ISTANBUL, MAR 31 – Turkish police charged four people, including the organisers and a DJ, after a weekend coronavirus house party in Istanbul where some guests dressed up as doctors, local officials said.The party, thrown at a villa in the Buyukcekmece district on Saturday night, was shared live on social media but received criticism for ignoring social distancing pleas.“These idiots have organised a home party somewhere in Istanbul” one Twitter user posted, adding that “those idiots!!!” would make it difficult to stop the spread of the virus.
Lockdown not a solution to coronavirus pandemic: Sindh governor
KARACHI, MAR 31 – Sindh Governor Imran Ismail opposed on Tuesday the lockdown in Sindh saying that he didn’t consider it a solution to the coronavirus pandemic.Governor Ismail, who is also a leader of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s PTI, told that the prime minister had already said that they couldn’t afford a lockdown in the country. But, he added, despite reservations over the provincial government’s decision, the federal government assured its full cooperation to Sindh.
Umar Akmal has destiny in his hands, says coach Misbah
LAHORE, MAR 31 – Pakistan’s head coach Misbah-ul-Haq on Tuesday urged troubled batsman Umar Akmal to discipline himself and focus on his cricket if he wants to revive his derailed career.Regarded as hugely talented, the 29-year-old Umar could face up to a lifetime ban after he was charged for not reporting match fixing offers, which led to his suspension in February.The Pakistan Cricket Board charged him under their anti-corruption code. His 14-day deadline to reply ends later Tuesday.
Umar urges people not to worry about food items
ISLAMABAD, MAR 31 – Planning Minister Asad Umar urged on Tuesday the masses not to worry about the availability of food items in the country.Umar was briefing the media in Islamabad. His statement came as the country continued to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.He said there was no shortage of flour in the country. The government would ensure supply of food to far-flung areas, the minister said.“The effectiveness of the lockdown cannot be denied, but taking rash decisions would be counterproductive,” Umar said.
FO accepts responsibility of allowing pilgrims to enter Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, MAR 31 (DNA) – Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui on Tuesday said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was responsible to allow pilgrims from Iran to enter the country.In a statement issued on Tuesday, she said that facilities were being improved by Pakistan at the Taftan border, adding that the thousands of pilgrims were facilitated after the coronavirus outbreak in the Iranian city of Qom.
Raiwind city under complete lockdown as coronavirus fears grow
LAHORE, MAR 31 (DNA) – In light of the fears regarding the coronavirus in the country, district administration has decided to completely lockdown Rawind city. All general stores and shops in Raiwind city have been closed down.According to Assistant commissioner Adnan Rashid, this action has been taken in light of the worsening coronavirus situation in the area. Initially, this complete lockdown will be in force for three days.
Govt urged to facilitate stranded overseas workers due to COVID -19
ISLAMABAD, MAR 31 (DNA) – Policy experts at an online Consultation called upon the government to facilitate thousands of overseas workers stranded in Pakistan due to COVID-19 pandemic across the world.The online consultation titled: ‘Migration/Border Management during COVID-19, was organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute here on Tuesday.Speaking on the occasion, Kashif Ahmed Noor, Director-General, Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Pakistanis, said the foreign remittances have already halved in these two months and are expected to decrease by $1 billion to 1.5 billion per year if the situation persists any longer. He said currently 10,000 to 11,000 households are estimated to be directly impacted.
Engineers, employees of NCA contribute salaries in COVID-19 relief fund
ISLAMABAD, MAR 31 (DNA) – To support national efforts in fight against COVID-19 , Scientists, Engineers and employees of National Command Authority (NCA) and Strategic Plans Division (SPD) have contributed their salaries in COVID-19 Relief Fund as under:-
– Employees of Special Pay Scale 11-14 – 3 days
– Employees of Special Pay Scale 8-10 – 2 days
– Employees of Special Pay Scale 1-7 – 1 day
General Nadeem Raza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee contributed one month’s pay in COVID-19 Relief Fund.=DNA
Pakistanis stranded at Bangkok airport to be brought back home
ISLAMABAD, MAR 28 – The government has decided to bring back the Pakistanis stranded at Bangkok Airport via a special plane.About 150 Pakistanis are presently stranded at Bangkok Airport. According to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, these travellers will be brought back by special plane at 8:00 pm on Saturday.In a statement issued by Zulfi Bukhari, he said that Pakistanis stranded abroad are being provided all possible assistance. The coronavirus pandemic has paralyzed the entire world but we are keeping a close eye on issues being faced by Pakistanis living in overseas countries according to the instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Prince Harry and Meghan now based in California: report
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have permanently relocated to California amid the coronavirus pandemic, media reports said Friday.The royal couple flew by private jet from Canada to Los Angeles last week before the border between the two countries closed because of the deadly virus outbreak.“Harry and Meghan have left Canada now for good,” a “royal insider” told the tabloid.“The borders were closing and flights were stopping. They had to get out.”The border between the US and Canada, the longest in the world, closed last week in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as both countries see escalating numbers of cases.
