March 28: Punjab, K-P announce relief packages for underprivileged amid COVID-19 lockdown
Pakistan's tally crosses 1,500; Punjab 557, Sindh 469, Balochistan 138, K-P 188, G-B 111, Islamabad 39 and AJK 2
Punjab CM says 2.5 million families would benefit from the relief package. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
KARACHI / ISLAMABAD / PESHAWAR / QUETTA / LAHORE:
The novel coronavirus – which originated in the central China city of Wuhan towards the end of December 2019 – has spread to all continents excluding Antarctica. The COVID-19 respiratory illness caused by the mysterious contagion has so far killed thousands of people and infected tens of thousands of others across the globe.
Though the deadly infestation has been contained by the Chinese government in Wuhan, the virus has now spread elsewhere, especially in Europe and the United States, with the World Health Organisation declaring Europe as the new epicentre of the viral disease.
Pakistan, despite its close proximity with China, remained unscathed until February 26 when a young man from Karachi tested positive for the novel coronavirus. He had returned from Iran – one of the worst-hit countries.
After a brief pause following the first case, COVID-19 cases witnessed a sharp surge as more pilgrims returning from Iran tested positive.
The nationwide tally of COVID-19 patients soars past 1,500 with 469 cases in Sindh, 557 in Punjab, 138 in Balochistan, 188 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 111 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 39 in Islamabad and two in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The virus has claimed 12 lives in Pakistan. On the other hand, 25 patients have fully recovered.
Since the situation remains fluid, the stats are changing fast and we’re updating them accordingly.
Follow The Express Tribune’s live coverage of the pandemic here.
11:30pm: Punjab reports 61 cases in one go, Pakistan's COVID-19 tally crosses 1,500
With a surge of 61 in number of confirmed coronavirus patients in Punjab, Pakistan's tally crossed the 1,500 mark on Saturday.
10:15pm: Eight new cases reported in K-P, provincial tally rises to 188
With the emergence of eight new COVID-19 cases in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday, total number of patients has increased to 188 in the province.
8:30pm: G-B reports eight new coronavirus cases; region's tally swells to 111
Eight new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Gilgit-Baltistan, raising the region's tally to 11, the information department confirmed on Saturday.
8:00pm: With five new cases, Balochistan's COVID-19 tally rises to 138
The Balochistan government has confirmed five new cases of coronavirus, bringing the provincial tally to 138 on Saturday.
7:00pm: K-P govt announces Rs11.4b relief package to ward off coronavirus crisis
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government on Saturday approved a Rs11.4 billion stimulus economic package to provide relief to the masses and the business community amid the coronavirus crisis.
Provincial Information Minister Ajmal Wazir, while addressing a press conference, said the relief package would benefit 1.9 million deserving families, adding that the business community has also been exempted from taxes worth Rs5 billion.
Read full story here.
6:45pm: With 8 new cases in Karachi and two in Hyderabad, Sindh’s COVID-19 tally rises to 469
The Sindh health department has confirmed 12 new cases of coronavirus, eight in Karachi and two in Hyderabad, as provincial tally rose to 469 on Saturday.
As of now, 189 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported from Karachi, seven from Hyderabad and one in Dadu.
On the other hand, a total of 265 pilgrims have been tested positive at Sukkur quarantine facility and seven in Larkana.
6:15pm: Punjab CM announces Rs10 billion COVID-19 relief package for underprivileged
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzadar, while addressing the media on Saturday, announced that the provincial government has approved a relief package worth Rs10 billion for deserving families hit by lockdown imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus.
“We have approved a Rs10 billion package to provide Rs4,000 to each deserving families across the province,” he said. “We have also waived off Rs15 billion taxes for business community,” he added.
2.5 million families would benefit from the relief package, he said.
Doctors dealing with coronavirus crisis will be given an additional one month salary, the chief minister maintained.
5:20pm: Health minister urges people not to unnecessarily flock labs for COVID-19 test
State Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza has urged the people not to flock laboratories for COVID-19 testing without fulfilling criteria set by the government.
