PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has warned of strict measures like travel restrictions, blocking mobile phone SIMs and stopping salaries of those people who have not got coronavirus vaccination.

Health Minister Taimur Jhagra said while addressing a press conference in Peshawar along with Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information and Higher Education Kamran Bangash on Saturday that 32,000 doses of corona vaccine were administered in Peshawar in one day, and they government has set a target to vaccinate at least 10 million people in two months.

The health minister said the percentage of fake certification is low in KP, and the government is aware of it by taking stern action against those involved in this illegal practice.

Taimur Jhagra said the chances of getting corona are less among vaccinated persons. He said the backlog in vaccination cases is natural and the government is looking at this as well to facilitate maximum people. He said the government is facilitating the business community because they are hit hard due to corona lockdown and shutting down of markets and shops.

Mr Jhagra said the services of the Pakistan Army will also be utilized for implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) because the fourth wave is the wave of delta variant which moves faster. He said the rate of the positive cases in KP was 5.2 percent, and the total number of patients in hospitals is only 20 percent less than the previous wave. He said there are more people in intensive care unit (ICU) at the moment. He said more than 7.3 million doses of vaccine given as per Friday. He said 1.5 million people have been given second doses. He said the vaccination process will get further momentum.

Kamran Bangash said ban remains in place on indoor events, and only 300 people are allowed outdoors with parks remaining open. He said shopping malls will remain closed on Saturday and Sunday. He said the provincial cabinet will take important decisions regarding the local bodies elections in its next meeting. He said vaccination campaigns are in full swing in some districts, while it is slower in Peshawar.