Pakistan Day Parade cancelled amid coronavirus

The government of Pakistan has decided on Friday to cancel the Pakistan Day Parade which was scheduled to be held on March 23, 2020, as a precaution to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus which has been diagnosed in 28 people in Pakistan so far.

The decision was taken by the National Security Committee in a meeting which was held today to discuss measures from the government to contain the virus which has affected more than 120,000 people worldwide and caused the deaths of more than 4,500 people around the world.

The committee also decided to impose a ban on public events including Pakistan Day Parade. It was also decided to put in place a ban on cinemas, events at wedding halls and public gatherings.

Pakistan is struggling to stop the spread of the coronavirus as new cases are emerging in different cities of the country each day.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, Dr Zafar Mirza, confirmed on Friday that seven new cases of the novel coronavirus had surfaced in Pakistan. All seven cases were reported in Taftan and had been isolated, he said.

The government has also decided that only 3 airports in the country will be opened for international flights. International flights will operate only at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad airports till further notice.