Pak-US relations 'normal' despite no call between Biden, PM Imran Khan: US diplomat

The US' spokesperson for the Office of International Media Engagement Zed Tarar has said that no telephone call from President Joe Biden to Prime Minister Imran Khan in over six months doesn’t mean that US-Pakistan relations are not functioning well.

“The officials of the two administrations are in regular contact with each other and cooperating at various levels, as normal. I don’t want to go into the logistics of the telephone call matter. Only a few days ago, the US gave three million vaccine doses to Pakistan as a goodwill gesture,” Zed Tarar said, during an interaction with Pakistani media.

The diplomat said that US-Pakistan relations are based on “mutual respect” and the two countries have an “old friendship”. He said that it is actions that speak and that is reflected in the relations between the two countries.

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DELEGATION OF AFGHAN JOURNALISTS CALLS ON COAS BAJWA

A delegation of Afghan journalists has met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters (GHQ), ARY News quoted the spokesperson of the military’s media wing on Friday.

A 15-member delegations of Afghan media paid a visit to GHQ and met COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Speaking at the occasion, COAS said media can act as a bridge to create conducive environment for promoting cultural / social and people to people engagement between the two countries.

coas bajwa afghan journalists media delegation ispr
“It is the responsibility of media and people to identify and defeat the spoilers of peace. Peace in Afghanistan is Pakistan’s earnest desire because peace of the two countries is interlinked,” COAS said, adding that the spoilers will not be allowed to derail peace process.

Referring to Pakistan’s comprehensive border management regime, COAS said security of borders is in the best interest of the two countries.

Alluding to the benefits of regional connectivity for the two countries, COAS highlighted the importance of restoration of peace in Afghanistan for sustainable development of the region.

coas bajwa afghan journalists media delegation ispr
Appreciating Pak-Afghan Youth Forum’s initiative for organising the journalists’ visit, COAS hoped for more frequent exchange of visits in future. Pak- Afghan youth is the hope for future peace and progress of the region, COAS concluded.

The Afghan journalists thanked COAS for the opportunity for candid interaction and appreciated Pakistan’s sincerity and efforts for Afghan people including hosting of refugees and facilitative role in Afghan peace process.

 

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DELEGATION OF AFGHAN JOURNALISTS CALLS ON COAS BAJWA

A delegation of Afghan journalists has met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters (GHQ), ARY News quoted the spokesperson of the military’s media wing on Friday.

A 15-member delegations of Afghan media paid a visit to GHQ and met COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Speaking at the occasion, COAS said media can act as a bridge to create conducive environment for promoting cultural / social and people to people engagement between the two countries.

coas bajwa afghan journalists media delegation ispr
“It is the responsibility of media and people to identify and defeat the spoilers of peace. Peace in Afghanistan is Pakistan’s earnest desire because peace of the two countries is interlinked,” COAS said, adding that the spoilers will not be allowed to derail peace process.

Referring to Pakistan’s comprehensive border management regime, COAS said security of borders is in the best interest of the two countries.

Alluding to the benefits of regional connectivity for the two countries, COAS highlighted the importance of restoration of peace in Afghanistan for sustainable development of the region.

coas bajwa afghan journalists media delegation ispr
Appreciating Pak-Afghan Youth Forum’s initiative for organising the journalists’ visit, COAS hoped for more frequent exchange of visits in future. Pak- Afghan youth is the hope for future peace and progress of the region, COAS concluded.

The Afghan journalists thanked COAS for the opportunity for candid interaction and appreciated Pakistan’s sincerity and efforts for Afghan people including hosting of refugees and facilitative role in Afghan peace process.

 

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SINDH POSTPONES INTER, MATRIC EXAMS

The Sindh government postponed on Friday intermediate and matriculation exams that were scheduled to take place next week as it announced a province-wide lockdown from Sunday to control the fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said a “partial lockdown” was being imposed for a week from July 31, Sunday, till August 8 due to rising cases of Delta variant that first emerged in India.

Following are the restrictions that will be imposed in the province

Grocery stores, meat shops, and milk shops will stay open till 6pm.
Restaurants will remain open only for deliveries and takeaways will be banned
Markets will remain closed
Pharmacies and medical facilities will remain open round the clock
Public transport will operate partially with some Covid-19 restrictions
Movement of media persons wearing masks will be allowed
Earlier today, the Sindh government announced to impose a lockdown in the province from July 31 (tomorrow) until August 08 after an abnormal surge in COVID-19 cases especially in Karachi.

The decision was taken by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah during a meeting of the COVID task force that was specially attended by opposition leaders and traders. “Lockdown would remain in place in the province from July 31 to August 08,” Murad Ali Shah said.

Later addressing a press conference, CM Murad clarified that it was not a complete lockdown where we shut down everything barring no exception however, this time we are making a number of exceptions whose list we will share.

 

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Pandemic won't end after 9-day lockdown 'but hospitals will not choke up': Sindh CM

After the Sindh government on Friday announced a nine-day lockdown in Karachi — from July 31 to August 8 — Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah addressed a press conference to respond to concerns and criticism regarding the decision.

The chief minister said that it is being said that "it is not as if the pandemic will end in nine days", but what must be understood is that in this period "hospitals will not choke".

Answering a question regarding why a nine-day lockdown was announced, versus a 15-day one, Shah said that the task force, in its meeting today, acknowledged that this period — which amounts to five actual days of lockdown as four days will be regular off days for businesses anyway — will be one "that will cause minimum economic damage".

