SIM block warning proved to be game-changer: Wahab

Karachi administrator says SOPs should be ensured at Majalis

KARACHI:

The warning to block cellular SIMs of people who do not get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus disease helped convince millions of people to get inoculated, said Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab on Saturday.

"A new notification regarding lockdown in Karachi will be issued tomorrow in which special relief is given to the citizens; however, some restrictions will remain," he said talking to the media after inaugurating a drive-through vaccination center at the Afghan Ground Federal-B Area.

"Thanks to Allah, the Almighty the situation has improved due to the lockdown in Karachi. There is no precedent in history for more than 200,000 people to be vaccinated in a single day in the city, he said.

Murtaza Wahab said that the decision to turn off the SIM cards proved to be a game changer as the people did not seem to care about their lives but SIMs. Meezan Bank President Irfan Siddiqui, Central District Deputy Commissioner Taha Saleem and other officials were also present on the occasion.

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"If citizens support us, we can increase the rate of vaccines even more," he said and added a drive-through vaccination center will soon be launched in Defence area to provide maximum convenience to the citizens.

He said that with the advent of Muharram, SOPs should be ensured where Majalis are held and Zakirs will address. All people should be vaccinated and masks should be used. Wahab said that his target is to serve the people and every effort will be made to bring positive change in his city. Responding to a question, the administrator Karachi said that immediate change could not take place in the city and it would take some time.

Wahab said that in the last 24 hours, 231,000 people were vaccinated whereas a week ago, 50,000 to 55,000 people were being vaccinated daily. He urged all political parties to instruct their workers to wear masks and to vaccinate themselves.

He said that fumigation will be carried out in Districts Central, Korangi, Malir, South and other places of the city so that flies and mosquitoes do not breed.

"I do not believe in opposition and I will work with the people and we will move forward with the spirit of service to the city," Wahab said.

Speaking on the occasion, Irfan Siddiqui President Meezan Bank said that the government of Sindh has provided free vaccines to us and we have provided a facility to the citizens by setting up this center.

The Vaccine Center has 12 booths for data entry and 12 booths for vaccines. The Vaccination Center will be open from 4pm to 12pm.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2021.