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WhatsApp Launches Coronavirus Information Hub

WhatsApp has announced the launch of two initiatives in support of the global fight against the Coronavirus pandemic: the global launch of the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub in partnership with the World Health Organization and UNDP as well as a $1 million donation to the Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). The WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub launches today at whatsapp.com/coronavirus to provide simple, actionable guidance for health workers, educators, community leaders, nonprofits, local governments and local businesses that rely on WhatsApp to communicate. The site also offers general tips and resources for users around the world to reduce the spread of rumors and connect with accurate health information. ALSO READ WhatsApp is Bringing Self Destructing Messages Soon While people need to spend time apart, WhatsApp will continue to provide a simple, reliable, and secure way for people to communicate. These recommendations provide quick guidan..
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World Bank & ADB Approve $588 Million to Support Pakistan Against Coronavirus

The Ministry of Planning cleared an amount of $238 million from World Bank funding and endorsed another $350 million dollar funding offered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in support for the COVID-19 emergency response and to address the socio-economic disruption associated with it. A special meeting of Concept Clearance Committee / CDWP was held on Wednesday under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan. Member Social Sector Dr. Shabnum Sarfraz, Member Private Sector Asim Saeed, DG Health Dr. Safi, Country Director, World Bank, Illango Patchamuthu, ADB Country Director Xiaohong Yang and representatives from EAD, Finance and health ministry were also present in the meeting. Project concept titled “Pakistan National Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19” was presented and was subsequently approved. The emergency project focus on taking measures through additional resources for strengthening the integrated disease surveillanc..
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PTCL Supports Coronavirus Affected Families in Sukkur

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) is at the forefront to provide support to Coronavirus affected families in Sukkur in the shape of a package comprising of ration, medicines and preventive gear during the first phase. Depending on the situation and in case the need arises, the company will continue with its efforts and extend support in different cities across Pakistan. On this initiative, Rashid Khan, President & CEO, PTCL, said, “There is a dire need for companies and individuals to come forward and play their role to support those infected with this life-threatening virus. Being a national company, we stand with the nation during these tough times and will continue to support in our humble capacity”. The organization takes pride in taking proactive measures for the well-being of its employees, customers and people of the country.
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Kashmir Remains Disconnected as Coronavirus Pandemic Takes a Turn for Worse

Nearly eight million people live in the disputed state of Kashmir and all of them are deprived of reliable information, online classes, and many other facilities amidst the epidemic. This is because the state has been cut off from all Internet facilities since it was plunged into a digital black hole back in August. This happened after the Indian government revoked an article of the country’s constitution that allowed the state to have the right to self-government. This resulted in a complete shut down of communication in the region including phone lines and the internet to “to prevent militancy and curb the spread of misinformation”. In March, however, the government finally restored the state’s internet but at extremely slow speeds making it impossible to use most facilities. A new government order that is going into effect on March 26 has further extended these restrictions in the region to “prevent misuse of social media applications” and reduce “terror activities”. However, loc..
Indian Army Refuses Entry to Indian Sports Journalists Returning from PSL Coverage
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Indian Army Refuses Entry to Indian Sports Journalists Returning from PSL Coverage

Indian army has reportedly denied access to a broadcast crew returning back to India after covering the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 that came to an unfortunate end after a sharp rise in Coronavirus cases in the country. According to reports, a group of 29 Indian sports journalists was stopped and denied entry into their country at the Wagah-Attari border crossing by the Indian army. ALSO READ Shoaib Akhtar Lashes Out at Peshawar Zalmi Owner For His Coronavirus Remarks Indian army high-ups have directed all 29 members of the broadcast crew to head to Dubai first and then catch a direct flight for India. However, the broadcast crew has requested the Indian government to grant them entry from Wagah-Attari border crossing as going to Dubai during the pandemic could expose them to the Coronavirus. The crew has also pledged to undergo self-quarantine for 14 days once they step into India. Ankit Rawat, one of the members of the crew abandoned by the Indian Army, took to Twitter to ..
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Huawei Launches New AI to Diagnose Coronavirus

