Coronavirus updates, April 19: Latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic from Pakistan and around the world
Nationwide death toll from virus climbs to 167, confirmed cases jump past 8,000; global death toll goes past 158,000
Updated Sunday Apr 19 2020
KARACHI / LAHORE / ISLAMABAD / PESHAWAR / QUETTA: The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 8,411 on Sunday after new infections were confirmed in the country.
The province-wise break up of the total number of cases as of 10:30pm, April 19, is as follows:
Total confirmed cases: 8,411
• Sindh: 2,537
• Punjab: 3,822
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 1,137
• Balochistan: 432
• Islamabad Capital Territory: 171
• Gilgit-Baltistan: 263
• AJK: 49
Deaths: 167
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 60
• Sindh: 56
• Balochistan: 5
• Gilgit-Baltistan: 3
• Punjab: 41
• Islamabad Capital Territory: 2
Officials have recorded more than 2.3 million cases and more than 160,000 deaths since the virus emerged in China in December.
Read on for the latest updates from Pakistan and around the world.
Disclaimer: There may be some discrepancy in the number of confirmed cases reported at the country level due to differences in figures quoted by federal and provincial authorities.
Geo News is constantly gathering fresh information from concerned authorities and striving to keep our readers up to date with the most accurate information available.
Orange: General updates coming in from Pakistan
Red: Reports on new cases in Pakistan
Maroon: Reports on new deaths in Pakistan
Green: Reports on recovered patients in Pakistan
LIVE UPDATES
11:57pm — San Fransisco, USA — Facebook rolls out hug emoji amid global virus lockdown
11:50pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — More than 6,500 Pakistanis to be repatriated April 20-28: Bukhari
The prime minister's aide on overseas Pakistanis, Zulfikar Bukhari has said that more than 6,500 Pakistanis stranded abroad will be brought back between April 20 and 28.
He advised passengers "to become familiar with travel SOPs before getting on board to avoid any inconvenience".
Bukhari also shared a list of scheduled flights.
11:07pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — Dr Zafar Mirza says Pakistan one of best countries 'disease control and social mitigation' wise
The prime minister's aide on health, Dr Zafar Mirza has shared a graph showing Pakistan rank low in number of cases for every one million people.
He said that despite the growing number of cases and unfortunate deaths, Pakistan has one of the world's "best responses" with regard to "disease control and social mitigation".
"Let's continue to keep it this way," he added.
10:30pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab's tally shoots up to 3,822 after 136 new cases
Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab has said that as many as 136 cases have been reported since 4pm and up to 10pm, bringing the province's tally to 3,822.
09:24pm — Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh information minister says PPE given to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital staff
Sindh information minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said that personal protection equipment (PPE) has been provided to medical staff of the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital "and other medical equipment will also be provided soon".
Shah said that the staff members' salaries will be disbursed next week.
08:59pm — Quetta, Pakistan — Balochistan's tally soars to 432 after 56 new cases
Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani has reported a surge in the province's cases by 56. The total number of infected now stand at 432.
All 56 of the new patients were infected locally. They are residents of Quetta, Mastung, Jafarabad, Chaman and Sibi.
08:09pm — Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan — Region reports one recovery, six more cases
The Gilgit-Baltistan health department has reported one more recovery, taking the tally of recoveries in the region to 194.
It also reported an increase in number of cases in the region by six more patients, taking total number of infected to 263.
There are 66 patients currently under treatment. The region has also reported three deaths.
07:47pm — New York, USA — Salman Ahmad tests negative for COVID-19 after two-week quarantine
07:30pm — Jharkand, India — Pregnant Muslim woman says she lost her baby after hospital forced her to clean up blood, accused her of spreading coronavirus
A 30-year-old Muslim woman from Jamshedpur in India's Jharkand state says she has lost the baby she was pregnant with after a series of events which occurred in the city's MGM hospital, including being accused of spreading the coronavirus after she arrived in a bleeding state.
According to The Indian Express, she has written a letter to the chief minister of the Indian state of Jharkand in which she has said: “I was abused on the lines of my religion and was asked to wipe the blood. I could not because I was shivering. I was beaten up with slippers. I was shocked and rushed to a nursing home. There it came out that my child had died."
