1. Pakistan News Updates 23-04-2020 :
Corona was confirmed in 544 more people in the country,
bringing the number of patients to 11,057
Accordingto data releasedbythe National CommandandControl Center,atotal of 124,549 testswere
performedtodiagnose coronaacrossthe country,of which6,700 were performedinthe last24 hours.
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 :
In one day,544 newcasesof Corona have beenreported,bringingthe numberof confirmedcasesof the
virusinPakistanto 11,057. Corona virushas alsocured2337 patientsinthe country.
The highestnumberof 4767 casesof corona virushas beenreportedinPunjab,3671 in Sindh,1453 in
KhyberPakhtunkhwa,607in Balochistan,290 inGilgit-Baltistan,214 inIslamabadand55 in Azad
Kashmir.
Accordingto the National CommandandControl Center,Coronakilled11more people inthe country,
bringingthe deathtoll to235.
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 : The deathtoll fromthe coronavirusis 83 inKhyberPakhtunkhwa,
73 in Sindh,65 inPunjab,eightinBalochistanandthree inIslamabadandGilgit-Baltistan.
2. Takingthese precautionsagainstthe coronaviruscan make iteasiertowinthe fightagainstthe
epidemic.Some time inthe morningshouldbe spentinthe sun,Alsoread YesterdayNewsUpdates
Do not sitwiththe rooms closed,butopenthe doorsandwindowsandletthe lightof the sun come into
the rooms.Insteadof runningthe AC inclosedrooms,sitinthe fan air.
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 :
The UV raysin the sun’srays affectthe proteinthathas emergedonthe outerstructure of the virusand
weakenthe virus.Hightemperaturesorheathave noeffectonthe virus,but highUV rays weakenthe
virus.
Heat waterand place ina thermosand drinkhalf a cup of warm watereveryhour.The virusfirstinfects
the throat and fromthere reachesthe lungs.Usinghotwater,the virustravelsfromthe throat to the
stomach,where the virusbecomesineffective.
Our difficult time will begin in mid-May, Prime Minister
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 :
Speakingonthe largestEhsasTelethoninthe historyof the countryfor people infectedwiththe corona
virus,the Prime Ministersaidthatepidemiologistswerereviewingall the dataandestimatedthatbythe
endof April There maybe 50,000 cases but thankGod the caseshave not spreadsofast yet.The trend
seemstobe that there will notbe more casesof corona virus.
“It will notbe difficultforustohandle patientsuntil May15, and afterthat, if the numberof patients
increasesrapidly,we mayface problems,”he said.Therefore,we have totake all possibleprecautions.
3. At the same time,ourcapacity will alsoincrease.Speakingonthe phone,PresidentTrumphasalso
offeredtogive aventilatorstoPakistan.
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 : The Prime Ministersaidthatpowersectoris ourbiggestproblem.
We have the opportunitytoreviewelectricityandgascontracts.Reducingelectricityandgaspriceswill
benefitthe people andindustries.Effortsare beingmade tobringdowninterest ratesfurther.
The Prime Ministerof PakistanImranKhansaidthat the entire nationmustfightthe Coronavirus
togetherandthe purpose of the telethonistohelpthose affectedbythe lockdown.The effectsof the
lockdowncausedbythe Coronavirusare yetto come.Thisrapidlyspreadingvirushasnevercome
before inthe world.
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 : Speakingonthe telethon,he saidthatthe greatestblessingof
Allahisif youunderstandthatwhenyougive inthe way of Allah,manneverloses,Allahalwaysgives
youpeace of mind.
“Wealthhas nothingtodo witha person’sbankbalance,apersonwhothinksthathappinesscomes
fromGod and comeswhenyouspendinthe way of God,” he said.
Pakistan-chairedSAARC video conference, Agreed to compete
together this epidemic
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 :
Pakistanhostedavideoconference of SAARCcountriesoncoronaepidemic,whichwaschairedbyDr.
