SYDNEY – The Delta strain, which first detected in India, has fuelled fears that the pandemic may be far from over after claiming millions of lives.
The variant which is said to be more contagious has catalyzed a third UK wave and forced the government to delay the full reopening of society it had originally slated for 21 June while Australia's largest city Sydney entered a two-week lockdown to contain a sudden Covid surge and Russia's Saint Petersburg announced a record death toll, as several European nations lifted restrictions despite the worrying spread of the highly contagious variant of the deadly virus.
Saint Petersburg on Saturday reported the country's highest daily Covid-19 death toll for a city since the start of the pandemic. Russia's second city, which has hosted six Euro 2020 matches and is due to host a quarter-final next Friday, recorded 107 virus deaths over the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh also announced a recent national lockdown from Monday over the variant, with offices shut for a week and only medical-related transport allowed.
New Zealand, in wake of the surge in Australia, announced a three-day suspension of its quarantine-free travel arrangement with its larger neighbor. The Sydney lockdown, affecting more than five million people in the city and nearby towns, was met with dismay after months of very few cases.
The Delta variant has now spread to at least 85 countries and is the most contagious of any Covid-19 strain identified, per WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The variant is so contagious that experts say more than 80 percent of a population would need to be vaccinated in order to contain it - a difficult target even for nations with significant vaccination drives.
The variant is also fuelling a surge in infections in several countries across Africa, where cases as a whole jumped 25 percent over the past week. The hardest-hit state South Africa warned Saturday that soaring caseloads linked to the Delta variant were forcing authorities to consider tighter restrictions.
Pakistani rupee continued its momentum against the US dollar, and orther currencies in the open market on Thursday, as the local currency also improved in the inter-bank market.
On Thursday, the US dollar moved down 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 | 36.76 |
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 remained under pressure as the yellow metal moved down despite an upward trend in the international market.
On Thursday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs217,100 and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs186,130.
Single tola of 22 Karat Gold costs Rs199,000, 21 karat rate for per tola is Rs189,960 and 18k gold rate is Rs162,825.00 for each tola.
In the global market, gold prices hover at around $2026, gaining $8.30 on Thursday.
Today Gold Price in Pakistan (4 September 2023)
City | Gold | Silver |
---|---|---|
Lahore | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Karachi | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Islamabad | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Peshawar | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Quetta | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Sialkot | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Attock | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Gujranwala | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Jehlum | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Multan | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Bahawalpur | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Gujrat | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Nawabshah | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Chakwal | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Hyderabad | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Nowshehra | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Sargodha | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Faisalabad | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
Mirpur | PKR 217,100 | PKR 2,565 |
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