KARACHI / LAHORE / ISLAMABAD / PESHAWAR / QUETTA: The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 9,089 on Monday after new infections were confirmed in the country.

The province-wise break up of the total number of cases as of 11:50pm, April 20, is as follows:

Total confirmed cases: 9,089

• Sindh: 2,767

• Punjab: 4,111

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 1,235

• Balochistan: 465

• Islamabad Capital Territory: 181

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 281

• AJK: 49

Deaths: 182

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 67

• Sindh: 61

• Balochistan: 6

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 3

• Punjab: 42

• Islamabad Capital Territory: 3

Officials have recorded more than 2.4 million cases and more than 165,000 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

END OF LIVE UPDATES FOR APRIL 20

Live updates for April 21 to begin here.

12:00am — Quetta, Pakistan — One more death reported in Balochistan

Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan took to Twitter to share details of the coronavirus cases in Balochistan, informing all that one more person had died from the coronavirus on Monday, April 20, 2020, taking the total death toll in the province to 6. 

11:59pm — Oil prices in negative territory

The price of a barell of oil went negative on Monday, as demand for energy kept on declining due to the adverse impact of the coronavirus on the global economy. 

11:55pm — Gilgit, Pakistan— 18 new cases emerge in GB

Eighteen new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported on Monday, as the updated toll of the total confirmed cases in Gilgit-Baltistan were reported by the territory's health department at 281. The toll previously was 263.  

11:45pm — London, UK — UK govt defends allowing sporting events before lockdown

The United Kingdom on Monday defended its decisions to allow major sporting events, such as a Liverpool football match and the Cheltenham racing festical, a few days before the lockdown across the country ensued. 

“At every stage in this crisis we have been guided by the scientific advice and have been making the right decisions at the right time,” finance minister Rishi Sunak said. 

11:20pm — Ankara, Turkey — Lockdown imposed in Istanbul, 30 other provinces

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan imposed a curfew in 31 worst affected Turkish provinces, including the capital city Ankara and the largest city Istanbul, from April 23 to April 26.

Curfews over COVID-19 were already imposed twice before in 31 Turkish provinces from April 11-12 and April 18-19.

10:56pm — Geneva, Switzerland — 'Nothing Hidden from USA': WHO

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus insisted the UN agency had not hidden from the United States any information it had about the coronavirus pandemic, AFP reported.

He said the presence of embedded US government secondees working at the WHO headquarters in Geneva "means there is nothing hidden from the US, from day one", adding: "There is no secret in WHO."

The agency further said it had been warning from the very start about the dangers of the novel coronavirus, which has killed more than 1,64,000 people globally.

"We have been warning from day one that this is a devil that everyone should fight," Ghebreyesus told a virtual briefing in Geneva, after facing scathing criticism from Washington which has accused the agency of initially downplaying the pandemic.

10:52pm — Paris, France — Fourth country to cross 20,000 death toll

France officially registered more than 20,000 deaths from coronavirus infections, becoming the fourth country to go beyond that threshold after Italy, Spain and the United States, Reuters reported.

But the number of people in intensive care fell for the 12th consecutive day, suggesting the national lockdown put in place more than a month ago is having positive effects in containing the disease.

10:24pm — London, UK — Nearly 100 healthcare workers have died from COVID-19

10:16pm — Quetta, Pakistan — Over 30 new cases take provincial tally to 465

Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani confirmed 33 new infections in the province taking the provincial tally to 465.

10:10pm — Madrid, Italy — Coronavirus death toll edges up 

Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy rose by 454, slightly up on Sunday’s tally, while the number of new cases dropped to 2,256, the lowest level in well over a month, the Civil Protection Agency said, Reuters reported.

The total death toll since the outbreak came to light on February 21 rose to 24,114, the second highest in the world after that of the United States. Total confirmed cases stood at 181,228.

There were 2,573 people in intensive care on Monday against 2,635 on Sunday. Of those originally infected, 48,877 were declared recovered against 47,055 a day earlier.

9:55pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — FM Qureshi appreciates UAE's support in COVID-19 battle

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday spoke to his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to thank him for his support in battling COVID-19. He expressed his gratitude to the diplomat for releasing 400 Pakistani prisoners and giving the green signal for their subsequent repatriation.

The Foreign Office, in a press release, said: "While exchanging views on the global outbreak of COVID-19, the two foreign ministers agreed on the importance of enhanced bilateral cooperation to jointly address the challenges."

FM Qureshi apprised Nahyan about the latest situation of the outbreak in Pakistan and the steps being taken to stem the disease. He also informed him of the efforts being made by the government for the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis from the UAE, the statement said.

Read complete story here.

9:40pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — Govt forms committee to negotiate with IPPs

The federal government announced it had formed a technical committee to hold talks with power plants on reducing electricity prices. 

The talks today were held between the IPPs and a committee led by Federal Minister for Power Omar Ayub. 

The IPPs, according to a notification issued by the government, have agreed to provide relief to consumers.