07:12pm — Washington, USA — Social distancing rules should be same for Ramadan, Easter: Trump
President Donald Trump has said he hopes US Muslims will be held to the same social distancing standards during Ramadan as Christians at Easter, when a number of faithful chafed against coronavirus-related restrictions on large gatherings.
The US president made the comments after being asked to defend a retweet of a conservative commentator who seemed to question whether Muslims would be treated with the same severity as Christians who broke social distancing rules.
"I would say that there could be a difference," Trump said during his daily coronavirus press conference. "And we'll have to see what will happen. Because I've seen a great disparity in this country."
"They go after Christian churches but they don't tend to go after mosques," he said.
Ramadan, which begins at sunset on Thursday in the US, falls a week and a half after Easter, when some Christians bucked public health regulations to attend illicit services.
Asked whether he thought imams would refuse to follow social distancing orders, Trump responded: "No, I don't think that at all."
"I am somebody that believes in faith. And it matters not what your faith is. But our politicians seem to treat different faiths very differently."
6:59pm - Saudi health ministry says 9,362 cases in Kingdom, deaths rises to 95
6:57pm - Washington, USA — Mnuchin says Congress close to deal on coronavirus bill
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Sunday that senior Republicans and Democrats in Congress are close to reaching agreement on a new coronavirus response bill.
“I think we’re very close to a deal today and I’m hopeful we can get that done,” Mnuchin said in an interview with CNN.
6:55pm - OIC-IPHRC condemns India’s maligning of Muslims for spread of coronavirus
6:54pm - Lahore, Pakistan — Pakistan Traders Associations issues three-day ultimatum to govt for ending lockdown
Central president of Pakistan Traders Association issued a three-day ultimatum to the government to end the nationwide lockdown in the country.
The central president stated that they reject the government ‘s murder of a few businesses under the garb of the lockdown. He added that they will end the lockdown if the government does not decide in three days.
6:49pm — Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir — Nationwide tally rises to 8,213
The nationwide tally of confirmed cases rose to 8,213 after a new case was reported in AJK.
According to AJK Health Minister Dr Najib Naqi, one new case was recorded in the province taking the region's tally to 49.
6:35pm - London, UK — UK virus death toll rises by 596 to 16,060: ministry
The number of people in Britain who have died in hospital from the coronavirus has risen by 596 to 16,060, according to daily health ministry figures on Sunday.
As of 5 pm on 18 April, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 16,060 have sadly died," said the ministry, up from 15,464 earlier.
6:33pm - Quetta, Balochistan — Home minister visits quarantine centres and isolation wards in Mastung, Kalat districts
Balochistan Home Minister Zia Langove visited the quarantine centres and isolation wards in Mustang and Kalat districts said a press release issued by the ministry.
The minister assured the people that decision during the pandemic is being taken in their interests and urged the people to follow the instructions given by the government.
6:26pm - Fawad says country now able to export hand sanitizers
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry stated that the country is now able to export hand sanitizers and making masks, testing kits and ventilators locally
The minister in a tweet said that the country should be proud of the Pakistanis institutions and professionals for achieving this feat. He added that the country was also very close to producing its own N-95 masks.
The minister added that the testing kits and ventilators are at the final stage of the trial.
6:20pm - Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab minister to meet traders tomorrow
Punjab Minister for Industries, Commerce and Investment Aslam Iqbal will hold a meeting with traders tomorrow, sources told Geo News.
According to the sources, the minister will discuss with the businessmen the idea of opening shops for three days a week.
The minister said that whatever decision is considered it will be taken in view of the current situation.
6:16pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Parliamentary committee on coronavirus to meet at 12 tomorrow
The parliamentary committee on coronavirus will meet tomorrow at 12pm under the chairmanship of NA Speaker Asad Qaiser, reported Geo News.
During the meeting, Special Assistant to PM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza and provincial health ministers will give an update on the recommendations put forward by the panel in the last meeting.
They will also brief on the coronavirus situation in the country.
