By: Hamza Ameer

Islamabad, Apr 6: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that India and Pakistan cannot afford to engage in an all-out war, as both countries are powered by nuclear weapons.
Pakistan Foreign Minister’s comments came after questions were raised over a statement by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who had said that some countries changed their position over just one phone call. Qureshi maintained that the statement made by the Chinese Foreign Minister was not directed at Pakistan.

Commenting about India-Pakistan relations, Qureshi said that it is Pakistan’s firm belief that “all issues could be resolved through dialogue”, adding that it is India’s responsibility to create a conducive environment.

“Pakistan has a clear stance on trade with India. It’s now India’s turn to make the environment conducive for dialogue,” he said.

Saying that Pakistan had “serious concerns” about the in situation Jammu and Kashmir, Qureshi said, “The people of Kashmir and different political parties had already rejected the Indian government’s decision of August 5, 2019.”

Qureshi’s statement comes at a time when the Imran Khan-led government in Pakistan took a U-turn on its decision to open trade with India, summary of which was later rejected in the cabinet meeting, which reiterated that there can be no trade with India until it reverses its decision of August 5, 2019, which changed the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into two Union Territories, by abrogating Articles 370 and 35A.

Moreover, questions have also been raised over the country’s foreign policy and approach after it was ignored by the US for a recent environment conference. Qureshi, however, maintained that invitations to the conference were only extended to countries, which were creating pollution.

“The US government had invited only those countries, which were creating pollution. Prime Minister Imran Khan is a role model for developing countries regarding his efforts to control global warming and environmental pollution,” he said.

“I wrote a letter to the special envoy to the Joe Biden administration and former Secretary of State of America, in which I have conveyed that Pakistan and America have the same policy on environment and both countries can work together on the issue,” Qureshi added.

New Delhi: Amid the continued surge in Covid-19 cases in India again in the past few weeks, the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said the vaccination is being carried out on the basis of priority.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan while addressing a press conference on Tuesday stated that vaccinations cannot be opened for everybody at this moment. “Globally vaccination drives have a single goal: to curb deaths of the most vulnerable group affected by Covid-19,” he added.

He asserted that the health care system and health care workers in the country need to be protected. “What will happen if maximum numbers of health care workers get affected by Covid-19? Our health care system will collapse. We don’t want this situation. And hence, the vaccination cannot be opened for all at present,” added the Union Health Secretary.

Bhushan further emphasised that the aim of the vaccination drive is to vaccinate the ones who need it most, rather than the ones who want to get vaccinated.

Talking about Maharashtra, which has become the epicentre of the pandemic, Bhushan said that of all the active cases in the country, 58 per cent are in Maharashtra. As many as 34 per cent of the total deaths have also been reported in the state.

“We have suggested to state governments to increase the percentage of RT-PCR tests, which is reducing in Maharashtra in the last few weeks. Only 60 per cent of total tests were done through the RT-PCR method in Maharashtra last week. We suggest states take it to 70 per cent or above,” said Bhushan.

NITI Aayog’s Dr V.K. Paul, who also addressed the media, stated that the next four weeks will be crucial. “The impact of the pandemic has increased in the country. Warnings were given that the situation should not be taken for granted. The situation of the pandemic has worsened and the speed of increasing Covid-19 cases is higher than the last time,” Paul added.

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: 135 travelers and 5 minors were among 561 fresh covid-19 cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections to 134015. Two more people died due to the virus, taking the fatality count to 2012—741 in Jammu and 1271 in Kashmir.

The cases were second highest in a single day in J&K. On April 4, J&K reported 573 cases, highest so far this year.

Among the fresh 561 positive cases, 177 were from Jammu Division and 384 from Kashmir Valley, they said.

Giving the district-wide details, the official told GNS that Srinagar reported 222 cases, Baramulla 54, Budgam 34, Pulwama 7, Kupwara 5, Anantnag 13, Bandipora 5, Ganderbal 11, Kulgam 26, Shopian 7, Jammu 99, Udhampur 37, Rajouri 7, Doda 5, Kathua 14, Samba 5, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 4, Ramban 0 and Reasi 6.

A number of these cases were confirmed at SKIMS Soura, CD hospital and GMC Anantnag’s diagnostic laboratories.

