11 Karachi UCs sealed after CM sounds alarm, says 'stricter' lockdown needed to control spread

Published April 11, 2020
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah called on Saturday for stricter lockdown measures in Sindh pointing to the grim new increase in Covid-19 cases in the province. — via Twitter.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah called on Saturday for stricter lockdown measures in Sindh pointing to the grim new increase in Covid-19 cases in the province. — via Twitter.

Hours after Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah called for stricter lockdown measures in the province, pointing to the high percentage of positive Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, authorities in Karachi sealed eleven union councils in the city's district east on Saturday, citing reports of several Covid-19 positive individuals residing in those areas.

According to a notification issued by the Karachi district east deputy commissioner's office, the following UCs have been sealed:

  • UC-6 Gillani Railways
  • UC-7 Dalmia
  • UC-8 Jamali Colony
  • UC-9 Gulshan II
  • UC-10 Pehalwan Goth
  • UC-12 Gulzar-e-Hijri
  • UC-13 Safora
  • UC-14 Faisal Cantt
  • UC-2 Manzoor Colony
  • UC-9 Jacob Line
  • UC-10 Jamshed Quarters

In a video released by his office's Twitter account, the chief minister cautioned that there wasn't "much good news" in the last 24 hours and thus the province needed a stricter lockdown.

A photo posted by Instagram (@instagram) on

"It's extremely alarming that there has been a record rise in new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Sindh," Shah said, adding that 20 per cent of Covid-19 tests conducted in Sindh in the past 24 hours had come out positive.

"This is greater than the world average at the moment," Shah said.

Breaking down the numbers from the last 24 hours, Shah said that the province conducted 531 tests and 104 of them turned out to be positive. He also announced six new deaths, which he said were "a lot".

Meanwhile, a report issued by the provincial health department revealed that 87 of the 104 new cases in Sindh were from Karachi – all of whom had caught the virus locally. 13 cases of local transmission were reported from Hyderabad, and one from Sanghar.

Three people had died in Karachi from the virus in the past 24 hours, while 13 had recovered completely all over the province in the same time, the report added.

"When the lockdown measures were being strictly adhered to, the situation was much better," Shah argued, adding that the alarming increase in new cases was due to the recent relaxation in lockdown measures.

"The lockdown in Malir was quite ineffective, which is why today I've instructed to enforce a stricter lockdown there," Shah said.

The chief minister said that cases of Covid-19 were also increasing in Hyderabad, which is why a tighter lockdown will also be enforced in the city.

He also said that 919 people were still under treatment in the province.

"371 individuals who have completely recovered have returned to their homes and 13 more are returning today after recovering fully," Shah revealed.

Opinion

Editorial

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...