5:57pm - Amsterdam, Netherlands — Dutch report lowest daily corona death rate in over 3 weeks
The number of deaths caused by the novel coronavirus in the Netherlands has risen by 83, Dutch health authorities said on Sunday, which was the smallest reported daily increase since March 26.
The total number of deaths among people known to have been infected with the coronavirus increased to 3,684, while the number of confirmed infections rose by 1,066 to 32,655.
5:55pm – Islamabad, Pakistan — Govt has an eye on issues being faced on the field: SAPM Dr Nishtar
5:53pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — CAA issues new for for travellers coming into country between April 18-30
The Civil Aviation Authority issued health forms as a part of the new health policy for passengers coming into the country between April 18 to 30.
Under the new health form, all SOPs set by the government have to be followed and is compulsory for those entering the country by air.
Under the health form, a passenger can be quarantined on the advice of the designated health officer. The passengers will also have to pay for the food they will be having during the isolation period.
Anyone giving wrong information will be prosecuted under the law.
5:45pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — 4,000 ventilators currently in country: NDMA chairman
Chairman NDMA Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal stated that there are a total of 4,000 ventilators in the private and government-run hospitals of the country.
“Those who have been tested negative are being sent home,” Lt Gen Afzal said on Geo News programme Jirga. He added that work is ongoing to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
5:36pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Modi govt trying to target Muslims to divert coronavirus backlash:PM Imran
5:28pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Transport association chief says industry being overlooked
President of Karachi Transport Ittehad Irshad Hussain Bukhari lamented that the transport industry is constantly being overlooked by the government.
Bukhari warned that if the government does not decide anything on the transport industry within three days then they will bring out their cars on the roads.
5:16pm - Zurich, Switzerland — Swiss death toll rises to 1,135, confirmed infections hit 27,740
The Swiss death toll from the novel coronavirus has reached 1,135 people, the country’s public health agency said on Sunday, rising from 1,111 on Saturday.
The number of people showing positive tests for the disease increased to 27,740, it said, up from 27,404.
5:10pm - President Alvi calls out Indian govt for continued oppression in Kashmir despite pandemic
5:09pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab reports 37 new cases, nationwide tally rises to 8,212
The nationwide tally of confirmed cases rose to 8,212 after new cases were detected in Punjab.
According to spokesperson of Punjab's primary and secondary healthcare department, 37 new cases were recorded in the province taking the provincial tally to 3,686.
4:52pm - Deserving citizens can register for Ehaas Programme by midnight: SAPM Dr Nishtar
4:48pm - London, UK — Delivery of protective healthcare equipment to UK delayed: Sky News
A vital delivery of protective equipment for British healthcare workers that was due to arrive on Sunday has been delayed, Sky News reported without citing sources.
The source of the delay was not known, but the Royal Air Force was ready to transport the equipment, Sky said.
The consignment was due to arrive from Turkey containing equipment including 400,000 protective gowns.
4:44pm - Hyderabad, Pakistan — DSP and 40 cops quarantined after suspect tests positive
A deputy superintendent of police and 40 cops of the Criminal Investigation Agency branch have been quarantined after a suspect in a drug smuggling case tested positive for the coronavirus, said SSP Hyderabad.
The SSP added that the CIA centre in the city has been marked as a quarantine facility
4:27pm - Paris, France — Global coronavirus death toll tops 160,000: AFP tally
More than 160,000 people have died from the new coronavirus around the world, almost two thirds of them in Europe, according to an AFP tally at 0940 GMT Sunday based on official sources.
A total of 160,502 fatalities have been registered out of 2,331,318 cases. These include 101,398 deaths and 1,151,820 infections in Europe, the continent hardest hit by the virus.
The United States is the country with the most reported deaths at 39,090, followed by Italy with 23,227, Spain 20,453, France 19,323 and Britain 15,464.
3:55pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — Country to start producing 100,000 N95 masks daily from April 30: Shahbaz Gill
PTI leader Shahbaz Gill has said the country will start producing 100,000 N95 masks daily from April 30.
“This will not only meet Pakistan's need but will also be exported,” Gill said.
He added the masks will range between Rs300 to Rs400.
