ISLAMABAD: Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed has suspended eight policemen over charges of corruption, a police spokesman said on Saturday.
He said that suspended policemen included six Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs), one head constable and a constable. The complaints regarding corruption were received against these policemen and inquiry into complaints has been now marked to Superintendents of Police (SPs) of their respective areas.
The SPs would submit inquiry report within 48 hours following which further action would be initiated against them on basis of reports.
The DIG (Operations), Waqar Uddin Syed said that a policy of zero tolerance against corruption is pursued in Islamabad Police as this menace seriously undermines the country.
Islamabad Police, following directions of IGP Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan, have started an accountability system to monitor performance of the police officials and disciplinary action is taken against those involved in dereliction of duties, negligence, poor investigation, absence and involvement in corruption.
The DIG (Operations) said that accountability system helps in improving the performance of any department and working of the staff can be easily judged through it.
He said that such accountability system would continue in future and those performing well would be encouraged.
ISLAMABAD: In the light of the Supreme Court orders, the government on Wednesday decided to resume the normal services at hospitals and open the dispensaries in Islamabad.
The OPD (outdoor patients department) and other services at the hospitals, including the Polyclinic, would be opened gradually.
Similarly, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government followed the apex court’s directives about reopening the OPDs at all hospitals due to the problems faced by the people. However, social distancing would be ensured at the health facilities.
Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed earlier this week had observed that all the hospitals and clinics should remain functional.
Criticising the decision to shut the hospitals and their OPDs as well as dispensaries in Islamabad for other patients to focus on those infected by coronavirus, the chief justice said nothing had been done practically as only meeting, meeting was being played. “Protecting the people’s rights is our responsibility”, he added
What kind of medical emergency has been imposed when even the private hospitals and clinics are shut, he remarked.
The chief justice had passed these remarks while heading a five-member bench which was hearing a petition against the high court’s, orders to release the prisoners.
Meanwhile, the treatment services at the teaching hospitals in Punjab are facing a severe crisis due to the negligence of the Specialised Healthcare Department which shut the normal operations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
According to 24NewsHD, the hepatitis, TB and diabetes clinics have been shut because of which the patients are left clueless.
Moreover, the vaccination of children is also stopped after the closure of immunisation centres.
Meanwhile, the HIV centres are also among those services which have been closed, leaving the AIDS patients at the mercy of their circumstances.
None of the patients could neither have their medical check-up nor got any medicines.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gulberg Greens Islamabad for provision of Information Communication Technology (ICT) services and infrastructure in the society.
The signatories included Muhammad Shehzad Yousuf, Chief Business Operations Officer, PTCL and Shujaat Ullah Qureshi, Secretary, Intelligence Bureau Employees Cooperative Housing Society (IBECHS) Islamabad.
PTCL and IBECHS endeavor to transform Gulberg Greens into a smart city base, where the residents will be able to enjoy hi-speed, unlimited internet & bandwidth, crystal clear voice and Smart TV services with quality content.
On the occasion, Shehzad Yousuf, Chief Business Operations Officer, PTCL, said that “PTCL is committed to contribute towards the society by providing a robust ICT infrastructure and seamless services to the citizens in line with Prime Minister’s vision of a Digital Pakistan.”
Shujaat Ullah Qureshi, Secretary, IBECHS, said, “We feel privileged to partner with PTCL that will enable us to bridge the connectivity gap, provide uninterrupted services and move forward collectively to deliver better internet experience to residents of Gulberg Greens Islamabad.”
PTCL strives to provide communities with the necessary facilities and services that are pertinent for growth and endless possibilities.
ISLAMABAD: Serena Hotels employees have donated one day’s salary, with the company equally matching the donation as a goodwill gesture, to contribute Rs 10 million to the Prime Minister’s COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund.
The Serena Hotels started distributing rations to communities in locations surrounding their hotels countrywide, to support affected segments at a time when the global Coronavirus pandemic is wreaking havoc on the country’s economy.
More than 3400 deserving families and households in areas where Serena Hotels are located, including in Islamabad, Faisalabad, Quetta, Swat, Gilgit, Hunza, Shigar and Khaplu have been provided with rations that include food staples and essentials.
“Serena Hotels has always played its role as a responsible business and support the local communities through its extensive CSR initiatives, and community-friendly ethos,” said Aziz Boolani, CEO Serena Hotels.
“During this crisis we stand united with the Government, relief organizations and local community, and shall continue to extend our humble support”, he said
Only the weeks and months ahead will reveal the full impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on Mankind, and the losses to the local and global economy and business sectors, Booolani added.
However, it is already clear by early estimates that there will be far-reaching economic repercussions, with the under-resourced segments of society suffering the most, he continued.
“The severity of the situation calls for prudent measures and precautions to be taken to contain and manage this crisis,” he remarked.
Serena Hotels has implemented a comprehensive Coronavirus Response Plan that stringently follows the health and safety guidelines from the WHO and CDC, and directives from local Government Authorities.
The company has also launched a multimedia awareness campaign for the guests, employees and the public about virus precautionary measures.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and adapting our policies accordingly. We hope and pray to return to times of health and prosperity around the world again,” said Boolani.
ISLAMABAD: Another plane with medical equipment has arrived from China in Pakistan to aid the country to counter coronavirus on Thursday.
