(Corona Ferocity Refuses to Ebb) 17 more killed countrywide

 

(Islamabad) The total active COVID-19 cases in Pakistan on Saturday were recorded at 24,938 with 2,165 new cases reported during the last 24 hours. Seventeen patients; who were under treatment in hospital died on Friday; according to the latest update issued by the National command and Operation Centre (NCOC). No affected person was on ventilator in Balochistan; while 204 ventilators were occupied elsewhere in Pakistan, out of 1,858 allocated for patients.

Around 34,535 tests were conducted across the country on Friday, including  0,641 in Sindh, 12,006 in Punjab, 3,736 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 6,267 in  Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT); 614 in Balochistan, 312 in GB, and 959 in AJK.

Around 322,414 people have recovered so far across the country making it a  significant count with over 90 percent recovery ratio. Since the pandemic spread, a total of 354,461 cases have been detected so far, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) 5,261, Balochistan 16,328, Gilgit Baltistan (GB) 4,434, ICT 23,533, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 41,723, Punjab 109,309 and Sindh 153,873. Around 7,109 deaths have been recorded in country since the eruption of the contagion, including 2,722 in Sindh out of whom four died in hospital on Friday; 2,462 in Punjab seven of whom died in hospital on Friday, 1,305 in KP two of whom died in hospital on Friday; 253 in Islamabad Capital Territory three of whom died in hospital on Friday, 155 in Balochistan, 93 in GB and 119 in AJK one of whom died in hospital on Friday. A total of 4,881,640 corona tests have been conducted so far, while 735 hospitals are equipped with COVID facilities. Some 1,521 corona patients were admitted to hospitals across the country. Meanwhile, Geo News senior journalist Arshad Waheed Chaudhry did of corona on Saturday. He was recently diagnosed with corona and was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Islamabad. As his condition worsened, he was put on ventilator. Chaudhry was the host of Geo News program ‘Geo Parliament’. He was also a special correspondent for Geo News and a columnist for Daily Jang. He was also Vice President of the National Press Club, Islamabad. Condolences poured in from all those he had interacted with professionally and personally. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists condoled his death. In a statement, President PFUJ Shahzada Zulfiqar, Secretary General Nasir Zaidi and all the office-bearers termed Chaudhry’s tragic death a great loss for the journalist community. ‘Arshad Waheed Chaudhry was a bold, vibrant and experienced journalist known for his integrity and honesty;’ said the statement. The PFUJ leadership said Chaudhry’s services for the media, rights of journalists and freedom of press will be remembered for all times to come.

President Dr. Arif Alvi Saturday expressed his grief over the sad death of Arshad Waheed Chaudhry. In a tweet, he said; ‘My condolences on the sad death of senior journalist, columnist and anchor Arshad Waheed Chaudhry. May his soul rest in peace and may Allah give strength to the family to bear this loss.’ Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani Saturday expresses deep sorrow and grief over the death Arshad Waheed Chaudhry. In a statement, Sanjrani said he was saddened by the death of Arshad Chaudhry. The services of late Arshad Waheed Chaudhry will always be remembered; he said and prayed to Allah Almighty to elevate the ranks of Arshad Waheed Chaudhry in the Jannah. Federal Minister for Information Senator Shibli Faraz expressed deep sorrow and grief over the death of senior journalist and said his services in the field of journalism will always be remembered. “Our heroes are journalists and media workers who carried out their responsibilities on the front line during the Corona pandemic. May Allah Almighty grant the deceased a place in the tide of mercy and grant patience to his family;’ he said. Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwala; Senate Leader of the House Dr. Shahzad Waseem and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Senator Raja Zafarul Haq expressed deep sorrow over the death of Arshad Waheed Chaudhry.

Former president of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condoled the death of Arshad Waheed Chaudhry.

In a condolence message, both the leaders said they were saddened and grieved over the news of death of Arshad Waheed Chaudhry. ‘He was well respected by his colleagues and the journalist community;’ they said. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Saturday expressed his deep grief over the death of Arshad Waheed Chaudhry and mother of Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Sirajul Haq.

In his condolence message to Senator Sirajul Haq and the bereaved family; the foreign minister expressed his deep grief and sorrow. He prayed for the departed soul and for the bereaved family to bear the loss with fortitude. Separately, Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed condolence with the bereaved family of Arshad Waheed Chaudhry and prayed for the high ranks of the departed soul. PML-N Secretary Information Marriyum Aurangzeb expressed great grief over the death of Arshad Waheed Chaudhry.