Coronavirus: Reports of schools' closure 'baseless', says Saeed Ghani

KARACHI: No decision has been taken to close schools in Sindh, the province's education minister Saeed Ghani said Friday after several areas in Karachi were put under a micro smart lockdown.

"The reports about school's closure are baseless," he said, addressing a press conference along with PPP leader Waqar Mehdi.

The education minister said that the citizens should follow the government-issued coronavirus safety protocols.

"We have imposed a micro lockdown for now. People should not force the government to impose a complete lockdown," the education minister said.

The development comes after several areas in Karachi were put under a micro smart lockdown following an increase in coronavirus cases, including Creek Vista Apartments Block A, Phase VIII, DHA, Askari III, Civil Lines, Saddar, and Manghopir.

Sindh registered 400, 311 and 361 coronavirus cases on September 29, September 30 and October 1, respectively, up from 242, 278 and 251, on September 25, 26 and 27.

The province has recorded a total of 137,467 coronavirus infections, more than 2,500 deaths, and over 130,000 recoveries, according to official statistics.

Meanwhile, the minister said that the government was mulling over filing an appeal against the decision announced in the Baldia Town factory fire case — which led to the death of 260 labourers.

"Some people have not been indicted in the case," Ghani said.

Speaking about Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Ghani said that the party issues the same statements as Prime Minister Imran Khan.

"The prime minister is so indifferent to the people of Sindh that he did not, even once, came to inquire about their condition," Ghani added.