3:40pm — Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh reports highest single day surge in deaths, nationwide tally rises 167
Sindh on Sunday reported eight more deaths, taking the nationwide tally to 167.
According to Sindh government spokesperson, 56 deaths have been reported in the province so far.
3:35pm — Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh reports 182 new cases, nationwide tally rises to 8,175
The nationwide tally of confirmed cases rose to 8,175 after new cases were detected in Sindh.
According to Sindh government spokesperson 182 cases were recorded in the province taking the provincial tally to 2,537.
“In the last 24 hours, 33 people have recovered from coronavirus in Sindh,” he said.
Novak Djokovic says 'big three' discussing ways to help lower-level players amid pandemic
Novak Djokovic says has been in touch with fellow ATP Player Council members Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal to discuss ways to assist lower-ranked players facing financial struggles amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
3:25pm — London, UK — Not thinking of easing virus lockdown measures yet: minister
Britain is not considering lifting the lockdown enacted almost four weeks ago to control the coronavirus outbreak given “deeply worrying” increases in the death toll, a senior minister said on Sunday.
“The facts and the advice are clear at the moment that we should not be thinking of lifting of these restrictions yet,” Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told Sky News.
“One of the things that is deeply worrying and concerning is the high level of deaths,” Gove said. “The evidence suggests that the rate of infection and the death rate is flattening, but we’re not certain that we are yet on a downward trajectory.”
3:15pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — Ordinance being introduced to stop smuggling of essential commodities, dollars
Law Minister Farogh Naseem on Sunday said an ordinance will be introduced in a couple of days to curb smuggling of essential commodities and dollars from unusual routes.
While addressing a news conference in Islamabad, Naseem said the government has strengthened laws to punish the hoarders of wheat, sugar, flour, ghee, sanitizers, face masks and other essential items during the health crisis.
“An anti-smuggling law is also being brought to prevent smuggling of dollars and essential commodities such as sugar and wheat through undeclared routes,” Naseem said.
He added the government would not let anyone exploit the prevailing situation.
3:05pm — Tehran, Iran — Death toll from virus rises to 5,118
Iran's death toll from the new coronavirus has risen by 87 to 5,118, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV on Sunday.
The total number of infected cases in Iran, the Middle Eastern country hardest hit by the outbreak, has reached 82,211, he said.
2:55pm — Madrid, Spain — Coronavirus toll slows with 410 deaths overnight
Spain's death toll from coronavirus outbreak rose by 410 on Sunday, down from 565 on Saturday, the health ministry said.
Spain has been one of the hardest-hit countries having reported 20,453 deaths.
The country's overall coronavirus cases rose to 195,944 on Sunday, the ministry said.
2:40pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Nine more health professionals test positive at Punjab Institute of Cardiology
A doctor, three nurses and five paramedics have tested positive for the virus at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, a report said.
Earlier, two professors, four doctors and six nurses had been reported to have contracted the virus.
2:30pm — Lahore, Pakistan — 29 more patients recover from coronavirus in Punjab
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has said 29 more patients have recovered from the virus in the province.
“Till now 684 patients have recovered in the province,” said CM Buzdar, adding that 206 patients from Lahore have recovered from the virus.
2:15pm — London, UK — 'Captain Tom', 99, raises more than $31 million for health workers
Captain Tom Moore, a 99-year-old British war veteran has now raised more than 25 million pounds ($31.3 million) for the health service by walking 100 laps of his garden.
The World War Two veteran, who has used a walking frame with wheels since breaking his hip, set himself the target of walking the 25 metres around his garden 100 times before his 100th birthday on April 30.
“I am still amazed by the amount of kindness and generosity from the UK public who continue to give despite it being an uncertain time for many,” Moore said in a statement on Saturday.
2:05pm — Peshawar, Pakistan — Thank you not enough for those on the front lines saving our province, says KP health minister
1:55pm — Moscow, Russia — Russia reports record daily rise in coronavirus cases
Russia on Sunday reported a record rise of 6,060 new coronavirus cases over the previous 24 hours, bringing its nationwide tally to 42,853, the Russian coronavirus crisis response centre said.