He added that doctors concurred that "something is better than nothing".

"At least a break will be provided — think of it as a speed breaker slowing things down," Shah said.

"Then, when we reopen, I hope people will continue to follow SOPs, so we are not forced to repeat such a move," the chief minister said.

Shah said that after the meeting, he spoke to National Command and Operation Centre chief Asad Umar, as well as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan "and both assured me of the Centre's cooperation".

"Whatever we have notified is after consultations and taking NCOC on board."

The Sindh chief minister said that the order extends to all of Sindh "but our focus is on Karachi because it is the worst off".

He said that no exams will take place from Monday-Friday and the two weekends that fall within the lockdown period.

Shah, responding to whether private organisations will be required to remain shut, said that the government "is advising that they do remain shut or keep staff to a minimum".

"The purpose is for no one to exit their home, unless there is an emergency," he explained.

The Sindh chief minister urged all the media persons to encourage everyone to get vaccinated, as all vaccines offer protection.

"Vaccinated individuals are an extremely low percentage of those people who die due to coronavirus," he said.

Shah said that in the next nine days, people should "forget about everything else, and just focus on getting vaccinated".

He acknowledged that people might have to queue up in long lines to get themselves inoculated "but this is in your own benefit".

To a question, he said that the government is trying to increase the number of vaccination centres and mobile vaccination centres, and is mulling on a suggestion by the ulema to have mosques and imambargahs used for the exercise.

The Sindh chief minister said that those wearing a mask "will not be caught", whereas he "won't be able to anyone found not wearing one".

Shah said that the lockdown being put into practice now is not as severe as the one that was in place last year in March, and gave credit to the swift and steadfast lockdown in March 2020 as being one of the primary reasons for COVID infections not overwhelming the province.

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SINDH POSTPONES INTER, MATRIC EXAMS

The Sindh government postponed on Friday intermediate and matriculation exams that were scheduled to take place next week as it announced a province-wide lockdown from Sunday to control the fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said a “partial lockdown” was being imposed for a week from July 31, Sunday, till August 8 due to rising cases of Delta variant that first emerged in India.

Following are the restrictions that will be imposed in the province

Grocery stores, meat shops, and milk shops will stay open till 6pm.
Restaurants will remain open only for deliveries and takeaways will be banned
Markets will remain closed
Pharmacies and medical facilities will remain open round the clock
Public transport will operate partially with some Covid-19 restrictions
Movement of media persons wearing masks will be allowed
Earlier today, the Sindh government announced to impose a lockdown in the province from July 31 (tomorrow) until August 08 after an abnormal surge in COVID-19 cases especially in Karachi.

The decision was taken by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah during a meeting of the COVID task force that was specially attended by opposition leaders and traders. “Lockdown would remain in place in the province from July 31 to August 08,” Murad Ali Shah said.

Later addressing a press conference, CM Murad clarified that it was not a complete lockdown where we shut down everything barring no exception however, this time we are making a number of exceptions whose list we will share.

 

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Pandemic won't end after 9-day lockdown 'but hospitals will not choke up': Sindh CM

After the Sindh government on Friday announced a nine-day lockdown in Karachi — from July 31 to August 8 — Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah addressed a press conference to respond to concerns and criticism regarding the decision.

The chief minister said that it is being said that "it is not as if the pandemic will end in nine days", but what must be understood is that in this period "hospitals will not choke".

Answering a question regarding why a nine-day lockdown was announced, versus a 15-day one, Shah said that the task force, in its meeting today, acknowledged that this period — which amounts to five actual days of lockdown as four days will be regular off days for businesses anyway — will be one "that will cause minimum economic damage".

He added that doctors concurred that "something is better than nothing".

"At least a break will be provided — think of it as a speed breaker slowing things down," Shah said.

"Then, when we reopen, I hope people will continue to follow SOPs, so we are not forced to repeat such a move," the chief minister said.

Shah said that after the meeting, he spoke to National Command and Operation Centre chief Asad Umar, as well as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan "and both assured me of the Centre's cooperation".

"Whatever we have notified is after consultations and taking NCOC on board."

The Sindh chief minister said that the order extends to all of Sindh "but our focus is on Karachi because it is the worst off".

He said that no exams will take place from Monday-Friday and the two weekends that fall within the lockdown period.

Shah, responding to whether private organisations will be required to remain shut, said that the government "is advising that they do remain shut or keep staff to a minimum".

"The purpose is for no one to exit their home, unless there is an emergency," he explained.

The Sindh chief minister urged all the media persons to encourage everyone to get vaccinated, as all vaccines offer protection.

"Vaccinated individuals are an extremely low percentage of those people who die due to coronavirus," he said.

Shah said that in the next nine days, people should "forget about everything else, and just focus on getting vaccinated".

He acknowledged that people might have to queue up in long lines to get themselves inoculated "but this is in your own benefit".

To a question, he said that the government is trying to increase the number of vaccination centres and mobile vaccination centres, and is mulling on a suggestion by the ulema to have mosques and imambargahs used for the exercise.

The Sindh chief minister said that those wearing a mask "will not be caught", whereas he "won't be able to anyone found not wearing one".

Shah said that the lockdown being put into practice now is not as severe as the one that was in place last year in March, and gave credit to the swift and steadfast lockdown in March 2020 as being one of the primary reasons for COVID infections not overwhelming the province.

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