ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister for Planning and Development, Asad Umar, warned on Sunday that COVID-19 cases in the country could double by the end of the month, and even spill over the one million mark by the end of July.
Coronavirus cases in the country surged to almost 140,000 on Sunday with 2,632 deaths so far recorded.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Umar said over 2,000 patients across the country were already occupying oxygen-supported beds and added the federal government would ensure enhancing the availability of these beds across Pakistan.
Umar’s grim projections came a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan ruled out a comprehensive lockdown in the country.
While addressing a press conference in Lahore on Saturday alongside Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and Punjab’s health minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Khan said “selective lockdowns” based on tracking and tracing cases would be imposed as opposed to a sweeping lockdown. Khan added the country’s administration and police could not take on the huge burden of a complete lockdown.
Pakistani authorities had identified and sealed off nearly 1,300 hot spots to contain the rising trajectory of new coronavirus infections.
In March, the country put its entire population of nearly 220 million people under lockdown, but the government has since eased restrictions, saying it was necessary to save the country’s economy. The move has caused a huge surge in cases, with health care facilities in some cities reporting an inability to cope.
Since then, Khan has consistently resisted demands from experts to reinforce the lockdown and authorities are now using the term “smart lockdown” to close shops and markets where confirmed cases have increased in recent weeks.
Khan on Saturday said the public had not been taking government mandated SOP’s seriously so far, and warned that there would be “consequences” going forward if COVID-19 protocols were not followed.
Pakistan says coronavirus cases could cross one million by July end
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Pakistan says coronavirus cases could cross one million by July end
- By Saturday, authorities had sealed 1,300 coronavirus hotspots across Pakistan
- COVID-19 cases soared to almost 140,000 with a record 6,825 new infections reported in a single day
Pakistan rejects ‘baseless’ Indian media reports of deploying nuclear-capable missile
- Indian media outlets reported Pakistan used ‘Shaheen’ ballistic missile during recent conflict with Delhi
- Pakistan’s foreign office says “inflammatory and unverified” content by Indian media undermines regional stability
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson on Monday rejected “baseless” reports by the Indian media which claimed Islamabad had deployed its nuclear-capable ‘Shaheen’ missile against India in the recent conflict between the two countries.
India and Pakistan were involved in the worst fighting between the two nuclear-armed neighbors since 1999 earlier this month. Both Pakistan and India struck each other with missiles, fighter jets, drones and artillery fire for four days before US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on May 10.
The Indian Army shared a video on Twitter on Sunday purportedly showing the use of Pakistan’s Shaheen missile. The video was picked up by several Indian media outlets, such as NDTV and News Arena India.
The Indian Army, however, deleted the video from its Twitter account upon realizing “the claim was unsubstantiated,” Pakistan’s foreign office said.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly rejected the unfounded allegations circulating in certain segments of the Indian media, which falsely claim that Pakistan employed the Shaheen missile during Operation Bunyanun Marsoos (BM),” the foreign office spokesperson said.
He said some Indian outlets have continued to propagate the “misinformation,” noting that the Indian Army has not offered any clarification or retraction on the matter.
“Analysts observe that such disinformation campaigns are part of a deliberate attempt to obscure India’s setbacks in Operation Sindoor, which were a result of Pakistan’s demonstrated conventional military capabilities,” it said.
“Additionally, these fabricated stories align with New Delhi’s ongoing efforts to promote a misleading narrative regarding the ceasefire and baseless allegations of so-called ‘nuclear blackmail’ by Pakistan.”
The foreign office said Pakistan Army had mentioned the use of the weapons it used against India in a press release issued by the military’s media wing on May 12.
It said the army used precision-guided, long-range Fatah series missiles— F1 and F2— as well as advanced munitions, highly capable long-range loitering killer drones and precision long-range artillery.
“Disseminating unverified and inflammatory content not only undermines regional stability but also reflects poorly on the professionalism of official institutions,” the foreign office said.
