GILGIT: All courts in Gilgit-Baltistan will remain closed till April 5 in the wake of coronavirus threat, according to a press release issued by the GB Chief Court’s additional registrar the other day.

Meanwhile, the two coronavirus patients in Skardu are improving.

According to district focal person Dr Karamat Raza, both the patients were still in isolation, and their tests would be conducted again in a few days. He said samples from some suspected patients had also been sent to the NIH Islamabad.

Also, the Shia Imami Ismaili National Council for Pakistan has advised the community members to offer prayers at their houses and avoid congregations.

As part of the precautionary measures, Jamatkhanas will also remain shut until the situation gets back to normal.

Meanwhile, shortage of public transport from other parts of country to GB created problems for students studying in different parts of the country. They blamed transporters for increase in fares from Islamabad to GB.

Ajmal Hussain, a student of Quaid-i-Azam University, told Dawn that GB students were suffering due to lack of public transport to travel to their home region. He said fare had also been increased manifold.

Another student Safadar Hussain said all government and private educational institutions had been closed in Islamabad and Punjab, but they were stuck due to shortage of public transport.

They appealed to the government to help them get back to their home towns.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2020