“We are publishing an advisory in Urdu on our website about who qualifies for the coronavirus test,” he said while addressing a press conference, flanked by SAPM on National Security Moeed Yusuf and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman in Islamabad on Saturday.
Dr Mirza said given the limited number of laboratories in the country, it is not possible to test every individual for COVID-19. “With the surge in coronavirus cases people in large number are approaching laboratories for coronavirus test.”
The press conference was called to brief the media over measures taken by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.
There are currently 12,218 suspected COVID-19 patients in the country, out of which 1,408 have tested positive so far, said Dr Mirza.
“25 patients have been fully recovered while 11 have died up till now,” he added.
Moeed Yousuf said the western and eastern borders including Kartarpur Corridor will remain closed for further two weeks amid the virus outbreak.
All international flights to and from Pakistan will remain completely suspended till April 4, he added.
5:00pm: K-P confirms fourth casualty as nationwide COVID-19 death toll rises to 12
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has confirmed that another patient has succumbed to COVID-19 in the province, bringing the provincial death toll to four and nationwide tally to 12.
Provincial Information Minister Ajmal Wazir, while addressing a press conference in Peshawar on Saturday, said as of today, there are 180 confirmed coronavirus patients with 820 suspected cases in the province.
The minister said 195 had tested negative for COVID-19 till yesterday whereas test reports of 345 patients are awaited.
4:45pm: Sindh’s COVID-19 tally swells to 457 as 17 new local transmission cases emerge in Karachi
The Sindh government has confirmed 17 new locally transmitted coronavirus cases in Karachi, bringing the provincial tally to 457 on Saturday.
According to Sindh health department, the provincial capital has 181 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Overall, 14 people suffering from the contagious disease have been recovered so far, including 13 in Karachi and one in Hyderabad.
4:11 pm: Shahbaz Sharif holds a meeting with health experts via video link
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held a meeting with the health experts via video link to solicit their suggestions to limit the spread of the deadly pathogen.
The PML-N president said that doctors and paramedics are on the frontline in this fight against the coronavirus.
"Today, the whole nation salutes the doctors, nurses and the medical staff," Shahbaz said.
2:40 pm: Foreign minister arrives at Islamabad airport to receive Chinese doctors
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi arrived at Islamabad airport to receive the team of Chinese medical experts.
He said China has once again shown the world that they are friends of Pakistan.
"I am here to receive the medical team and we are grateful to China. This is a unique relationship. And such times tell us how close we are to each other," he said.
Read full story here.
2:30 pm: China aircraft carrying medical equipment arrives
China aircraft carrying relief goods arrived in Islamabad, along with a team of eight doctors who will review steps taken by Pakistan to curb the spread of the virus.
2:23 pm: Three areas of Sadiqabad police station in Rawalpindi sealed
Three areas of Sadiqabad police station in Rawalpindi were sealed after five cases of the virus were reported from the area.
Five confirmed cases and 37 suspected cases emerged in the last three days in the area.
In a bid to curb the virus, the police have ordered people to stay at homes and military personnel have been appointed on the streets.
2:00 pm: Another doctor tests positive for the coronavirus
A doctor at Liaquat National Hospital (LNH) tested positive for the coronavirus.
He had recently returned from a religious gathering in Raiwind. He has self-isolated at home and is said to be recovering.
Another 16 people tested positive for the coronavirus in Gilgit-Baltistan, raising the provincial tally to 107.
“With three patients recovered and Dr Usman Riaz’s death, the tally now stands as 103,” said advisor CM on Information Shams Mir during a daily briefing at Gilgit Press Club.
G-B Law Minister Aurangzeb Khan said G-B would receive another 76 pilgrims from Taftan, adding that arrangements are being made for their screening and testing.
State Health Minister Dr Zafar Mirza visited the PIMS isolation centre and said he was satisfied with the arrangements made for coronavirus patients.
He said the number of isolation rooms has increased from 10 to 30.
Mirza assured the medical staff that every possible measure will be taken to ensure their safety.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif will consult medical experts via video link during the national health taskforce meeting today.
K-P Health Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra posted on Twitter to send him questions, comments or suggestions so he can address the public on his Facebook live at 8pm today.