The SKIMS cases include male (50) from Batapora Shopian, male (13) from Batapora Shopian, male (16) from Zainpora, Male (14) from Lawapora , male (39) from Goigam, female (15) from Malmooh, female (14) from Malmooh, female (35) from Malmooh, male (45) from Nowpora, female (12) from Budgam, female (09) from Budgam, male (12) from M S brarigund Budgam, male (74) from Narkara sgr, male (04) from Bagander Narkara, male (54) from Airport colony Humhama, male (34) from Gogoo Humhama, female (39) from Jakli rangreth, male (45) from Khansahib Budgam, male (32) from Gotapora Budgam, male (18) from Kanipora Budgam, male (65) from Kralpora , male (34) from Bagi mehtab, female (30) from Bagi Mehtab, female (65) from Nowhar, Male (52) from 82 Bn CRPF Ikhwan hotel Sgr, female (20) from Habbak ganderbal, male (60) from Gulabagh ganderbal, female (50) from Gulabagh Ganderbal, male (30) from Kathidarwaza sgr, male (10) from Lalbazar, male (38) from Sushma Ganderbal, female (50) from Hadoora Ganderbal, male (60) from Hadoora Ganderbal, male (55) from Bakura Ganderbal, male (53) from Saloora Ganderbal, male (29) from 528 Asc Kupwara, male (28) from 18 Sikh Kupwara, male (23) from 8 Jat / Tr Kupwara, male (25) from 8 Jat /Tr Kupwara, male (26) from 22 / Sikh Panzgam Tr Kupwara, male (27) from 22 Sikh Panzgam Tr Kupwara, male (45) from Drugmullah Kupwara, male (23) from Drugmullah, male (28) from Drugmullah, male (65) from Shanoo Langate, female (60) from Walurhama Langate, female (21) from Soura Sgr, male (26) from Boniyar baramulla, male (60) from Nowshera sgr, female (55) from Rangil ganderbal, female (15) from Soura sgr, male (25) from Machowa sgr, female (50) from Buchpora sgr, male (80) from Buchpora sgr, male (55) from Soura sgr, female (25) from Buchpora sgr, male (69) from Badshah sgr, male (66) from Pahoo pulwama, male (27) from Nowshera sgr, male (60) from Nowshera sgr, male (64) from Zakura sgr, male (19) from Buchpora sgr, female (50) from Lalchowk sgr, male (65) from Nowshera sgr, male (30) from Khanpora baramulla, male (38) from Lachipora baramulla, male (38) from Lalbazar sgr, male (48) from Lalbazar sgr, male (75) from Lalbazar sgr, male (58) from Rawalpora sgr, female (33) from Skims sgr, female (46) from Upper Soura sgr, male (25) from Skims sgr, female (65) from Ahmed Nagar sgr, female (55) from Elahibagh Sgr, male (61) from Elahibagh Sgr, male (28) from Elahibagh Sgr, female (19) from Elahibagh Sgr, male (47) from Pandrthan sgr , male (22) from Kursoo, male (69) from Buchpora sgr, female (60) from Shalimar sgr, female (66) from Pandrethan sgr, female (78) from Zoonimar sgr, female (53) from Matipora anantnag, male (77) from Baghat sgr, male (44) from Gogjibagh sgr, male (58) (NA) from Ganderbal, male (60) (NA) from Baramulla, female (50) (NA) from Eidgah sgr and female (NA) from Eidgah.

The CD cases include male (16) from Lawaypora, female (06) from Mehjoor Nagar, female (65) from HMT, female (55) from Qamarwari, male (36) from HMT, female (60) and male (63) from Alochibagh, male (50) from Shutrashahi, female (18) from Hyderpora, female (20) from Tankipora, female (52) from Barzulla, female (2) and male (2M) from HMT, four females (32, 10, 02, 55) and two males (33, 26) from Batmaloo, female (20) from Rawalpora, female (25) from Hyderpora, female (35) from Qamarwari, male (40) from Narwara, female (45) from Nowshera, female (60) from Kanipora, male (17) from Lal Bazar, male (60) and female (45) from Naseembagh, female (26) from Nowshera, female (45) from Lal Bazar, female (45) from Soura, male (40) from Nowshera, male (68) from Alamgiri Bazar, two males (16, 21) from Lal Bazar, male (35) from Nowshera, two females (15, 13) from Middle School Gund Hassi Bhat Lawaypora, female (50) from Illahibagh, female (21) from Qamarwari, female (24) from Baramulla, male (52) from Eidgah, male (21) from S R Gunj, female (11) from Khanyar, male (22) from Baghat, two males (06, 38) and female (35) from Harwan, female (50) from Srinagar, female (63) from Soura, male (43) from Sonwar, female (75) from Ahmadnagar, two males (NA, 69) and two females (31, 70) from Rajbagh, male (45) from Nawakadal, male (44) from HMT Umerabad, female (10) from Nawabazar, female (NA) from Hyderpora, male (29) from Pamposh Colony, female (34) from Rajouri Kadal, male (58) and female (70) from Srinagar, male (65) from Bemina, male (19) from Nowgam, male (54) and female (46) from Maharashtra, female (31) from Rainawari Srg, two males (28, 59) and female (45) from NA, male (60) from Srinagar, male (70) from Tangmarg, female (35) from Kupwara, male (70) from Handwara, male (58) from Srinagar, female (46) from Bemina, male (28) from GMC Srinagar.

