Tue, 21-Oct-2025

COVID-19: Fawad Chaudhry warns of a complete lockdown if the situation worsens

Fawad Justifies fuel price hike, links to global oil rates

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has on Saturday appealed to the nation to take the ongoing COVID-19 wave seriously and to strictly adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) to tackle this deadly virus.

Speaking at a news conference in Karachi, Fawad warned that the government would take drastic steps, like complete lockdown, if the pattern of increase in COVID-19 cases persists.

The Minister said currently we are consuming 90 percent Oxygen of our total supply while the positivity ratio of cases has jumped to 11 percent.

He said for full compliance to SOPs of COVID-19, the government has decided to seek help from the military as our implementation percentage is just 21 percent.

The Information Minister has urged all political parties, Ulema and people with influence to play their role in the implementation of SOPs.

“I am happy that Maryam Nawaz has decided to cancel her visit to Karachi,” he said.

Fawad Chaudhry further added, “I pray that the Indian people get relief from this problem soon.”

The Minister said we are taking steps to resolve the issues of print and electronic media including salaries of workers.

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Sindh: All Shrines To Remain Shut Till April 6 Over COVID Spike

Shrines to shut in Sindh

Following the sharp increase in Coronavirus cases amidst the ongoing third layer, the Sindh government has announced to shut all the shrines and Dargahs till April 6, 2021. A notification to close all the shrines across the province has been issued by Sindh’s Auqaf Department. The closure of shrines and Dargahs will be effective from … Read more

Karachi: Micro-Smart Lockdown Foisted In Three Areas Of District Central

Karachi micro-smart lockdown

A micro-smart lockdown has been foisted in three areas of Karachi’s district central, a notification issued in this regard said.

The lockdown in these areas will be effective from March 17 (Wednesday) for the upcoming 14 days, until March 31.

The notification further stated that the lockdown comes into effect, including nine union councils (UCs) of North Karachi, North Nazimabad, and Gulberg.

The notification read, “In pursuance of the recommendations of the district health officer regarding the emerging hotspots with respect to the spread of COVID-19 and powers conferred in Section 3(3) of the Sindh Epidemic diseases Act 2014, it is hereby ordered that a micro smart lockdown is to be enforced in the specified areas for a period of two weeks.”

Lockdown in Karachi's District Central

Earlier in the day, Peshawar has imposed a micro smart lockdown in different areas of the city following the surge in COVID-19 cases.

The district administration in this regard said that micro-smart lockdown is being executed only in streets and small areas. The unnecessary movement has been outlawed in the areas where lockdown has been forced.

Only grocery stores, medical stores, and Tandoors will remain open in the affected areas. Moreover, wedding halls and restaurants will be completely sealed.

Previously, Sindh had announced a smart lockdown with immediate effect till April 15th, 2021.

According to the notification, amusement parks will be closed by 6 pm.

Moreover, indoor weddings will not be allowed. Only outdoor weddings and events will be allowed with the upper limit of 300 persons till 10 pm. Events will be held under defined SOPs.

Indoor dining will not be allowed. Only outdoor dinings, takeaways, and home delivery will be allowed.

Apart from that, indoor gyms, indoor sports facilities, cinemas, theatres, and shrines will remain closed.

People have been directed to wear the mask and follow social distancing at all public and private offices.

Work from home will be allowed with 50% of the staff in public/private offices.

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