Development Minister Asad Umar has advised people to take precautions and follow doctors' advice, saying that doing so will help keep them and their families safe.

Asad Umar addressing the media. — DawnNewsTV
Asad Umar addressing the media. — DawnNewsTV

"Wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands, not hugging on Eid — this is what doctors are trying to make us understand. We saw that when we were careless, conditions worsened and then we saw improvement. If you take precautions and follow doctors' advice, then you and your family will remain safe. If you are careless, we will be punished for it," he cautioned.

Umar also paid tribute to NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Mohammad Afzal and his team for the way they were working on increasing healthcare capacity across Pakistan. He added that during the last two weeks, 189 beds had been added to hospitals in Islamabad.

Opinion

Editorial

Farming reform
Updated 06 Oct, 2026

Farming reform

Agriculture needs investment, but not another round of costly interventions.
Improved performance
06 Oct, 2026

Improved performance

THE recently concluded Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, were a revival of sorts for Pakistan, and a huge upgrade...
Mass surveillance
06 Oct, 2026

Mass surveillance

THE new National Cybercrime Investigation Agency chief, Ali Nasir Rizvi, has adopted a “zero-tolerance policy...
After the talks
Updated 05 Oct, 2026

After the talks

Considering how close they came to a solution, govt and opposition teams should reconvene to give the talks another chance.
Child safety online
Updated 05 Oct, 2026

Child safety online

Pakistani children are spending more of their lives online, but the safeguards around them are not keeping pace.
Rising public debt
05 Oct, 2026

Rising public debt

Pakistan’s public debt has surged by 76pc to Rs86.7tr in four years, according to a new government report.