1. Nawaz Shareef just wants free and fair elections and no deal, says Rana Sanaullah
What happened: PML-N’s Punjab President, Rana Sanaullah, on January 6, said that the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif neither wants to do any deal nor be a part of any such dialogues. Rana Sanaullah talked about the earlier address by the DG ISPR Major Gen Babar Iftikhar. During the press conference, Rana Sanaullah said, “Nawaz Sharif has told us categorically on multiple occasions to strive for free and fair elections and shape our political narrative on the need for institutions to remain within their boundaries.” Details: Rana Sanaullah also talked about Nawaz Sharif’s return to the country as he said, “He would announce in this regard.” At the same time, he criticised the Imran Khan-led federal government and said, “PM Imran Khan and the PTI had received funding from anti-Pakistan people.” 2. Recent rainfall in Lahore helped improve the air quality index of the city
What happened: The recent rainfall spells in the provincial capital have brought down the pollution level and the smog in Lahore. After the recent rainfalls, Lahore has been ranked the 10th most polluted city despite the Air Quality Index’s improvement. At the same time, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has hinted at more rainfall in the city starting from January 7 till January 8. Details: It is pertinent to mention that on numerous occasions during 2021, Lahore was ranked as the most polluted city globally. However, on January 6, the AQI rating of Lahore was recorded at 160 PM, which still means the city’s air is classified as unhealthy . 3. “Please follow Covid SOPs,” says Murad Raas as schools open in Punjab
What happened: After a two-week-long break in the educational institutions of Punjab, the educational minister said that schools would resume classes from January 7. It is pertinent to mention that the students in Punjab were given an extended winter break due to the rapidly spreading Covid-19. Details: Murad Raas, Punajb’s education minister, clarified that the government will not extend the winter vacations more amid the rise of Omicron variant as he tweeted, “All schools of Punjab that had winter vacations will open tomorrow. We welcome our students and teachers back to school. Please follow COVID SOPs issued by the government.” 4. 50,000 tonnes of urea to reach Pakistan from China reveals Fawad Chaudhry
What happened: Pakistan’s Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, in a tweet, revealed that “Ship carrying 50,000 tonnes of urea to reach Pakistan on February 10.” He also added that 600,000 tonnes of local fertilisers would be made available at the market by mid-January to support the farmers of Pakistan. It is pertinent to mention that a price hike of urea is seen in the international market, but the minister said that Pakistani farmers would not face urea shortage in the country. Details: The Economic Coordination Committee has also allowed the import of urea from China on an immediate basis. Urea’s import in the country is now subjected to clearance from the Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority. 5. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s first Omicron case reported in Mansehra
What happened: After the first Omicron variant case in Pakistan was reported in Karachi on December 13, the spike in cases has been witnessed countrywide. On January 5, Mansehra reported its first case of Omicron variant as the health officials immediately quarantined the patient. Details: Subsequently, this was the first Omicron variant case in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as the KP health department spokesperson said, “The infected person is a resident of Rawalpindi and has been quarantined.” At the same time, the health department has deployed a team to trace the contacts of the person who tested positive and said, “All preparations have been completed to curb the spread of Omicron. Covid vaccination is the only solution to stop Omicron spread.”