The GMC Anantnag cases include male (79) from Janglat Mandi, male (38) from Gulshan Abad, male (60) from Dooru, male (29) from Kelam, female (16) from Latroo Aishmuqam, male (90) from Khundroo, female (25) from Kawarigam, female (63) and two males (65, 35) from Brienty, male (60) from Bul Bul Nowgam, male (45) from C/O PHC Barkpora, female (30) from Brakpora, male (37) from Bijbehara, male (50) from Batengoo, male (40) from Panzgam Pulwama, male (29) from Gulzarpora, female (19) from Hariparigam Tral.

Moreover, they said, 230 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—52 from Jammu Division and 178 from Kashmir Division. The number of active cases has risen to 4483—1149 in Jammu and 3334 in Kashmir. (GNS)

By: Gul Owais

Srinagar: A day after Precious Kashmir reported non-adherence of COVID-19 SOPs in Gandhi College here, at least two students tested positive in the college after a team from Health Department visited the institute to take samples of the students and staff there.
However, the college administration has ordered closure of the institute as precautionary measure till further orders.

On Monday, Precious Kashmir had reported that the college authorities here are risking the lives of students by not ensuring strict adherence to the set guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). “Social distancing, which is one among the major preventive measures is being violated as the administration is not paying any heed to ensure that the virus is prevented from spreading,” sources had said.

At around 12:00 PM today, a team from Maharaj Gunj visited the College to take samples of students in the college premises. However, two students were tested positive, thus indication the loopholes in ensuring the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for preventing the virus from spreading.

Sources informed that the sampling process at the College got halted as some students entered into a scuffle in which a youth sustained grievous injuries and was later rushed to the nearby medical facility for treatment.

“There is complete mess within the college premises vis-à-vis adherence to the COVID SOPs. One fails to understand why there is no strictness by the College administration in this regard,” some insiders said.

“There are people especially staff who try to ensure strict adherence to COVID guidelines, but when there is no reciprocation from the top level, all the efforts simultaneously go in vain,” they said.

Sources said that the samples of students at the college would be taken again for testing to ensure that the infected students are isolated.

Principal of the College, Asmat Abbas when contacted confirmed the detection of positive cases at the college, saying that two students who had come for admission were tested and subsequently tested positive.

“From last three days, the samples are being collected and so far one teacher and two students have tested positive,” she said, adding that the sampling will be done tomorrow as well.
About precautionary measures, she said they have decided to close the institute till further orders.

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday asked all employees aged 45 or above to get vaccinated.
“In view of the recent spike in COVID-19 infection cases across the country and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, all employees of Civil Secretariat and move offices outside Secretariat of the age of 45 years and above are advised to get themselves vaccinated at the Special Vaccination Centre setup in Civil Secretariat, Dispensary, Jammu, w.e.f 06.04.2021,” reads a government order.
“They are further advised to continue to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, even after vaccination, by maintaining hand hygiene, wearing face mask and observing social distancing etc,” the order states.

Srinagar: Government on Tuesday suspended all “close contact sports” including like Boxing, Wrestling, Judo Karate, Kabbadi, Kho-Kho, Thanga-ta, Taekwondo and Wushu  amid increase in covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The Department of Disaster Management Relief Rehabilitation & Reconstruction has issued guidelines vide Govt. Order No.13-JK(DMRRR) of 2021 dated 04.04.2021 regarding temporary closure of all the educational institutions after overall assessment of COVID spike in Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, the likelihood of young sportspersons getting infected and transmitting infection while playing close contact sports has also increased due to the recent spike in the number of infections,” reads an order by Principal Secretary to government.

“Now, therefore, it is hereby ordered that all close contact sports like Boxing, Wrestling, Judo Karate, Kabbadi, Kho-Kho, Thanga-ta, Taekwondo, Wushu and any other sports of similar character shall remain temporarily suspended till further orders,” it said.

However, all other outdoor sports activities have been ordered to be conducted after following necessary SOPs as detailed in the Circular instructions issued by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, dated 29 January this year.

By: Sajid Raina

Bandipora: Amid ongoing COVID-19 mass sampling, two butchers among six shopkeepers have been tested Covid positive in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Tuesday.

An official told KNO that soon after two mutton sellers among six shopkeepers tests positive for COVID -19, their shops have been sealed as a precaution.

He said that they have tested positive after a mass sampling and vaccination drives was held in the district. The official said that contact tracing of the covid-19 positive patients was going on.

He also said that the Covid vaccination process is in full swing in Bandipora and as many as 25,000 persons have been administered the vaccine during the last two weeks in the district.

Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad said the administration devised an action plan for the vaccination to ensure maximum coverage. He said priority has been given to senior citizens and the people above the age of 45 years.

He said the strenuous and dedicated efforts of the dedicated teams during the past two weeks are bearing fruits as more and more people are turning.

He said to ensure the maximum outreach, district administration reached roped in NGO’s, religious leaders, journalists, PRI members for wider participation of the people in the vaccination process.