Covid-19 curve flattening in Pakistan: Imran Advises extra caution during Eid; Inaugurates Isolation Hospital, Infectious Treatment Centre.

Islamabad -- Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday appealed to the nation to mark the upcoming Eidul Azha with simplicity and take precautionary measures so that the number of Covid-19 cases in the country do not rise again.

He was speaking to the media after inaugurating the Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Centre in Islamabad.

'The virus spreads rapidly when a large number of people gather,' said the premier, saying 'carelessness' on Eidul Fitr in May led to a spike in cases in Pakistan. 'This led to pressure on our hospitals, our frontline workers also faced immense pressure, we unfortunately lost lives and the virus peaked.

'After Eid, we took steps to contain the virus, including imposing smart lockdowns [...] today, infections are decreasing. By the grace of the Almighty, the National Command and Operation Centre, the cooperation of the provinces in implementing instructions - due to the joint efforts of everyone, Pakistan is now among those countries where infections are declining.

'Today, I want to make a special appeal to you all: if we are careless on Eidul Azha, the virus could spread again and there could be a fresh spike in the number of infections. Hospitals will come under pressure again. So I'm appealing to you all to mark this Eid with simplicity.'

He said the government has come up with Standard Operating Procedures for Eidul Azha and how to carry out animal sacrifices. 'I appeal to the entire nation to observe Eid with simplicity - for the sake of your country, its economy and especially the elderly and at-risk members of the society. 'If we take care now, then we can manage, God willing, to come out of this pandemic better than other countries.'

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing, and other high-ranking officials were present at the occasion too.

PM Imran credited the implementation of the smart lockdown across the country for bearing positive results.

The prime minister said that the effective measures collectively taken by the provinces, as advised by the NCOC, had amazingly led to the flattening of the coronavirus curve even before the projected time frame.

Lauding the...