Fact check: Balochistan govt has not imposed coronavirus lockdown

Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani said Wednesday that a fake notification had been making rounds in media groups regarding the provincial government imposing a lockdown.

The notification had mentioned that a broad-based smart lockdown would be imposed in the province and that commercial activities would come to a halt at 10pm.

Read more: Coronavirus cases in Pakistan and abroad on November 18

Confirming that the notification was fake, Shahwani, in a tweet, said: "The Balochistan government has not made any decision to impose a lockdown."

"The notification circulating in media groups are fake," the spokesperson added.

The development comes a day after Balochistan Education Minister Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind had said that the provincial government has decided to begin the winter vacations in educational institutions before the scheduled time in view of the second wave of the COVID-19.

The provincial education minister announced that winter vacations will commence from December 1.

Pakistan reports 33 new coronavirus deaths in 24 hours; Govt defers decision on restrictions

“The new education year will begin from March after three-month vacations across the province,” he said.

Balochistan recorded 156 cases in the last 24 hours, with the total cases mounting up to 16,529.