According to details, twenty containers including testing kits, masks and gloves reached Islamabad via special flight, PK-8552. The administration confirmed that three planes with medical equipment have arrived from China within past 24 hours.
Twenty containers including testing kits, masks and gloves reached Islamabad via special flight.
On the other hand, Pakistani has so far reported 31 deaths from novel coronavirus while the total number of cases has surged to 2,291.
845 patients have been tested positive for the epidemic in Punjab, 743 in Sindh, 276 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 187 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 169 in Balochistan, 62 in Islamabad and nine in Azad Kashmir.
So far, 107 patients have recovered in the country while 9 are in critical condition.
ISLAMABAD: Doctors have advised Nawaz Sharif, former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Supremo to stay in self-isolation due to coronavirus pandemic.
It has been stated in the report that the erstwhile premier has been advised by doctors to remain in self-isolation in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The report says that Nawaz Sharif is likely to get affected by the epidemic due to age factor and he cannot be taken to hospital as well.
The PML-N supremo was scheduled for heart checkup at the University Hospital Geneva. The dose of cardiac medicines of Nawaz Sharif has been increased and his veins have shrunk, the report said.
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad administration has started distributing rations among daily wage workers affected by the lockdown in the federal capital.
Lower income groups and daily wagers have been distressed ever since the lockdown was imposed across the country on Monday to contain the coronavirus spread.
In Islamabad, distribution of ration bags in multiple areas has started, confirmed Assistant Commissioner Asadullah in a Twitter post on Saturday.
He gave a “shout out” to donors who had helped the administration in their project. Free food and shelter is being provided to people across the city, he added.
Pakistan has reported around 1,300 cases of the virus so far. Ten fatalities have also taken place.
ISLAMABAD: Special plane carrying relief assistance from China to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic in Pakistan, has arrived in Islamabad.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi received the relief assistance at Islamabad International Airport and expressed gratitude to government and people of China, on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan.
A team of eight Chinese doctors has also arrived along side the special relief package. The team will review government’s steps taken to check spread of Coronavirus and provide technical support.
China’s assistance to Pakistan so far includes 12,000 test kits, 30 million masks, 10 thousand protective suits and 4 million dollars to build an isolation hospital.
Xinjiang government has also provided 50 thousand masks each to the Federal Capital as well as to Sindh government.
A considerable amount of donation by private sources from China has also arrived in Pakistan.
LAHORE: COVID-19 pandemic tightened grip on Pakistan as the country on Friday has reported nine deaths from novel coronavirus while the total number of cases have surged to 1296 as 440 patients have been tested positive for the epidemic in Sindh, 131 in Balochistan, 425 in Punjab, 180 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 91 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 27 in Islamabad and two in Azad Kashmir.
According to details, total number of patients who have recovered is 23.
National Coordination Committee (NCC) under the supervision of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has decided to limit the congregational prayers in mosques.
Following the orders, all the provinces have banned congregational prayers in mosques. The Friday prayers have also been limitized due to COVID-19 as only healthy people will be allowed to offer prayers in the mosques.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia Government, in wake of the spread the novel coronavirus pandemic across the globe, has halted signing of Hajj agreement with Pakistan.
According to a letter received by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Saudi government has stopped Pakistan not to make Hajj 2020 agreement.
The letter further stated that the agreement will not be made until the situation in country gets better.
ISLAMABAD: Toll of confirmed infections of coronavirus cases in Pakistan jumped to 1,102 on Thursday morning after new cases were reported in Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to the national dashboard, four new cases were reported in Sindh while Islamabad reported five new cases.
Deaths by the COVID-19 in the country has reached 8, while out of total 1102 infections confirmed by the Health authorities, the figure in Sindh reached to 417, Punjab 323, Balochistan 131, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 121, Islamabad 25, Gilgit Baltistan 84 and Azad Jammu Kashmir one.
Earlier, Balochistan had recorded 12 new cases in the province, taking the provincial tally to 131.
Gilgit Baltistan also reported three new cases in the region late Wednesday night, taking its toll to 84.
The country also reported its eighth death from the virus on Wednesday.
The national dashboard, maintained by the federal ministry of health, did not specify in which province the death has taken place. However, the Rawalpindi district administration said that a woman diagnosed with Covid-19 had passed away from the disease.
The woman had travelled from abroad and been under treatment since March 21. Her body has been returned to her village for her last rites.
Earlier deaths
Earlier, on Tuesday, Punjab had reported its first death from the virus.
On Sunday, Balochistan had reported its first death, a 65-year-old man, who had been under treatment at the Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital.
Earlier, a doctor from Gilgit Baltistan, who had been fighting against the virus on the frontlines, was reported as the fifth casualty.
On Sunday, March 22, Adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information Ajmal Wazir had announced the country’s fourth death from the virus.
On March 20, Pakistan had recorded its third death from the virus. Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho had confirmed the death of a 77-year-old COVID-19 patient in the province.
Two patients from KP who tested positive for the coronavirus were reported as the country’s first two deaths.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the number of cases in the province stands at 121, while the number of reported cases in Gilgit-Baltistan is 84.
In Punjab, the numbers of positive cases stand at 323.
Sindh remains the worst affected province by the coronavirus in the country so far, with a total of 413 coronavirus cases. In Islamabad, 25 patients have been confirmed to have contracted the virus and one in Azad Jammu Kashmir.
