Who says masks mandatory to avoid coronavirus, asks SHC judge
KARACHI (92 News) – Hearing on a case regarding to increased prices and shortage of masks in Karachi, the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday asked that who has said that the masks are mandatory to avoid coronavirus.
The court heard plea related to shortage and inflated rates of the surgical masks after surfacing two coronavirus cases in the country. During the hearing, the lawyer of the applicant stated that prices of surgical masks are skyrocketing in the across Sindh, including Karachi, while there is an acute shortage too.
“Who said wearing mask is mandatory to get safe from coronavirus”, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked. “Have you not seen the press conference of the doctors in this context, yesterday?,” he asked the lawyer of the applicant.
“A panic has been created under the name of coronavirus in Karachi. This new way is being adopted across the city to sell the masks by making the people afraid of the virus,” the judge remarked.
The SHC bench observed that masks are available in Karachi after observing a girl wearing mask in the court room. Upon asking, the girl replied, she bought the mask from the city but after facing difficulties.
Two coronavirus cases confirmed in Pakistan
Two cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Pakistan. 22-year-old Yahya Jaffery, who has returned from Iran a few days back, tested positive. He was shifted to hospital with his family. Yahya Jaffery is being treated in the Isolation Ward.
Sources said that tests were being conducted on the people returning from Iran. The PIMS spokesman said that a Skardu-based patient has tested positive. He said that the patient had visited Iran a month ago.
Sindh DG Health Dr Mubeen said that Yahya Jaffery and his family had reached Karachi from Quetta. “We are facing some problems in this regard.”
He said that currently 20 teams of the Health Department were working.
In a tweet, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said: “I can confirm first two cases of coronavirus in Pakistan. Both cases are being taken care of according to clinical standard protocols and both of them are stable. No need to panic, things are under control. I will hold press conf tomorrow on return from Taftan.”