Another seven confirmed coronavirus cases emerged in Punjab, raising the provincial tally to 497.
Punjab has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases at 490, Sindh reported 457, K-P reported 180, 133 in Balochistan, 107 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 39 in Islamabad and only two in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
25 people have fully recovered, while seven are said to be in critical condition.
The federal government has allowed Thai Airways to resume flight operations to bring back Pakistani nationals stranded in Bangkok.
The stranded nationals will be brought to Islamabad via a special flight. It will arrive at 10:15 pm today.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesperson, 175 passengers will board the plane.
Read more here.
A team of eight Chinese doctors will arrive in Pakistan today to review the steps taken by the government to curb the spread of the virus.
On their two week visit, the doctors will advise Pakistani medical experts on how to contain the virus.
State Health Minister Zafar Mirza said the government will fully benefit from the experience of Chinese doctors.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa reported the highest number of confirmed cases in the province in Manga Union Council of Mardan district.
According to the data released, 79 people have been affected.
A control room has been established at the district police officer's office and more than 200 security personnel have been deployed in Manga amid the lockdown.
District Police Officer Sajjad Khan said 364 people have been arrested for violating Section 144.
8:00 am: China donates 50,000 testing kits to Pakistan
China sent another aircraft carrying medical supplies to Pakistan.
The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan said two tonnes of supplies worth 67 million rupees were delivered, including face masks, ventilators and personal protective equipment.
Read more here.
US diplomat Alice Wells said the United States is helping Pakistan fight the novel coronavirus, after it donated 11 state-of-the-art ambulances to health authorities in K-P earlier this year.
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar confirmed the death of a 22-year-old in Faisalabad, raising Punjab's death toll to 5.
The country's death toll has reached 11.
The novel coronavirus – which originated in the central China city of Wuhan towards the end of December 2019 – has spread to all continents excluding Antarctica. The COVID-19 respiratory illness caused by the mysterious contagion has so far killed thousands of people and infected tens of thousands of others across the globe.
Though the deadly infestation has been contained by the Chinese government in Wuhan, the virus has now spread elsewhere, especially in Europe and the United States, with the World Health Organisation declaring Europe as the new epicentre of the viral disease.
Pakistan, despite its close proximity with China, remained unscathed until February 26 when a young man from Karachi tested positive for the novel coronavirus. He had returned from Iran – one of the worst-hit countries.
After a brief pause following the first case, COVID-19 cases witnessed a sharp surge as more pilgrims returning from Iran tested positive.
The nationwide tally of COVID-19 patients soars past 1,500 with 469 cases in Sindh, 557 in Punjab, 138 in Balochistan, 188 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 111 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 39 in Islamabad and two in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The virus has claimed 12 lives in Pakistan. On the other hand, 25 patients have fully recovered.
Since the situation remains fluid, the stats are changing fast and we’re updating them accordingly.
Follow The Express Tribune’s live coverage of the pandemic here.
11:30pm: Punjab reports 61 cases in one go, Pakistan's COVID-19 tally crosses 1,500
With a surge of 61 in number of confirmed coronavirus patients in Punjab, Pakistan's tally crossed the 1,500 mark on Saturday.
10:15pm: Eight new cases reported in K-P, provincial tally rises to 188
With the emergence of eight new COVID-19 cases in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday, total number of patients has increased to 188 in the province.
8:30pm: G-B reports eight new coronavirus cases; region's tally swells to 111
Eight new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Gilgit-Baltistan, raising the region's tally to 11, the information department confirmed on Saturday.
8:00pm: With five new cases, Balochistan's COVID-19 tally rises to 138
The Balochistan government has confirmed five new cases of coronavirus, bringing the provincial tally to 138 on Saturday.
7:00pm: K-P govt announces Rs11.4b relief package to ward off coronavirus crisis
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government on Saturday approved a Rs11.4 billion stimulus economic package to provide relief to the masses and the business community amid the coronavirus crisis.
Provincial Information Minister Ajmal Wazir, while addressing a press conference, said the relief package would benefit 1.9 million deserving families, adding that the business community has also been exempted from taxes worth Rs5 billion.
Read full story here.
