KARACHI: City Administrator Barrister Murtaza Wahab, who is also the provincial government’s spokesman and chief minister’s law adviser, said on Saturday that it was “unprecedented” that more than 200,000 people got vaccinated in a single day in the city.

“Thanks to Allah, the Almighty, the [Covid-19] situation has improved due to the lockdown in Karachi,” he said while speaking to media after inaugurating a drive-through vaccination centre in Federal B. Area.

Meezan Bank president Irfan Siddiqui, Deputy Commissioner-Central Taha Saleem and other officials were also present.

He said that in the last 24 hours, 231,000 people were vaccinated whereas a week ago, 50,000 to 55,000 people were being vaccinated daily.

Inaugurates a drive-through vaccination centre in Federal B Area

The administrator said that the decision to block the SIM cards of unvaccinated people proved to be a game changer as the people did not care about their lives but about SIMs.

“If citizens support us, we can increase the rate of vaccines even more,” he said and added that a drive-through vaccination centre would soon be launched in Defence to provide maximum convenience to citizens.

He urged all political parties to instruct their workers to wear masks and to vaccinate themselves.

Majalis to be held with SOPs

He said that with the advent of Muharram, standard operating procedures (SOPs) should be ensured where majalis were held. All people should be vaccinated and masks should be used, he said.

The administrator said that people should take this pandemic seriously and vaccinate their entire families.

Mr Wahab said that a fumigation drive would be carried out in districts Central, Korangi, Malir, South and other parts of the city so that flies and mosquitoes could be eliminated.

Barrister Wahab said that his target was to serve the people and every effort would be made to bring positive change in the city.

Responding to a question, he said that an immediate change could not take place in the city and it would take some time.

“I do not believe in opposition and I will work with the people and we will move forward with the spirit of service to the city,” he said.

Meezan Bank chief Irfan Siddiqui said that the Sindh government had provided free vaccines to them and they had provided a facility to the citizens by setting up this centre. “Saving the life of one person means saving the whole of humanity,” he said.

The vaccine centre has 12 booths for data entry and as many booths for vaccines. The centre will be open from 4pm to 12pm.

Later, the administrator also formally inaugurated a vaccination centre at the Karachi Press Club.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2021