India’s defense minister last week urged the International Atomic Energy Agency to take charge of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, calling Pakistan an “irresponsible and rogue” nation.
Pakistan responded by saying that India’s “irresponsible remarks reveal his profound insecurity and frustration regarding Pakistan’s effective defense and deterrence against Indian aggression through conventional means.”
Both India and Pakistan have fought two out of three wars since 1947 over the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir. They both administer parts of the territory but claim it in full.
Pakistani firms sign $13 million contracts at first Pakistan-Bahrain investment summit
- Around 25 Pakistani companies, over 125 delegates took part in day-long summit on May 17
- Pakistani companies represented IT, stock exchange, tourism and other sectors, says organizer
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani companies signed contracts worth over $13 million related to various investment projects at the first edition of the Pakistan-Bahrain Investment Summit last week, the chief organizer of the event said on Monday.
The day-long event titled ‘Pakistan-Bahrain Investment Opportunities Summit and Smart Expo,’ organized by the Pakistan Association of Exhibition Industry (PAEI) with the Pakistani embassy in Bahrain, was held in Manama on May 17.
Over 125 Pakistani delegates showcased investment-ready projects across various sectors, attracting strong interest from the overseas Pakistani community and business leaders from Bahrain.
“The event was truly remarkable, featuring 25 Pakistani companies and more than 125 delegates where in just one day, contracts worth $13 million were signed across various investment projects in different sectors,” Mohammad Khurshid Barlas, PAEI founder, told Arab News over the phone from Bahrain.
“This figure is expected to increase further as many leads generated during the event are currently in follow-up stages and likely to mature soon,” he added.
Barlas said the participating Pakistani companies and delegates represented various sectors such as information technology, stock exchange, tourism, human resource services and real estate.
“Throughout the day the event was attended by more than 20,000 delegates from the Pakistani community and business leaders and representatives from Bahrain,” Barlas disclosed.
During the summit, he said discussions focused on a wide range of topics including the stock exchange, capital markets, overseas employment, real estate and tourism.
“The event is expected to significantly boost trade with Bahrain and attract further investment into Pakistan,” Barlas said.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bahrain Saqib Rauf said the event marks the beginning of “a promising series of engagements we plan to organize in Bahrain.”
“We are in continuous dialogue with the business communities of both countries and envision future events to focus on specific sectors of mutual interest,” he said.
“Our goal is to foster synergies between businesses and deepen trade and investment ties, paving the way for a stronger and more dynamic partnership between our nations.”
Zahid Latif Khan, chairman of ZLK Islamic Financial Services, a premier brokerage and financial services provider at the Pakistan Stock Exchange, said the event provided an excellent opportunity to engage with businesses from across the Middle East.
“People in the region are viewing Pakistan from a very positive perspective as we witnessed a renewed sense of hope and enthusiasm for doing business and trade with Pakistan,” Khan told Arab News.
Latif said he also highlighted the vast potential of the Pakistan Stock Exchange, which drew strong interest from business leaders in Bahrain.
“As the founder of the first Islamic brokerage house in Pakistan, I met with representatives from Bahrain’s Central Bank who were also present at the conference and their response was very encouraging, and I look forward to exploring further opportunities,” Latif added.
According to Pakistan’s foreign office, Pakistan’s trade with Bahrain ranges between $500 million and $1 billion. Major exports include meat, vegetables, rice, tobacco and textiles.
Imports from Bahrain include petroleum and its products, ferrous waste, scrap and aluminum.
The investment summit takes place amid Islamabad’s efforts to increase foreign trade and investment with its allies, especially the Gulf estates, as it hopes to recover from an economic crisis.
Pakistan formed the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in June 2023 to attract international investment in key economic sectors such as mines, minerals, agriculture, livestock and tourism.