6:45pm: With 8 new cases in Karachi and two in Hyderabad, Sindh’s COVID-19 tally rises to 469
The Sindh health department has confirmed 12 new cases of coronavirus, eight in Karachi and two in Hyderabad, as provincial tally rose to 469 on Saturday.
As of now, 189 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported from Karachi, seven from Hyderabad and one in Dadu.
On the other hand, a total of 265 pilgrims have been tested positive at Sukkur quarantine facility and seven in Larkana.
6:15pm: Punjab CM announces Rs10 billion COVID-19 relief package for underprivileged
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzadar, while addressing the media on Saturday, announced that the provincial government has approved a relief package worth Rs10 billion for deserving families hit by lockdown imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus.
“We have approved a Rs10 billion package to provide Rs4,000 to each deserving families across the province,” he said. “We have also waived off Rs15 billion taxes for business community,” he added.
2.5 million families would benefit from the relief package, he said.
Doctors dealing with coronavirus crisis will be given an additional one month salary, the chief minister maintained.
5:20pm: Health minister urges people not to unnecessarily flock labs for COVID-19 test
State Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza has urged the people not to flock laboratories for COVID-19 testing without fulfilling criteria set by the government.
“We are publishing an advisory in Urdu on our website about who qualifies for the coronavirus test,” he said while addressing a press conference, flanked by SAPM on National Security Moeed Yusuf and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman in Islamabad on Saturday.
Dr Mirza said given the limited number of laboratories in the country, it is not possible to test every individual for COVID-19. “With the surge in coronavirus cases people in large number are approaching laboratories for coronavirus test.”
The press conference was called to brief the media over measures taken by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.
There are currently 12,218 suspected COVID-19 patients in the country, out of which 1,408 have tested positive so far, said Dr Mirza.
“25 patients have been fully recovered while 11 have died up till now,” he added.
Moeed Yousuf said the western and eastern borders including Kartarpur Corridor will remain closed for further two weeks amid the virus outbreak.
All international flights to and from Pakistan will remain completely suspended till April 4, he added.
5:00pm: K-P confirms fourth casualty as nationwide COVID-19 death toll rises to 12
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has confirmed that another patient has succumbed to COVID-19 in the province, bringing the provincial death toll to four and nationwide tally to 12.
Provincial Information Minister Ajmal Wazir, while addressing a press conference in Peshawar on Saturday, said as of today, there are 180 confirmed coronavirus patients with 820 suspected cases in the province.
The minister said 195 had tested negative for COVID-19 till yesterday whereas test reports of 345 patients are awaited.
4:45pm: Sindh’s COVID-19 tally swells to 457 as 17 new local transmission cases emerge in Karachi
The Sindh government has confirmed 17 new locally transmitted coronavirus cases in Karachi, bringing the provincial tally to 457 on Saturday.
According to Sindh health department, the provincial capital has 181 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Overall, 14 people suffering from the contagious disease have been recovered so far, including 13 in Karachi and one in Hyderabad.
4:11 pm: Shahbaz Sharif holds a meeting with health experts via video link
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held a meeting with the health experts via video link to solicit their suggestions to limit the spread of the deadly pathogen.
The PML-N president said that doctors and paramedics are on the frontline in this fight against the coronavirus.
"Today, the whole nation salutes the doctors, nurses and the medical staff," Shahbaz said.
2:40 pm: Foreign minister arrives at Islamabad airport to receive Chinese doctors
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi arrived at Islamabad airport to receive the team of Chinese medical experts.
He said China has once again shown the world that they are friends of Pakistan.
"I am here to receive the medical team and we are grateful to China. This is a unique relationship. And such times tell us how close we are to each other," he said.
Read full story here.
2:30 pm: China aircraft carrying medical equipment arrives
China aircraft carrying relief goods arrived in Islamabad, along with a team of eight doctors who will review steps taken by Pakistan to curb the spread of the virus.
2:23 pm: Three areas of Sadiqabad police station in Rawalpindi sealed
Three areas of Sadiqabad police station in Rawalpindi were sealed after five cases of the virus were reported from the area.
Five confirmed cases and 37 suspected cases emerged in the last three days in the area.
