Lahore, Dec. 14 -- Pakistan is witnessing a sharp rise in influenza infections, with Punjab reporting a sharp spike in cases over the past two weeks.

Punjab's health department has said that more than 50,000 people have been treated for influenza-like illness in government hospitals across the province in just 12 days, according to a report by Samaa TV.

The spike is most pronounced in major cities, particularly Lahore, where hospitals and clinics are witnessing heavy footfall as patients seek medical care for the flu and other viral infections. Doctors say both public and private healthcare centres are under pressure due to the unusually high number of people seeking treatment.

Most patients are reporting symptoms such as dry cough, se...