Pakistan stock market sees ‘slower’ activity as investors remain cautious before budget
- KSE-100 index surges 40.49 points or by 0.03 percent to reach 119,689.63 points
- Pakistan is set to unveil its federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025–26 in June
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) surged by only 0.03 percent when trading ended on Monday, with a financial analyst attributing it to “slower trading activity” as investors remain cautious ahead of the upcoming federal budget to be announced by the government.
Pakistan’s federal budget for the next fiscal year, starting July, will be finalized within the next three weeks. Pakistan’s scheduled budget talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which began on May 14 are scheduled to take place till May 23, the finance ministry had said.
The KSE-100 index surged by 40.49 points or 0.03 percent to reach 119,689.63 points when the market closed at 4 p.m. on Monday, data from the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) said.
“The KSE100 has started the week on a muted note, which is reflecting in slower trading activity,” Raza Jafri, head of Intermarket Securities, told Arab News.
“It is possible that investors are waiting for the FY26 Budget, expected in early June, before they become more active.”
Pakistan’s stock market suffered an upheaval triggered by the most intense military row between Pakistan and India in years earlier this month. The two nuclear-armed nations agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10 after pounding each other with missiles, drones, artillery and fighter jets for four days.
The crisis triggered a 12 percent decline in the Pakistani stock market from April 23 till May 8.
However, the market recovered nearly all of its losses last week, climbing more than 3,500 points.
Fire erupts in Islamabad’s Margalla Hills, containment efforts underway
- The blaze erupted near Saidpur Darra, Jungle Number 15 and Rumli areas
- Over 70 firefighters are participating in the operation to put out the blaze
ISLAMABAD: A wildfire erupted in the Margalla Hills in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Monday, the Islamabad district administration said, with efforts underway to put out the blaze.
The Margalla range, part of the Himalayan foothills, often experiences bushfires in the summer months. Last year, several incidents of forest fire were reported at the hills as various parts of the country remained in the grip of intense heatwaves.
On Monday, a fire broke out near Saidpur Darra, Jungle Number 15 and Rumli areas on the hills, prompting an immediate response from the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) fire brigade and officials of the district administration.
“More than 70 firefighters are participating in the operation to control the fire,” the district administration said in a statement.
“The fire was brought under control once, but it broke out again.”
No casualties or property damage have been reported in the wake of the fire, according to authorities.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
“The fire will be brought under control again soon,” the district administration added.
Death toll from IED blast in Pakistan’s southwest rises to four
- Pakistan has been battling a separatist insurgency in Balochistan for decades
- The attack comes days after four paramilitary troops were killed in the province
QUETTA: At least four people have been killed and 12 others wounded in a bomb blast in Pakistan’s turbulent southwestern province of Balochistan, a security official said Monday.
An improvised explosive device (IED) was planted in a parked car in Killa Abdullah district of Balochistan, less than 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the provincial capital of Quetta.
“It seems the IED exploded before reaching its intended destination,” a local security official, Ghulab Khan, told AFP.
“All those killed are civilian passersby,” he added.
Riaz Khan Dawar, a senior local government official, confirmed the details to AFP, adding the explosion took place close to a paramilitary compound on Sunday evening.
Pakistan has been battling a separatist insurgency in Balochistan for decades, where militants target state forces, foreign nationals, and non-locals in the mineral-rich southwestern province bordering Afghanistan and Iran.
The attack came days after four paramilitary troops were killed in the province.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is the most active group in the region and often carries out deadly attacks against security forces, but the local chapter of Daesh and the Pakistani Taliban have also claimed recent attacks.
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in violence in its regions bordering Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021, with Islamabad accusing its western neighbor of allowing its soil to be used for attacks against Pakistan — a claim the Taliban deny.
In Balochistan, separatist violence has intensified, including a March attack by ethnic Baloch militants on a train carrying 450 passengers, which sparked a two-day siege and left dozens dead.
More than 241 people, mostly security officials, have been killed in attacks since the start of the year by armed groups fighting the government in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, according to an AFP tally.
