Pakistan’s prime minister is defending his policy of avoiding a complete lockdown that experts say caused a surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths across the country.
Imran Khan’s comments came hours after Pakistan for the second time recorded more than 100 COVID-19 deaths in a single day since May when his government eased lockdown.
On Thursday, Pakistan recorded 5,834 new confirmed cases, the highest single-day number of infections.
It increased overall cases to 119,536 and COVID-19 deaths climbed to 2,356 with 101 new fatalities in the previous 24 hours.
In a televised speech, Khan said Pakistan’s economy would have collapsed if he had not eased lockdown last month.
However, he urged people to adhere to social distancing regulations, warning that a further rise in coronavirus-related fatalities could be expected in coming days.
Read more:
New US lawsuit alleges Qatar secretly funded terror attacks that killed US citizens
Bill Gates responds to ‘stupid,’ ‘bizarre’ coronavirus microchip conspiracy theories
Coronavirus: Dubai’s Emirates announces four flights to Cairo, Egypt from June 14
Also Read
-
Coronavirus: WHO urges Pakistan to implement ‘intermittent’ lockdowns as cases surge
The World Health Organization has told Pakistan it should implement “intermittent” lockdowns to counter a surge in coronavirus infections that has ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: Pakistan records more than 100 COVID-19 deaths in one day
Pakistan recorded more than 100 deaths in a single day from COVID-19 for the first time since keeping statistics in mid-March, when the country first ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: Pakistan cases surge over 100,000 as hospitals warn of bed shortages
Pakistan has recorded more than 100,000 cases of coronavirus, health authorities said Monday, as hospitals warned they are running out of beds to ... Coronavirus
