Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistan was the only country to strike a balance between tackling the spread of the virus and saving the economy.

Speaking to the reporters in Karachi, he said: "Corona is international. Pakistan is thankfully saved, we would have reached our peak anyway because we can't [afford to] lockdown."

Citing the example of India, he said that they had to lift restrictions as people were dying of hunger and of the virus.

"Pakistan is the only country to strike a balance between both [...] 34 per cent of the people in India went below the poverty line.

"Countries that have controlled the virus like Germany and Sweden, the people followed SOPs," he said, adding that strict action will now be taken against those violating the government's guidelines.

"We know where the hotpsots are and will enforce a smart lockdown in those areas."

Opinion

Editorial

A new deal
Updated 16 Jun, 2026

A new deal

AFTER three and a half months of war between US-Israel and Iran and an acrimonious temporary ceasefire, a genuine...
Charter of economy
16 Jun, 2026

Charter of economy

NO one expected the PTI to accept the government’s invitation to sign a charter of economy; just as few expected...
Hostage seamen
16 Jun, 2026

Hostage seamen

SOME 50 days on, 11 Pakistani nationals are still in Somali pirates’ captivity. Their appeals to the Pakistani and...
Climate choices
Updated 15 Jun, 2026

Climate choices

The country is confronting increasingly volatile weather patterns with consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, public health and economic planning.
Brief opening
15 Jun, 2026

Brief opening

WE have been here before. Throughout the weekend, there was great anticipation that a tentative framework for peace...
Environmental disaster
15 Jun, 2026

Environmental disaster

IT was a heartbreaking sight. A recent news report in these pages carried a picture of a sea turtle lying half ...