Brief 12-07-2021

Smart lockdown has been imposed in five more sectors in Islamabad

Smart lockdown has been imposed in five more sectors in Islamabad today (Monday) due to increasing cases of coronavirus in the federal capital.
The areas included G-7/2, Soan Garden and Qurtaba Town.
The decision came after reported 15 deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 975,092. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 22,597 on Monday.
According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 1,808 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

Pakistan ‘cannot dictate to us’, Afghan Taliban spokesperson says

The spokesperson for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan Suhail Shaheen has said that Pakistan is welcome to help the Taliban arrive at a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan but it “cannot dictate to us or impose its views on us”. Shaheen’s remarks came during an interview with a TV channel on programme “Jirga” late Sunday night.

When asked how he views the Afghan Taliban’s relations with Pakistan to be, especially in the context of reports that the Taliban are not willing to listen to Pakistan, the spokesperson said: “We want brotherly relations. They are neighbours, a muslim country, and we have shared values — historical, religious and cultural.”

Euro 2020 final: Italy wins in penalty shootout

Italy have been crowned champions of Europe after a nail-biting penalty shootout win over England at Wembley Stadium. Italy beat England 3-2 on penalties to win the Euro 2020 final. They dashed English hopes for their first major title since the 1966 World Cup. England and Italy went to a penalty shoot-out in Sunday’s Euro 2020 final following a 1-1 draw after extra time at Wembley. Luke Shaw scored inside two minutes, the fastest ever goal in a European Championship final, but Leonardo Bonucci bundled in an equaliser at a corner midway through the second half.

If Afghanistan descends into war, govt won’t let fallout affect Pakistan: Fawad

Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Monday that even if Afganistan descended into a civil war, the government would not let the fallout affect Pakistan. In a message on Twitter, Chaudhry said the government’s policy on Afghanistan was “in Pakistan’s interest”.

“[We] are monitoring the changing situation in Afghanistan. [We are] trying our best for a way forward in Afghanistan through a peaceful regime that is [formed] on the basis of suggestions from all [stakeholders],” he added.

Indian planes ferry arms to Afghanistan

India on Sunday said it has “temporarily” brought back officials from its consulate in Kandahar, a major city in southern Afghanistan, as Taliban fighters continue to gain control amid the withdrawal of international forces.

However, sources said New Delhi is also delivering ammunition to the beleaguered Kabul administration and has recently sent two cargo planes to Kabul and Kandahar, full of artillery shells. The same planes were used to evacuate Indian officials from the two cities.

Bilawal Bhutto arrives in New York to kickstart seven-day US visit

NEW YORK: PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari arrived in New York Monday to kickstart his seven-day trip to the US, which has triggered criticism and accusations from the federal government. 

The PPP leader is on a seven-day ‘private’ tour of the US. Ever since PPP announced the visit, the government has criticised Bhutto, with PM Imran Khan’s aide Dr Shahbaz Gill going so far as to say that Bhutto was seeking a deal from the US. However, PPP-US President Khalid Awan clarified Bhutto will not be travelling to Washington during his visit. After landing in New York, the PPP chairperson refused to speak to the media, saying he is on a “personal visit” to the US.

Monsoon 2021: Karachi suffers major power breakdown with first drop of rain

Karachi woke up to its first monsoon shower Monday after a brief hot spell. According to Karachi Met Director Sardar Sarfaraz, light to moderate rains may continue intermittently today while heavy showers are expected at night.

The official said that monsoon winds entered via Indian Gujarat, causing rain in the metropolis. Some of the city’s areas that received rainfall include Malir, Landhi, II Chundrigar Road and its surrounding areas, Steel Town, Yaseenabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Saddar, Numaish, Old City Area, Gadap, University Road and Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

Monsoon Rain Hits parts of Country, turns Weather Pleasant

First spell of monsoon rains on Monday has lashed parts of country including Lahore and Islamabad. According to details, the downpour has also turned weather pleasant in Gujranwala, Sialkot, Abbotabad, Mansehra, Karachi and Tharparkar. Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) stated partly cloudy weather is expected in upper and central parts of the country. However, rain-wind/thundershower (with isolated heavy fall) and gusty winds are expected in Kashmir, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and South eastern Sindh.
Hot and humid weather is likely to prevail elsewhere in the country.

COVID-19 Updates:

• With 1,808  new COVID-19 cases, 15 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours
• 34,531 COVID-19 cases are active in the country
• The total death tally of Covid-19 stands at 22,597
• 1,084 people recovered from Coronavirus in the last 24 hours
• The positivity rate of Covid-19 is recorded at 3.84%
• Over 187.6  million are infected globally
• More than 4 million have died due to the virus globally
• Over 134 million recovered from COVID-19 globally
• Pakistan reports 670 Covid recoveries in last 24 hours
• 446,319 Covid vaccine doses administered across Pakistan on July 10: NCOC
• 3.9 million people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in Pakistan: NCOC
• Russia reports 25,140 now Covid-19, 710 deaths
• Indonesia sales of Chinese vaccines to public postponed amid criticism
• Thailand starts tighter coronavirus lockdown around capital
• Myanmar military says to ramp up oxygen supply as Covid-19 cases surge
• 150 Covid cases in detected in KP, 33 in Balochistan
• Punjab reports 224 Covid cases, 3 deaths
• Islamabad, AJK & GB collectively report 283 virus cases