Category: Science & Technology

The Government of Sindh is considering closing down schools and colleges in Karachi on account of the growing number of cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The Sindh Health Department announced in a statement on Tuesday that the authorities are monitoring the situation closely and will make a decision in this regard within two or three days.

The development comes just a day after the educational institutes in the provinces reopened after the winter vacations.

The Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health, Dr. Faisal Sultan, revealed on Monday that the COVID-19 infection rate in Karachi had crossed 8.9 percent and that most of the cases were of the Omicron variant.

“People should protect themselves by wearing masks and get vaccinated because most of the cases are of unvaccinated people,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, has directed the concerned authorities to increase the vaccination campaigns in Karachi and Hyderabad and take action against violations of the COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the Omicron variant appears to have a “growth advantage” over the Delta variant which was previously the fastest spreading variant of the virus.

A recent study conducted by the University of Copenhagen, Statistics Denmark, and Statens Serum Institut (SSI), suggests that the virus can mutate itself against the immunity obtained from vaccines.

The researchers said, “Our findings confirm that the rapid spread of the Omicron (variant) primarily can be ascribed to the immune evasiveness rather than an inherent increase in the basic transmissibility”.

However, the study is yet to be peer-reviewed.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the Islamic scholars to play their due role in enlightening the Muslim youth about the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad Rasool Allah Khatim un Nabiyeen Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Ala Alayhee Wa Ashabehi Wassalam for success in this life and the hereafter.

He was speaking in an online dialogue with global Muslim scholars, organized by National Rehmatul Lilalameen Authority on “Riyasat-e-Madina, Islam, Society and Ethical Revival.”

The Prime Minister said success lies in following the teachings and footsteps of Hazrat Muhammad Rasool Allah Khatim un Nabiyeen Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Ala Alayhee Wa Ashabehi Wassalam.

The Prime Minister said justice and rule of law provide the base to a civilized society in the world. He said only the nations that have rule of law can survive and flourish.

The Prime Minister said Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Rasool Allah Khatim un Nabiyeen Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Ala Alayhee Wa Ashabehi Wassalam raised the level of ethics and morality of the society to make Muslims a great nation.

He said a society that does not have any moral standards and ethics cannot provide justice to its people.

He said several nations were destroyed in the past because of discrimination between powerful and weak segments of their societies.

Prominent scholars from the Muslim world attended the program, which was aimed at providing awareness among the younger generation about the Seerat of the Holy Prophet Rasool Allah Khatim un Nabiyeen Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Ala Alayhee Wa Ashabehi Wassalam.

Source: Radio Pakistan

The Punjab Boards Committee of Chairmen (PBCC) has announced the schedules for the Matriculation and Intermediate examinations 2022 for all nine boards in the province.

According to media reports, the Matriculation examinations will commence from 10 May 2022, while the Intermediate examinations will start from 18 June 2022.

The PBCC is the official forum of all the examination boards of the province. It includes Bahawalpur Board, DG Khan Board, Faisalabad Board, Gujranwala Board, Lahore Board, Multan Board, Rawalpindi Board, and Sargodha Board.

Last month, the federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Shafqat Mahmood, had announced that the COVID-19 situation in the country was improving, and examinations would be taken as scheduled.

He told the media that there will be no delay in the examinations, and smart or short syllabi will not be used this time.

“Next year, the exams will be taken from all subjects, including compulsory and optional ones, and with a full syllabus,” he added.

Source: Pro Pakistani