ISLAMABAD – Pakistan will start offering coronavirus vaccine booster shots to health care workers and elderly citizens amid growing concerns over the new Covid variant.
Reports in local media said that Pakistan’s top platform overseeing Covid response authorised booster shots for three groups of people including healthcare workers, those aged 50 and above, and people who are immunocompromised.
The booster shot will be free of cost, akin to basic inoculation, and it can be administered at least six months after the administration of the last dose. The person receiving the additional jab could choose from Sinopharm, SinoVac and Pfizer.
Plan to administer booster shot comes as NCOC efforts to prevent a fifth wave of novel disease in Pakistan in the wake of the emergence of a deadlier and fast spreading variant.
NCOC Chief Asad Umar said on Monday said omicron variant would eventually hit Pakistan in a few weeks. The vaccine is the only option to contain its fast spread, he said while adding that the government had already banned travel countries where Omicron cases had been reported.
In a similar development, provincial authorities in Sindh imposed new restrictions across the province in view of the new variant. Sindh home department has placed a limit on indoor dining at hotels at 50 percent in all districts of the province, except provincial capital – where it said the limit would be 70 percent.
Likewise, wedding gatherings of more than 300 people have been banned in Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Hyderabad divisions, besides Khairpur and Ghotki districts.
Furthermore, travel to tourist spots, amusement parks, swimming pools, and air travel will be subject to the Covid vaccine. Business centres had been told to close by 10 pm while educational institutions will remain open.
The more contagious variant of Covid, Omicron, was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) in South Africa less than a week ago and has already appeared in many countries, with borders shutting and dozens of governments imposing travel restrictions in defiance of WHO advice.
Pakistani rupee remained stable against the US dollar, and other currencies in the open market on Friday.
On Friday, the US dollar remained stable and was being quoted at 283.2 for buying and 286.15 for selling.
Euro comes down to 308 for buying and 311 for selling. British Pound rate dropped to 358.5 for buying, and 362 for selling.
UAE Dirham AED witnessed slight drop and new rate stands at 77.4 whereas the Saudi Riyal remained stable at 76.
Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
US Dollar | USD | 283.2 | 286.15 |
Euro | EUR | 308 | 311 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 358.5 | 362 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 77.4 | 78.1 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 76 | 76.8 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 187.2 | 189 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 757.23 | 765.23 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 209 | 211 |
China Yuan | CNY | 39.89 | 40.29 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 41.19 | 41.59 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 36.41 | 36.71 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.42 | 3.53 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 1.39 | 1.45 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 921.71 | 930.71 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 61.02 | 61.62 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 174.54 | 176.54 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 26.05 | 26.35 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 739.62 | 747.62 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 78.22 | 78.92 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 211 | 213 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 27.12 | 27.42 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 324.94 | 327.44 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 8.06 | 8.21 |
Gold price in Pakistan increased as the yellow metal witnessed an upward trend in the international market.
On Friday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs217,400 and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs186,390.
Single tola of 22 Karat Gold costs Rs199,282, 21 karat rate for per tola is Rs190,225 and 18k gold rate is Rs163,050 each tola.
In the global market, gold prices hover at around $2026, gaining $8.30 on Friday.
Today Gold Price in Pakistan (8 December 2023)
City | Gold | Silver |
Lahore | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Karachi | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Islamabad | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Peshawar | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Quetta | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Sialkot | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Attock | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Gujranwala | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Jehlum | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Multan | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Bahawalpur | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Gujrat | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Nawabshah | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Chakwal | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Hyderabad | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Nowshehra | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Sargodha | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Faisalabad | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Mirpur | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
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