to initiate the COVID inoculation of grade-9 to 12 students in schools and colleges … Read more

Islamabad imposes micro smart lockdown in 11 sectors

micro lockdown in isb

The region administration has levied a micro smart lockdown in 11 sectors of Islamabad in an attempt to control the increasing coronavirus cases in the city. The measure is taken for the people to strictly restrict in these areas for two weeks. F7/1 – streets 32, 40, F10/2 – streets 17, 18 E11/2 – streets … Read more

Covid-19 upsurge in Sindh with 1082 fresh cases reported

Pakistan Coronavirus

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah declared in a statement that 27 more patients of COVID-19 died and 1,082 new cases occurred during the past 24 hours in Sindh. The CM in a statement said that 27 more patients of COVID-19 lost their lives lifting the death toll to 7,116 that constituted a 1.6 percent … Read more

Smart lockdown imposed in several areas of Karachi

Karachi: Micro Smart Lockdown Implemented In Central District

Smart lockdown has been imposed by the Sindh government in several neighborhoods in Karachi’s Korangi in an attempt to control the rising coronavirus cases. The strict lockdown is implemented on the movement of people living in these areas from September 9 to September 23. Korangi UC-10 – Street 1, Bhittai Colony Korangi UC-10 – Street … Read more

NCOC-Meeting NCOC extends special NPIs till Sept 15 in 24 high risk districts

Pakistan to start COVID vaccination of children aged 12 years and older

ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Thursday decided to extend special non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) till September 15 that have been enforced till 12th September in 24 high disease risk districts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). The NCOC during its daily session carried out a review of special … Read more