ISLAMABAD: National Command and Operation Centre chief Asad Umar on Wednesday dismissed the rumors of lockdown despite a rapid surge in infections in the last two weeks across Pakistan.

Umar said that Omicron cases are increasing rapidly but authorities have no plan to impose lockdown in the country for now.

“There is no chance to impose another complete lockdown,” he said during a press conference, saying the government is closely monitoring the new and more contagious Omicron variant from Pakistan and across the world.

The NCOC head also said the government is focusing on increasing the pace of its inoculation drive. He also warned people to avoid crowded places and to observe precautionary measures.

He urged people to get vaccinated as Covid cases are increasing at a fast pace in the country.

He said that 60% of cases of Omicron in the country have been reported from Karachi and Lahore.

"People living in these cities must immediately get themselves vaccinated," the minister said.

On Thursday, Pakistan's Covid positivity ratio exceeded 2 percent in a single day for the first time since October 14 last year, while 1,085 new infections were detected during the last 24 hours. The new surge pushed the positivity rate to 2.32pc.