1:40pm — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia —Top religious authority recommends home prayers in Ramazan
Saudi Arabia's highest religious body, the Council of Senior Scholars, urged Muslims worldwide to pray at home during Ramazan if their countries require social distancing to combat coronavirus, state news agency SPA reported on Sunday.
"Muslims shall avoid gatherings, because they are the main cause of the spread of infection...and shall remember that preserving the lives of people is a great act that brings them closer to God," it said in a statement.
1:30pm — Dubai, UAE — Pakistan starts repatriating UAE-based nationals
Pakistan has started repatriating some of its citizens from the United Arab Emirates, which had threatened to review labour ties with countries refusing to take back their nationals during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The first Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight carrying 227 "stranded passengers" from Dubai and other emirates left for Islamabad on Saturday evening, Pakistan's consulate general in Dubai said in a Twitter post.
1:20pm — Melbourne, Australia — Australia demands coronavirus inquiry, adding to pressure on China
Australia on Sunday added to growing pressure on China over its handling of the novel coronavirus, questioning its transparency and demanding an international investigation into the origins of the virus and how it spread.
Australia's foreign minister, Marise Payne, said her concern about China's transparency was at "a very high point".
"The issues around the coronavirus are issues for independent review, and I think that it is important that we do that," Payne told ABC television. "In fact, Australia will absolutely insist on that."
Australia's call for an investigation comes as US President Donald Trump has been stepping up his criticism of China.
1:05pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — Govt finalising scheme to support SMEs: Razak Dawood
Adviser to PM on Commerce, Textile, Industry and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood has said the government is finalising a scheme to support small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) across all sectors.
“It is our endeavour to help small businesses as compared to larger ones because of their weaker financial position,” Dawood said.
Global coronavirus cases exceed 2.31mn, death toll crosses 158,300
More than 2.31 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 158,384 have died, according to a Reuters tally.
Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.
12:50pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Will decide on resumption of train operation on April 25: minister
Railways Minister Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed has said they would decide upon the resumption of train operation from April 25 or next month, reported Radio Pakistan.
He added that the situation in the country was under control and not as bad as it was in other countries.
12:40pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — SAPM Awan hails religious leaders role in fight against COVID-19
SAPM on Information and Broadcasting Firdious Ashiq Awan has said that ulema can play a leading role in the fight against coronavirus and strengthening national efforts to prevent this pandemic.
In a series of tweets on Sunday, Awan urged the ulema to guide the general public in adopting precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
She also welcomed the decision issued by the president in consultation with the ulema about mosques in Ramazan.
12:30pm — London, UK — UK to operate special flights from Islamabad, Lahore from April 21
The United Kingdom will operate a series of special charter flights from Islamabad and Lahore for British nationals and their direct dependents to return to the UK from April.
Read more on this here.
12:20pm — Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh reports 7 more deaths
Sindh on Sunday reported seven more deaths to take the nationwide tally to 166.
According to Sindh government spokesperson, 55 deaths have been reported in the province so far.
12:10pm — Washington, US — Social distancing rules should be same for Ramadan, Easter: Trump
President Donald Trump said Saturday he hopes US Muslims will be held to the same social distancing standards during Ramazan as Christians at Easter.
"I would say that there could be a difference," Trump said during his daily coronavirus press conference. "And we'll have to see what will happen. Because I've seen a great disparity in this country.".
Asked whether he thought imams would refuse to follow social distancing orders, Trump responded: "No, I don’t think that at all."
"I am somebody that believes in faith. And it matters not what your faith is. But our politicians seem to treat different faiths very differently."
12:00pm — Dubai, UAE — India sends hydroxychloroquine to UAE for COVID-19 patients
India has agreed to send hydroxychloroquine tablets to the United Arab Emirates to be used for treating COVID-19 patients, the Gulf Arab state's embassy in New Delhi said.
"The first shipment of medicine, currently on its way to the UAE, includes 5.5 million pills for treatment of patients with COVID-19," the embassy tweeted late on Saturday.
