Imran khan gestures during a political rally in Lahore. Fiel

In a tweet, he credited this “positive trend” to smart lockdowns across the country and the SOPs prepared by the government.

The premier also urged people to practice caution on Eid Al Adha and avoid a repeat of the scenario, which unfolded after Eid Al Fitr when "SOPs were ignored and our hospitals choked."

He said Eid Al Adha must be celebrated with simplicity so as not to repeat what happened last Eid when SOPs were ignored and our hospitals choked.
The prime minister ordered strict implementation of government's SOPs.

Many people ignored social distancing guidelines and flocked to mosques and markets during the last religious holiday marking the end of Ramadan in May — helping fuel a subsequent surge in COVID-19 cases across Pakistan.

The increase prompted the World Health Organisation to call for new lockdowns across Pakistan.

"Eid Al Adha must be celebrated with simplicity so as not to repeat what happened last Eid when SOPs (standard operating procedures) were ignored & our hospitals were choked," Imran tweeted, adding that he was ordering the "strict implementation" of government guidelines.

The Eid festival of animal sacrifice will begin at the end of the month and lasts for several days. Authorities expect a rush of people going to markets to look for sheep, goats and other animals to slaughter.

Many in Pakistan return to their family homes from cities to observe the festival.

According to official tallies, around 260,000 people in Pakistan have tested positive for coronavirus, including more than 5,470 deaths.

In recent days, Pakistan has seen the rate of new infections slow considerably.

While some medical experts have said this is because of a decrease in testing, Imran said the "positive trend" was primarily the result of "smart" lockdowns in which hotspots are sealed off.

Agencies