In a bid to curb the virus, the police have ordered people to stay at homes and military personnel have been appointed on the streets.
2:00 pm: Another doctor tests positive for the coronavirus
A doctor at Liaquat National Hospital (LNH) tested positive for the coronavirus.
He had recently returned from a religious gathering in Raiwind. He has self-isolated at home and is said to be recovering.
Another 16 people tested positive for the coronavirus in Gilgit-Baltistan, raising the provincial tally to 107.
“With three patients recovered and Dr Usman Riaz’s death, the tally now stands as 103,” said advisor CM on Information Shams Mir during a daily briefing at Gilgit Press Club.
G-B Law Minister Aurangzeb Khan said G-B would receive another 76 pilgrims from Taftan, adding that arrangements are being made for their screening and testing.
State Health Minister Dr Zafar Mirza visited the PIMS isolation centre and said he was satisfied with the arrangements made for coronavirus patients.
He said the number of isolation rooms has increased from 10 to 30.
Mirza assured the medical staff that every possible measure will be taken to ensure their safety.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif will consult medical experts via video link during the national health taskforce meeting today.
K-P Health Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra posted on Twitter to send him questions, comments or suggestions so he can address the public on his Facebook live at 8pm today.
Another seven confirmed coronavirus cases emerged in Punjab, raising the provincial tally to 497.
Punjab has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases at 490, Sindh reported 457, K-P reported 180, 133 in Balochistan, 107 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 39 in Islamabad and only two in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
25 people have fully recovered, while seven are said to be in critical condition.
The federal government has allowed Thai Airways to resume flight operations to bring back Pakistani nationals stranded in Bangkok.
The stranded nationals will be brought to Islamabad via a special flight. It will arrive at 10:15 pm today.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesperson, 175 passengers will board the plane.
Read more here.
A team of eight Chinese doctors will arrive in Pakistan today to review the steps taken by the government to curb the spread of the virus.
On their two week visit, the doctors will advise Pakistani medical experts on how to contain the virus.
State Health Minister Zafar Mirza said the government will fully benefit from the experience of Chinese doctors.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa reported the highest number of confirmed cases in the province in Manga Union Council of Mardan district.
According to the data released, 79 people have been affected.
A control room has been established at the district police officer's office and more than 200 security personnel have been deployed in Manga amid the lockdown.
District Police Officer Sajjad Khan said 364 people have been arrested for violating Section 144.
8:00 am: China donates 50,000 testing kits to Pakistan
China sent another aircraft carrying medical supplies to Pakistan.
The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan said two tonnes of supplies worth 67 million rupees were delivered, including face masks, ventilators and personal protective equipment.
Read more here.
US diplomat Alice Wells said the United States is helping Pakistan fight the novel coronavirus, after it donated 11 state-of-the-art ambulances to health authorities in K-P earlier this year.
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar confirmed the death of a 22-year-old in Faisalabad, raising Punjab's death toll to 5.
The country's death toll has reached 11.
With heavy heart, I am confirming that we have lost a 22 years old patient in Faisalabad. Total loss of lives is at 5 now. Currently we have 490 confirmed cases across Punjab.
This is a global health emergency and everybody needs to act responsibly and help us save lives. 1/2
Punjab, for the first time since the virus was first reported in the country, surpassed Sindh.
Chief Minister Usman Buzdar confirmed the total number of coronavirus cases in Punjab is 490.
The highest number of patients were in Dera Ghazi Khan, where 207 affected pilgrims had been quarantined.
The Sindh government has reported 441 confirmed coronavirus cases in the province.
Read more here.
The Ministry of Interior accepted the international non-governmental organisations assistance offer and gave them conditional approval for working on corona relief.
The government has directed the INGOs to provide four sets of documents, with details regarding their action plan.
All organisations will work with the top bodies heading the government's relief efforts, including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and PDMA.
Read more here.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed that Pakistan approached it for financial support.
“The Government of Pakistan has requested financial assistance under the Fund’s Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI),” IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a statement.
She said the emergency financing will allow the government to address urgent balance of payment needs and direct funds to Pakistan's most affected sectors.
Read more here.