The virus has so far claimed 40 lives in Pakistan, while at least 130 COVID-19 patients have fully recovered.
The situation remains fluid and we’re updating stats as soon as new figures are officially released.
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11:00pm: 23 more test positive for COVID-19 in Balochistan and G-B
Twenty-three more people were tested positive in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, raising the tally to 185 and 295 in both regions respectively.
A total of 114 tests were conducted in Gilgit-Baltistan, out of which 13 were positive.
In Balochistan, 10 new cases emerged. 17 people have also recovered from the COVID-19 in the province.
9:15pm: Residents of coronavirus hotspot Manga in K-P test negative after 14-day lockdown
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Taimur Khan Jahgra has shared good news that 109 randomly-picked residents of Manga village in Mardan have tested negative for COVID-19 after a 14-day lockdown.
“More good news! Follow up random testing in Manga, Mardan shows 109 / 109 randomly selected people tested for #coronavirus - with negative results. Manga has been under lockdown for 14+ days, people have worked with the govt to make the lockdown work, and the results show!,” he wrote on his official Twitter handle.
7:45pm: 12 more patients recuperate from COVID-19 in Sindh as number of recoveries rises to 86
Another 12 patients have recovered and their coronavirus tests came negative on Saturday, Sindh government’s spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said.
“Now the total number of recovered patients in Sindh stands at 86. People should learn that isolation or social distancing is the only cure to COVID-19. These 86 isolated themselves, can you?” he wrote on his official Twitter handle.
7:30pm: Pakistan gives stranded Afghans four-day window to leave
At the special request of Afghanistan government, Pakistan has decided to allow the exit of Afghan nationals, wishing to go back to their country.
“The Torkham and Chaman land border crossings will be opened for a specific period from April 6 to April 9 to facilitate Afghan nationals,” a statement issued by the Foreign Office said on Saturday.
The statement noted that that as a neighbour and in view of fraternal bilateral relations, Pakistan remains in abiding solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, particularly at this time of global pandemic.
In order to tackle the novel coronavirus, Pakistan has sealed its borders both with Iran and Afghanistan. The government, however, earlier allowed the movement of goods at Torkhm border.
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6:00pm: PM Imran urges 'Corona Tigers' to be relentless in war against COVID-19
Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the Coronavirus Relief Tiger Force to be relentless in their struggle against the deadly virus “without any pause or break”.
“We don’t know when coronavirus will end and how prevalent it will be in Pakistan,” he said while addressing CRF volunteers in Lahore.
5:30pm: Health minister advises people against paying heed to estimated COVID-19 tally
State Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza has appealed the people not to pay heed to the estimated number of coronavirus cases after a government report submitted in the Supreme Court said that the country's COVID-19 cases could reach up to 50,000 by April 25.
“Number of coronavirus cases being reported in media is estimation,” he said while urging people to act responsibly and follow the government’s directives at a news conference in Islamabad on Saturday.
Dr Mirza reassured the masses that the authorities are constantly monitoring the situation and are taking all necessary steps required to curb the spread of coronavirus.
5:05pm: PM Imran addresses corona relief ceremony in Lahore
Prime MInister Imran Khan addressed a ceremony held in connection with his coronavirus relief fund in Lahore on Saturday.
He urged people to be steadfast in their faith and have conviction that the nation will get through this difficult time. “Businesses that try to exploit such situations always face consequences,” he warned.
“Having patience in times of difficulty is the greatest quality of human beings,” said the premier. “We will emerge as a stronger nation after we overcome coronavirus,” he maintained.
“I often hear of stories circulating on social media that Allah has made Pakistanis such that they are resilient and won't be affected by coronavirus. Please don't believe in such stories,” he advised.
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3:40pm: PM arrives in Lahore
Prime Minister Imran Khan has arrived in Lahore on a day-long visit.
The premier will meet local officials and visit the quarantine centre established at Lahore's Expo Centre.
He is accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood, and Prime Minister's Special Assistants Dr Sania Nishtar, Shehzad Akbar, and Usman Dar.
3:00pm: Govt predicts 50,000 cases by April 25
The federal government informed the Supreme Court that they are expecting over 50,000 cases in the country by April 25.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said, as per the directives of Imran Khan, the government has decided to give one-month extra salary to healthcare professionals as an acknowledgement of their efforts.
1:46pm: Three more test positive in AJK
Three more people tested positive for the virus in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, raising the provincial tally to 12.
One patient is from Rawalakot and two from Southern Bhimber district.
13 people were released from the quarantine centre in Mardan, after staying there for 15 days.
Four were kept in isolation and the remaining nine were quarantined.
The patients were discharged after completing the checkup.
1:20pm: Sindh govt to purchase 2,00,000 COVID kits from UK-based company
Murad Ali Shah said the Sindh government will purchase 2,00,000 testing kits from a UK-based company.
He also approved the procurement of 1,00,000 kits with rapid test machines from Canada, as well as six new PCR machines.
The chief minister said the province is equipped with 7,500 test kits - which is enough for the next week - and an additional 15,000 kits will be received in the next three days.
1:00pm: Senator Murtaza Wahab confirms nine more recoveries
Adviser to Sindh chief minister Murtaza Wahab confirmed that nine more patients have recovered in the province.
He said the total number of recoveries in Sindh stand at 74.
"People should learn that isolation or social distancing is the only cure to COVID-19," he added.
Deputy Commissioner Abdul Haseeb has reported four more positive cases in Lakki Marwat District.
All four belong to the Tableeghi Jamaat and have been isolated - along with 15 other members - at District Headquarters Hospital.
The patients are residents of Mama Khel and Ahmed Khel. Both districts have been temporarily sealed.
China donated 20,000 face masks to police in Islamabad.
Islamabad Inspector General (IG) of Police Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar thanked the Chinese ambassador for the assistance.
“Pak-China friendship is deeper than the sea and higher than the Himalayas,” said Zulfiqar, adding that Pakistan will contain the virus with China’s assistance.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said the federal government is walking a tightrope having to balance between a lockdown, people dying of hunger and ensuring the economy does not collapse.
He further added that educational institutions, malls, marriage halls and restaurants have been shut, but in order to ensure the economy does not collapse, the agricultural sector and the construction sector will remain open.