Zafar Mirza, Special Assistanttothe Prime Minister.The conference wasattendedbyhealth ministers
and officialsfromall SAARCcountries.
Dr. Zafar Mirza laudedPakistan’sinitiativeandsharedhisexperiences.ZafarMirzahighlightedthe
government’sinitiatives,SAARCeffortsandthe National ActionPlan.
Pakistanisworkingonthe strategyof SmartLock Dawn to preventthe negative effectsof the economy
alongwiththe preventionof virus,thisglobalepidemic,the effectsof whichwilllastfora longtime.
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 : He calleduponthe HealthTechnical Committee toformulatea
jointstrategyunderthe SAARCCharterandincrease regional cooperationtocombatthe disease.The
SAARCSecretaryGeneral thankedPakistanforhostingthe conference.
4. The conference wasattendedbyministersandofficialsfromSri Lanka, Nepal,Afghanistan,Bhutan,
Bangladesh,MaldivesandIndia,the ForeignOffice saidinastatement.
Duringthe meeting,statistics,trainingof medical personnel,supplyof medicines,suppliesandresearch
coordinationandcooperationwithinternational organizationsincludingWHOwere discussed.
Zafar Mirza saidSouthAsiawas at greaterriskdue to its dense populationandpoorhealthsystem.The
uncertaintysurroundingthe epidemichasleftnotime forcomplacency.However,thereisstill time for
strengtheningthe regional healthsystem.
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 : Suggestionsforliaisonbetweenmedical universitiesandresearch
instituteswere alsoconsideredduringthe conference.The statementfurthersaidthatthe conductof
videoconferencinginthe wake of the COVID-19epidemicwasa reiterationof Pakistan’scommitmentto
the SAARCprocessand itseffortsforclosercooperationamongmembercountries.
Pakistanhasdemandedthe reinstatementof the SouthAsianAssociationforRegional Corporation
(SAARC) Technical CommitteeonHealth.
It shouldbe notedthatSAARChas beeninactive foralongtime due to the strainedrelationsbetween
PakistanandIndia.
Prime Ministerand Army Chief visit ISI Headquarters
Prime MinisterImranKhanand ArmyChief General QamarJavedBajwavisitedthe ISIHeadquarters
where theywere receivedbyDGISI LieutenantGeneralFaizHameedwhile Federal Ministersand
Advisorsaccompaniedthe Prime Minister.
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 :
The Prime Ministerandthe Chief of ArmyStaff were briefedduringthe visitonthe challengesfacedon
the internal andexternal frontsandthe impactof Corona.
On the occasion,Prime MinisterImranKhansaidthat nostone wouldbe leftunturnedforthe security,
sovereigntyand securityof the country.The Prime Ministeralsoappreciatedthe servicesandsacrifices
of the ISI.
5. Things like the US and Italy could happen in the next few
weeks, PMA said
PakistanNewsUpdates
23-04-2020 :
Talkingtomedia,PakistanMedical Associationdemandedstrictlockdownacrossthe country.Doctors
warnedthat the nexttwoor three weeksare veryimportant,if decisionnotmade intime,asituation
similartothe UnitedStatesand Italycouldarise.
He saidthat the governmentshouldtalktothe religiousscholarsandmake themaware of the delicate
situation.He saidthatlockdownshouldalsobe bannedinreligiousgatherings.
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 : Doctors advisedtraderstobe patient,the governmentshouldtake
strict measuresby extendingthe lockdownperiod,if anoutbreakspreads,we donothave the resources
to deal withit.
Leadersof PakistanMedical Associationsaidthattheydonotwant to scare people,casesof corona
virusare notin thousandsbutinmillions.
We hasnot yetbeenable totest 20,000 corona ona dailybasis,butprecautionscanbe takento getrid
of the corona virus.
6. The first day of Ramadanin Pakistan will be on April 25.
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 :
Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman,Chairman,Central Ruwit-e-HilalCommittee,announcedthatnoevidence of
sightingof Ramadanmoonhas beenreceivedfromanypartof the countryand the firstfastin Pakistan
will be onSaturday,April 25.
Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehmanchairedameetingof the Central Route Hilal Committee atthe
Meteorological DepartmentOffice,Karachi.Meetingsof all the zonal committeeshave beenheldatthe
provincial headquarters.Inaddition,ameetingof the IslamabadZonal Committeewasheldatthe
Ministryof ReligiousAffairs,KohsarComplex
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 : Announcingthe sightingof the crescent,Mufti Muneeb-ur-
Rehman,chairmanof the committee,alsoappealedtothe people tofollowthe instructionsissuedon
precautionarymeasuresof the coronavirusandsaidthat the elderly,childrenandthe sickshouldoffer
prayersat home.
The managementof all mosquesshouldcooperate.Inthe currentsituation,iftarwill notbe arrangedin
mosques.Followthe SOPsissuedbythe government.
The Pakistani economy will face a recession for the first time,
Moody’ssaid
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 :
7. The international ratingagencyMoody’shasforecastthatthe gross domesticproduct(GDP) will remain
at minus1 percenttominus5 percent duringthe currentfinancial yearandthe Pakistani economywill
face the firstrecession.
A reportby Moody’sInvestorsService onthe impactof Coronaon Pakistan’seconomypredictsthat
Pakistan’seconomyislikelytorecoverin2021 and thatPakistan’s economicgrowthrate isexpectedto
reach 2% in2021. Accordingto the Corona Lockdownwill significantlyreduce domesticdemandandthe
reductionindemandwill increase the concernsforeconomicgrowth.
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 : The report said that the openingupof the agriculture,construction
and textile sectorswouldleadtoagradual recoveryindomesticdemand.Interestrateshave beencut
by 425 basispointssince the beginningof the year,easingthe flow of capital,providingcheaploansto
industriesandconstructionswill helptothe economicshockof Corona.
Accordingto Moody’s,the lockdownwill reduce economicactivityandincrease governmentspending,
increasingthe fiscal deficitanddebtburden.
The governmenthasgivena relief package of Rs1,200 billionbutthisrelief package will face abudget
deficitwhichislikelytokeepthe governmentdeficitat9.5 to 10 percent of GDP. Pakistanhada fiscal
deficitof 8.9% forthe fiscal yearendedJune 30, 2019.
PakistanNews Updates23-04-2020 : The Global RatingAgencysaidthe deficitwouldwidendespite an
increase inrevenue,althoughthe deficitnarrowedduringthe firsthalf of the currentfiscal year,with
governmentrevenue rising40percentinthe firstsix monthsof the currentfiscal year.However,
accordingto the ratingagency,tax revenue will decline inthe secondhalf of the currentfinancial year
due to lowerinterestratesandfallingoil prices.Includeslowertaxes.
Accordingto the agency,the ongoinglockdowninthe countrysince the endof March will reduce local
consumption,whichwill make asignificantdifference toeconomicgrowth,leadingtoa wideningfiscal
deficitandanincrease ingovernmentdebthasconcerns.
The Sindh government has given a 25 per cent tax rebate on
vehicles and property
Accordingto the notificationissuedbythe SindhExcise Department,the exemptiongivenin
professionaltax will be foraperiodof 3 months.Inaddition,25 percent rebate hasbeengivenin
propertytax for 3 monthswhichwill be applicable toall movableproperty.
8. PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 :
Accordingto the notification,a25% reductioninmotorvehicle tax hasalsobeenannounced.Tax
exemptionwillbe available onall commercial vehicles.Inaddition,SindhEntertainmentDutyhasbeen
waivedforthe nextthree monthswhichwill be applicable toParks,Cinemaandotherrecreational
activities.
Corona virus causes loss of over Rs 5 billionto Pakistan
Railways
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 :
Accordingto sources,the suspensionof trainoperationshascausedalossof Rs 5.26 billiontoPakistan
Railways.The closure of passengertrainshascausedalossof Rs 3.20 billiontothe railwayswhile the
closure of freighttrainshascauseda lossof overRs 2.10 billiontothe railways.Yes,the suspensionof
trainoperationsiscausinga dailylossof Rs 150 milliontoPakistanRailways.
