PM Imran fears second spike in COVID-19 during winter

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday feared a spike of coronavirus in major cities of the country as winter season approaches.

The Prime Minister expressed the concern during the Clean Green Index Award Ceremony event in Islamabad.

During his address, he highlighted government’s policies to tackle the global pandemic and said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has praised Pakistan's COVID-19 strategy.

"Pakistan not only saved its people, but we also saved the economy," he said.

Imran Khan also lamented how various cities such as Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi used to be "clean" but were now suffering from pollution.

He said, "People used to drink Peshawar's water as if it was mineral water."

Commenting on Karachi situation he said that trash and garbage could be found scattered on streets of the port city while sewerage is being disposed of in the sea, causing hurdles for fishermen.

Khan also highlighted that Lahore has lost 70 percent of its greenery resulting in increase in pollution in Punjab's capital.

"In October, November, and December, the pollution levels increase to such an extent that they cause harm to people's health in Lahore," he said.

Khan emphasises the need of plantation drive and asked people to join hands to save the future of the country.

"We have destroyed our forests, and our next generation will have to pay the price for it," he said.

PM Imran Khan had launched the Clean Green Pakistan Index to start a healthy cleanliness competition among 19 cities across the country on November 15 last year.

The focus of the initiative is to inculcate a spirit of competition on cleanliness initiatives in the cities and facilitate the behavioural change, building positive attitudes, institutional strengthening for better water, sanitation and hygiene services and facilities.