- Govt using Covid-19 relief fund for political agenda, alleges PML-N Imran Khan has failed as both the prime minister and the federal health minister, says Shehbaz Sharif.
- Cell set up to examine virus trend: PM Imran says SBP will give soft loans to those industries that don’t lay off workers and continue to pay them salary.
- Punjab govt approves malaria drug for critically-ill Covid-19 patients The govt has procured 50,000 tablets of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine.
- Jang Group’s publisher Mir Javedur Rehman passes away in Karachi He was the brother of Mir Shakilur Rehman.
- IGP Sindh directs Tableeghi Jamaat members to stay in marakiz, consider them as quarantine centres As per the notification, no person is allowed to enter or leave from the centres.
- Nawaz exempted from appearance in sugar mills case Maryam Nawaz, Yousuf Abbas also given exemption.
- Sindh CM orders withdrawal of cases against prayer leaders “I am requesting everyone to maintain social distancing and avoid gatherings and congregations.”
- UN has sought govt proposal for assistance, says Qureshi NDMA, health ministry told to provide requirements in fight against Covid-19.
- Digital mapping of coronavirus patients being conducted in Sindh to help identify more cases Karachi’s district Central has emerged as worst-hit area of the metropolis.
- Pakistani diaspora in US to help with ventilators Organisation of Pakistani physicians in N America has contacted China for more supplies.
- Railways converts coaches into mobile isolation wards Facility has a capacity of 2,000 beds
- Abbasi granted protective bail in PSO case Four-week bail granted in fresh NAB reference.
- HEC invites proposals from Pakistani experts to deal with Covid-19 outbreak Funding grants of up to Rs15 million will be provided to those whose proposals are accepted and deemed effective.
- Pakistan will be among hardest-hit economies by coronavirus crisis, says UN report Developing countries will face a frightening combination of mounting debts, deflationary spiral and health crises.
- ECC approves Rs534bn relief package Finance ministry regrets some ministries and divisions have failed to submit their summaries.
- Trade officers to work on export order cancellations According to some textile exporters, orders close to $1.3 billion have been either cancelled or postponed.
- Another $2m ADB grant to help Pakistan fight Covid-19 The new grant supplements an initial $500,000 approved by the bank on March 20.
- Dollar gains another 60 paisas in interbank The market saw the dollar reaching as high as Rs167.50 in intraday trade before closing at Rs166.14.
- Erdogan vows to sustain economy as pressure for lockdown grows With Turkey recovering from a recession, Erdogan aims to avoid endangering it as the number of cases rose above, 10,000.
- US extends Iran nuclear cooperation sanctions waivers Pompeo signed off on waiver extensions but couched decision as one that continues restrictions on Iran’s atomic work.
- US coronavirus death toll rises past 3,000 on deadliest day New York cheers arrival of 1,000-bed Naval hospital ship.
- Dozens of Afghan forces killed in two Taliban attacks: Kabul Militants have not claimed responsibility for strikes.
- Despair and pride in China’s Wuhan as coronavirus lockdown eases Some citizens have praised the govt for their stringent measures while others are ruing the economic costs.
