AfPak File: What's Behind The Improvements In Pakistan's COVID-19 Situation?

In recent days, Pakistani government data has revealed significant declines in the number of new cases and deaths from COVID-19. What's behind the improvements in Pakistan's COVID-19 situation?

In recent days, Pakistani government data has revealed significant declines in the number of new cases and deaths from COVID-19.

However, government officials, including Prime Minister Imran Khan, have warned the country not to become complacent, especially with the risks of new cases associated with the upcoming Eid holidays.

What is behind this encouraging data? Is there a reason to be skeptical about it? What are its implications? And how should Pakistan's government be approaching the pandemic at this moment?

The latest episode of the AfPak File podcast discusses these questions and more. Joining the discussion are Dr. Raja Jawad Asghar, chief executive officer of Global Health Strategists and Implementers in Pakistan; Dr. Sadia Dawood, a house officer at the services hospital in Lahore; Sumaira Jajja, a Karachi-based senior journalist with Dawn; Pamir Sahill, a health reporter with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Pashto language service, Mashaal Radio; and Michael Kugelman, Asia Program deputy director and senior associate for South Asia at the Wilson Center.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Media Manager, Muhammad Tahir moderated the discussion.

This podcast was originally posted by RFE/RL.