11:40am — Karachi, Pakistan — Breakdown of tests done in provinces
11:30am — Karachi, Pakistan — PIA flight departs for Toronto
A special PIA flight departed for Toronto on Sunday to bring back stranded Pakistanis, airline sources said.
Sources added this was the first flight from Karachi to Toronto since the lockdown was imposed in the city.
Mobilink donates Rs50 million towards Prime Minister's Corona Relief Fund
In pictures: Lockdown around the world
10:50am — Karachi, Pakistan — Pillion riding ban will also be applied to women, LEA personnel
Authorities in Sindh have withdrawn pillion riding relaxations given to women and personnel of law enforcement agencies as the city entered its 28th day of lockdown.
“Under no circumstances, pillion riding is allowed in the city,” police said.
Earlier, the authorities had given an exception to women and children however, they will no longer be allowed as well. “Strict action will be taken against those breaking the rules,” police officials said.
Watch: America pizza maker uses oven to make protective equipment
10:40am — Madrid, Italy — Europe's coronavirus death toll tops 100,000
The death toll from coronavirus surged past 100,000 in hardest-hit Europe on Saturday after more fatalities were reported.
Europe accounts for a total of 100,510 deaths — nearly two-thirds of the 157,539 fatalities worldwide, according to an AFP tally.
Stay-at-home orders have been enforced in Italy and Spain, still, the hardest-hit countries in Europe, with 23,227 and 20,043 fatalities respectively, followed by France with 19,323 deaths. Britain's overall death toll is officially 15,464.
Read more here.
10:30am — Frankfurt, Germany — Coronavirus cases rise by 2,458 to 139,897
Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases have risen by 2,458 to 139,897, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Sunday.
The reported death toll has risen by 184 to 4,294, the Sunday tally showed.
10:20am — Bangkok, Thailand — 32 new cases reported, no new deaths
Thailand on Sunday reported 32 new coronavirus cases, bringing its total to 2,765, a senior official said.
Of the new cases, 28 were in the capital, Bangkok, a government spokesperson said.
Thailand has had 47 deaths from the coronavirus.
10:15am — Islamabad, Pakistan — Recoveries rise to 1,868
The number of recovered patients in the country rose to 1,868 after Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported recoveries on Sunday.
10:00am — Islamabad, Pakistan — Death toll rises to 159 in Pakistan
The death toll from coronavirus rose to 159 after 10 more deaths were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday.
The province has reported the highest number of deaths in the country, 60.
9:50am — Islamabad, Pakistan — Nationwide tally of confirmed cases rises to 7,993
The number of confirmed cases in the country rose to 7,993 on Sunday after Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported new cases.
According to the national dashboard, 60 new cases were reported in KP, while eight new cases were detected in Islamabad.
Confirmed cases in KP now stand at 1137 and 171 in Islamabad.
9:40am — Islamabad, Pakistan — Last day to register for Ehsaas Programme
SAPM on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar says deserving citizens who are unable to earn their livelihood due to coronavirus can get registered under Ehsaas Programme by sending their CNIC to 8171 till 12 midnight tonight.
The SAPM said Rs53.336 billion have so far been given to over 4.444 million deserving families under the programme.
Watch: Who's Who of pop culture unites for 'One World' coronavirus special
9:20am — Islamabad, Pakistan — FM Qureshi urges world to make joint struggle against coronavirus
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has urged the international community to make a joint struggle against coronavirus pandemic, reported Radio Pakistan.
The foreign minister said developing countries were fighting on two fronts, one against COVID-19 and second against hunger. “The pandemic COVID-19 not only affected the developing countries but also the developed countries,” he said.
Qureshi also lauded the efforts of Foreign Office staff who donated over Rs10 million to the PM’s coronavirus relief fund.
9:00am — Karachi, Pakistan — Mufti Taqi Usmani welcomes agreement on prayers during Ramazan
Religious scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani has welcomed the decision on the opening of mosques for prayers and Taraweeh during the holy month of Ramazan.
In a statement on Twitter, Mufti Usmani said he was happy that appropriate procedure regarding mosques has been decided.
“It is now the responsibility of the mosque and its administration to make sure SOPs put in place are being followed,” he said.