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 : Sourcessaidthat the suspensionof trainoperationsaffected6.9
millionpassengersacrossthe country,1.2 millionpassengersof PakistanRailwayswere offloadedin
March, while 5.2millionpassengerswere affectedbythe suspensionof trainoperationsfromMarch 22,
a monthafter the suspensionof trainoperations.
PakistanRailways sufferedalossof Rs 4.76 billionwhile passengeroff-loadinginthe firstthree weeksof
March lostthe railwaysRs500 million.
9. Telephonecall between Imran Khan and DonaldTrump
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 :
Prime MinisterImranKhanand US PresidentDonaldTrumphada telephoneconversationinwhich
regional issues,bilateral cooperation,Covid-19discussedissuesrelatedtoepidemicsandwaysto
mitigate the effectsonthe global economy,while the USPresidentassuredassistanceincombatingthe
epidemic.
Prime MinisterImranKhanlamentedthe lossof preciouslivesfromCoronainthe UnitedStateswhile
highlightingthe effortstocontrol the spreadinPakistan.He saidthatthere isa double challenge of
savingthe sickand weakersectionsfromstarvation,givingapackage of 8 billionforthe victimsand
businesses.
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 : Thanksto the supportfrom the IMF and otherquarters,financial
supportwill helpreduce the effectsof the disease.The Prime Ministerreiteratedhiscommitmentto
facilitatingthe Afghanpeace process.
Accordingto a ForeignOffice spokesman,the Prime Ministerstressedthe importance of these
measures,whichwillleadtothe startof inter-Afghantalks.Atthe Prime Minister’sCoronaTest,the US
Presidentofferedtosenda state-of-the-arttestingmachine.
Traders arrested for openingshops in Karachi remanded for 14
days
The court remandedsix traders,includingabusinessleader,arrestedyesterdayon14-dayjudicial
remand.
10. PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 :
Napierpolice producedsix traders,includingthe arrestedbusinessleader,inthe courtof Judicial
Magistrate South.The accused presentedinclude HamadPoonawala,MohammadEhsan,Mohammad
Khalil,JavedAbdulShakoor,MalikAqeel andFaisal Hassanzai.
The investigatingofficertoldthe courtthat the accusedwere chargedwithbreachof lockdown,rioting,
violence andincitementof the people whilebail wassoughtbythe lawyersof the accusedwhichwas
rejectedbythe court.The traders were senttojail on a 14-day judicial remand.
PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 : Talkingtothe mediaoutside the court,the businessleaderssaid
that the businessmanisfightinginthe battle betweenthe federal governmentandthe provincial
government.
It was agreedtoopenthe businessinanhour aftermakingrecommendationstothe Governorduring
the meeting.We onlydidademokeepinginview the order,wantedtosee how the SOPswouldbe
implemented.
Arrestedinsteadof providingfacilitiestotraders,tradersare the backbone of the economy,Godforbid
tradersshouldnotbe treatedlike this.
The country’s current account deficit has been reduced by 7.5
billion
Governmenteffortstoreduce the currentaccountdeficithave beensuccessful.According tothe State
Bank of Pakistan,the country’scurrentaccountdeficithasnarrowed.The March deficitwas$6 million,
and the Februarydeficitwas$19.8 million.
11. PakistanNewsUpdates23-04-2020 :
The deficitforthe firstnine monthsof the currentfiscal yearwas $ 7.516 billionlessthanlastyear,
accordingto central bank data.The currentaccount deficitstoodat$ 2.76 billioninJuly-March,
comparedto a deficitof $28.10 billioninthe same periodlastfiscal.
The current account deficitlastfiscal yearwas4.7% of GDP and the current fiscal year9 monthdeficitis
equal to1.3% of GDP.
