After surviving three successive waves of the novel coronavirus, the fourth spell, harbingering the highly transmissible Delta variant, has left the government scrambling to maintain stricter viral protocols.
This includes an emergency escalation of the nationwide inoculation campaign, where immediate vaccination has been made mandatory for all public and private sector employees, in addition to those wanting to travel.
However, the exigencies of immunisation appear to have opened a new can of worms, as reports of fake vaccination certificates begin to surface across the country. Experts fear, that if left unattended, this could be the hole that ultimately sinks the ship of Pakistan’s fight against Covid-19.
In view of said reports, authorities have taken action against more than four health department employees in Lahore and Shahdara, while also cancelling certificates found to be illegally issued.
Although investigations are still underway, sources claim that those apprehended in Lahore may face legal charges under the Punjab Employee Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEDA) Act.
According to whistleblowers on microblogging site Twitter, immunisation certificates can be forged for anywhere between Rs2,000 to Rs10,000 at major government hospitals, depending on the value of the vaccine.