Information technology has played a pivotal role in China’s response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. From proactive surveillance for rapid detection and diagnosis of infection to immediate isolation and rigorous contact tracing, IT has been a valuable tool. The AI-assisted radiological image interpretation of coronavirus and intervention has helped a lot in diagnosing COVID-19 patients quicker. A similar cloud-based coronavirus pneumonia diagnosis service using AI-assisted CT image interpretation was launched by Huawei Cloud recently. The service has been developed in collaboration with Huazhong University of Science & Technology and Lanwon Technology. This new service utilizes artificial intelligence, such as computer vision and medical image analysis. It will also help in alleviating the shortage of imaging doctors. For the uninitiated, Coronavirus causes multiple lesions called fibrosis in the lungs. These lesions go through rapid changes, which is why multiple revi..
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DIRBS Won’t Block Phones for One Month Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

In view of Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic and to ensure social distancing, all GSMA valid device IMEIs seen on mobile networks but currently not registered with PTA have been granted an additional 30 days for registration of their mobile devices, increasing total time period required for registration from 60 days to 90 days. The decision was taken to provide immediate ease and facilitation to the public. The blocking of such mobile devices will continue from 19th April 2020 as per their due dates and will be communicated via SMS. As per regulations, all mobile devices being connected to local networks using local SIM are subject to registration within 60 days from 1st use of device on local mobile networks in Pakistan. However, due to extraordinary circumstances, blocking of non- registered device IMEIs, which were to be blocked between 18th March to 18th April 2020, will now start from 19 April as per due date of each device. PTA launched Device Identification Registration Block..
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Pakistan Reports Two Deaths Due to Coronavirus [Updated]

The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has reported two deaths due to deadly coronavirus. One of the deceased was a 36-year-old man from Hangu, admitted at Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar. The other was a 50-year-old man from Mardan, being treated at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad. Both patients had reportedly traveled to Saudi Arabia, recently. Update: Meanwhile, the media mistakenly reported an older man’s death from Gilgit Baltistan (GB), which later turned out to be fake. It was learned that the 90-year-old man had not tested positive for the virus, instead had a history of kidney complications. As for now, over 40 new cases have been confirmed countrywide, taking the national tally to 301. Moreover, two patients have so far recovered from the virus and have been sent home. _________________________ Wednesday Updates _________________________ After over 250 reported cases in Pakistan and rumors of a patient’s death that turned out to be false, the coun..
PSX Hit by Worst 3-Day Decline in History
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PSX Hit by Worst 3-Day Decline in History

Pakistan Stock Market cratered on Wednesday, as investors panicked over the fear of a countrywide lockdown due to Coronavirus. At the end of the day, the benchmark index, KSE-100 index went down by 6.75% or -2,200 points and was closed at 30,416 points. Samiullah Tariq, Head of Research at Arif Habib Ltd while talking with ProPakistani said that during the last three consecutive trading sessions, KSE-100 has declined by 5,645 (-15.7%) points which is the highest three-day decline in history, however it is the highest three-day decline in percentage terms since 01-Jun-1998 (-21.7%), he noted. Adnan Sami Sheikh, a senior market analyst noted that State Bank of Pakistan’s move disappointed the market which was expecting a sharper cut, looking at the outstanding offers at today’s close suggests people are desperate and are panicking to exit the market. During the start, for the fifth time in eight working days, trading was halted at the Pakistan Stock Exchange after the KSE-30 index fe..
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Educational Institutions, Online Businesses Can Use VoIP, VPN & Video Conferencing Apps Without Restrictions

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that all educational institutions and online businesses can use legal Voice over Internet Protocols (VoIP), Virtual Private Networks (VPN) and video conferencing applications to carry on their online activities without any restrictions. All legal VoIPs and VPNs and video conferencing apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, Google Meets, Zoom, Blue Jeans, Cisco WebEx, Team viewer, Meraki VPN, etc are available to be used for virtual education and business. However, as per Telecom Rules and Regulations, PTA is only taking action against those using VoIP and VPNs for terminating illegal traffic which causes loss to the exchequer. Therefore, the impression given through media by certain elements that PTA has blocked all VoIP, Video Conference and VPN solutions is incorrect. Furthermore, PTA is working in close coordination with the Ministry of IT and Telecom (MoIT&T) and Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) in facilitating and regularizing..