Six more coronavirus patients die in Faisalabad

FAISALABAD: Six more COVID-19 patients died in Faisalabad on Monday. According to a spokesperson for the health department, the COVID-19 death toll rose to 1,111 in the district and two people tested positive for coronavirus during the last 24 hours.

He said 460 people were tested for coronavirus in public and private sector hospitals during the same period. He said so far 19,855 patients had recovered from the disease while total active cases in Faisalabad reached 486.

He said 339 beds were allocated at the Allied Hospital, 133 at the DHQ hospital and 150 at General Hospital Ghulam Muhammadabad for COVID-19 patients. At present, 98 patients are getting treatment at the Allied Hospital, 46 at DHQ hospital and 26 at General Hospital Ghulam Muhammadabad. Some 243 people have quarantined themselves at their homes.

SECTARIAN HARMONY AND INTER-RELIGIOUS UNITY STRESSED: Punjab Minister for Colonies & Culture Mian Khayal Ahmad Kastro Monday said sectarian harmony and inter-religious unity were the most important requirement of the time and in this regard the role of scholars was an indisputable fact.

Addressing the District Interfaith Harmony Committee meeting, the minister appreciated full support of the members of the committee in maintaining the ideal atmosphere of peace and religious harmony in the district.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Ali said peace of the district is dear to him which will not be allowed to flare up. Sahibzada Zahid Mahmood Qasmi, Pir Faiz Rasool Rizvi and other scholars urged the religious scholars to work for the promotion of lasting peace, religious tolerance and love.

They said according to Islam and the constitution, minorities living in Pakistan have full religious freedom. Bishop of Faisalabad Bishop Andarias also assured full cooperation for maintaining peace in the district.

TWO MORE MARRIAGE HALLS SEALED: Two more marriage halls were sealed and Rs 12,000 fine was imposed on violators of coronavirus SOPs on Monday.

According to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Ali, some 1,720 shopping malls, 355 restaurants, 113 private schools, 48 marriage halls, seven private offices, a bus stand andfour grocery shops were sealed and 145 vans were impounded and 1,037 people without face masks were arrested since March 15, 2021.

6,647 MORE VACCINATED: Some more 6,647 citizens and health workers were administered coronavirus doses on Monday. According to District Health Officer Dr Ata ul Moenum, so far 241,811 people have been administered first dose and 55,906 the second one.

Likewise 18,450 health workers were administered first dose and 12,551 the second one. APBUMA DEMANDS EXEMPTION OF SALES TAX: The Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) sector is the backbone of the national economy and the government must revive a zero-rating regime for it to achieve the projected targets of exports.

It was stated by Engineer Bilal Jamil, Senior Vice Chairman of All Pakistan Bedsheets & Upholstery Manufacturers Association (APBUMA). Addressing a press conference, he said the SME sector is contributing 66 per cent share in the total exports. “It has been facing a liquidity crunch due to the payment of huge sales tax which is in double digit despite the ill impacts of pandemic on businesses.

He said the APBUMA members because of its constitution have meagre financial resources and they have to first pay sales tax and then run from pillar to post to get back its refund.

He said it takes approximately six months from getting export orders up to its materialization with repatriation of foreign proceeds.

During this period almost 80 per cent of their capital is stuck up with the FBR and they have to borrow from the commercial banks at heavy interest rates to meet their day to day expenditures.

He urged the government to exempt the SME sector from the payment of sales tax which is also in line with the government policy of Ease of Doing Business. Imran Mahmood, Arif Ehsan Malik, Muhammad Tayyab, Shehzad Ahmed and Shehzad Hussain were also present there.