- Federal govt wants lockdown to be strategic, sensibly enforced, says Sindh Governor “We are determined to avert a catastrophe,” says Imran Ismail.
- Ministry told to restore internet facility for tribal areas IHC tells IT ministry to provide internet to 7 tribal districts while hearing an application on the matter.
- Murad praises PM Imran for building consensus on lockdown measures “There are exceptions to the lockdown, but they are calculated ones,” says Murad Ali Shah.
- 4 policemen held after aerial firing to control mob kills woman in Karachi Policemen had resorted to aerial firing to control a “mob”, says area SHO.
- With scarce precautionary measures, pharmacists in Karachi risk contracting Covid-19 No safety measures observed at Karachi’s largest wholesale chemist market, housing 1,500 pharmacies.
- SC seeks detailed report on govt steps against Covid-19 CJP Gulzar Ahmed tests negative for coronavirus.
- Law ready to punish hoarders Punishment to remain 3 years but procedure for arrest made simpler.
- Karachi airport being readied for limited flight operation Mock emergency exercise conducted; thermal scanners installed.
- More Tableeghi Jamaat members test positive in Punjab Health authorities said six other preachers test positive for coronavirus in Sahiwal.
- Balochistan traders reject extension in lockdown Traders say businesses will will be reopened in the province.
- PIA to start second phase of special flights today PIA has already partially restored its international schedule.
- DG ISPR terms Indian allegations of ceasefire violations, infiltration ‘baseless’ and ‘delusional’ Says the insinuations are designed to “divert global and domestic attention from unending fiasco”.
- Result of over 1,700 samples collected in slum areas expected today The death rate in Sindh due to the coronavirus has risen to 2.3pc, says CM Murad Ali Shah.
- PPP accuses GB CM of using funds for political gains GB government announcing development projects rather than focusing on containing pandemic: PPP GB president
- Pakistan becomes 40th country with 100 Covid-19 deaths PM’s aide says Punjab performs better than Sindh in combating pandemic.
- Lockdown eased, extended for two weeks ‘Low-risk industries’ allowed to reopen amid reservations by Sindh over containment of virus.
- IMF sees negative 1.5pc growth in Pakistan this year “It is likely that the global economy will experience its worst recession since the Great Depression,” the IMF says.
- Pakistan urges China to soften terms for power deals Seeks to bring down mark-up on debt to Libor+2pc, extension in debt repayment in tariff to 20 years.
- SBP says all targets to be revised downward “The global and domestic spread of Covid-19 has brought an exceptional set of challenges for the country.”
- Gold crosses Rs100,000 per tola The decision to extend the lockdown in the country has affected trade activities in all markets.
- Renegotiating capacity charges At least a quarter of Rs50bn in capacity charges can be reduced by simply by looking at punitive interest payments.
- China didn’t warn public of likely pandemic for 6 key days, alleges report The early story of the pandemic in China shows missed opportunities at every step, documents and AP interviews reveal.
- US may need to extend social distancing for virus until 2022, says study “Intermittent distancing may be required into 2022 unless critical care capacity is increased substantially“.
- Trump says WHO ‘failed in its basic duty, must be held accountable’ “Now is the time for unity and for the international community to work together,” says UN secretary general.
- US eyes virus ‘plateau’ as world weighs cautious reboot As different countries reach different stages of the virus, debates rage about how to return to normal life.
- Trump sparks polemic over ‘king’ powers Says the US constitution gives him absolute power to regulate economic activities.
- Italy and Spain allow some businesses to reopen Officials in hard-hit northern regions in Italy refused to resume business activities.
- US seeks to ‘fundamentally change’ WHO, says Pompeo The Trump administration says WHO relied heavily on Chinese accounts after the virus emerged in Wuhan.
- Pakistan reiterates backing for US efforts for Afghan peace Special envoy Khalilzad, Gen Miller call on Gen Bajwa.
- Oil climbs after OPEC+ agree record output cut OPEC+ agree to cut output by 9.7 million barrels per day.
- All cricketing nations have to support each other in these testing times: Ehsan Mani “No matches planned with unreliable India.”
- ‘Tokyo has no Plan ‘B’ for another Olympic postponement’ “We are working toward the new goal,” says Tokyo Olympics spokesperson Masa Takaya.