9:21pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Fixers may contact cricketers during lockdown, ICC warns PCB

The International Cricket Council (ICC) warned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday that fixers had made a plan to contact Pakistani cricketers during the lockdown. According to the alert issued by the international cricket body, fixers can also contact coaches and agents to make attractive offers. 

The alert was sent out to the anti-corruption wings of all cricket boards.

9:10pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — IMF predicts reduction in Pakistan's debt, inflation rate

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that Pakistan's debt and inflation will both decline from the financial year 2021. The international money lender said that after five years, inflation was expected to be reduced to 4.8% while Pakistan's debt will reduce to 73% of its GDP. 

9:00pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — Pakistan football team coach asks players to practice at home

Pakistan Football team’s head coach Tariq Lutfi and the captain Saddam Hussain have advised fellow footballers to start training indoors instead of wasting their time during lockdown due to Coronavirus pandemic. 

“Due to lockdown, players are unable to carry out their activities in the ground but they have the awareness and they’re doing activities at home and sharing videos with us," said Lutfi. 

8:45pm — Amsterdam, Netherlands — 750 die over 24 hours from coronavirus

The number of deaths from the novel coronavirus on Monday reached 750 in the Netherlands, taking the tally to 33,405. 

According to the National Institute for Public Health (RIVM), the total number of deaths in the country have reached 3,751. 

8:30pm — Dubai, UAE — Pakistanis complain ticket prices being sold at exorbitant rates

Pakistanis being repatriated from Dubai via special flights, complain tickets being sold at exorbitant rates. Passengers say the tickets are being sold three times the original price. A passenger claimed that the one-way ticket cost between Rs66,000 to Rs100,000. 

8:20pm — Death toll goes down drastically in Italy, Spain

Italy reported its lowest death toll in a week ever since cases of the novel virus originated in the country. Spain, on the other hand, another country hit hard by the virus, reported its lowest number of deaths in a day. 

8:13pm — How do you know if you have coronavirus or hay fever?

7:57pm — Lahore, Punjab — Over 350 cases reported bumping provincial tally to 4,111

Chief Minister Punjab announced that the provincial had 4,111 COVID-19, bumping national tally to 9,038.

7:47pm — Washington, US — Restaurants to lose $240 billion by end of 2020: survey

 US restaurants are on track to lose $50 billion in April, with losses mounting to an estimated $240 billion by the end of 2020, as the coronvirus crisis ravages the industry, according to a National Restaurant Association survey.

Two thirds of US restaurant workers - or eight million people - have been laid off or furloughed as four in 10 restaurants are closed, but at least 60% of operators say existing federal relief programs will not help them prevent more layoffs, the survey found.

7:44pm — Washington, US — Trump used his Sunday White House briefing to repeat false virus claims

7:40pm — Berlin, Germany — 'We need life again'; Germans flock to shops, worrying Merkel

7:25pm — New York, Pakistan — Mayor says lack of coronavirus testing may delay city reopening

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Monday that it could take weeks if not months before the country’s most populous city reopens due to a lack of widespread testing, even as officials elsewhere began rolling back restrictions on daily life, Reuters reported.

De Blasio, whose city is at the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis in the United States, said New York needed to be conducting hundreds of thousands of tests a day and to see hospitalizations decline further before reopening the economy.

“We could get there but we can’t do it without widespread testing and so far the federal government still can’t get their handle on that,” de Blasio said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” adding that ending social distancing too soon could rekindle the virus.

“The federal government, especially, needs to get the memo that this thing ain’t over and if you pretend it’s over it is only going to boomerang back and make it worse.”

7:17pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — PM Imran, President Alvi discuss countrywide situation in meeting

Prime Minister Imran Khan called on President Dr Arif Alvi at the Aiwan-e-Sadr and discussed contemporary political issues in backdrop of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

The meeting also discussed the current situation arising out of the coronavirus pandemic.

The president appreciated the steps taken by the government to control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

President Alvi also lauded the initiative of Prime Minister Imran regarding debt moratorium for the developing countries.

7:08pm — London, UK — COVID-19 hospital death toll rises 429 to 14,829, lowest rise in 2 weeks

The COVID-19 death toll in English hospitals rose 429 to 14,829, the lowest daily rise in at least two weeks.

“15 of the 429 patients (aged between 49 and 92 years old) had no known underlying health condition,” the health service said.

The United Kingdom’s figures will be released shortly.

6:56pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — Learnings from COVID-19 should reflect on our future healthcare system: Dr Zafar Mirza

The Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said that the coronavirus will "eventually decline, but it is necessary that the lessons learned from this pandemic reflect on our future healthcare system."

"The attention on the public health system should not go in vain," he said.

He said that the ulema had assured PM Imran Khan that they would ensure implementation of SOPs in the mosques. "We will take necessary action, after taking religious scholars in confidence, if we see that the diseases is spreading from the mosques."

6:50pm — Karachi, Pakistan — Six more police officers test positive for COVID-19

Six more police officers in the metropolis have tested positive for coronavirus taking the infected tally to 15, Karachi police chief said.

The police official said that the personnel deployed at pickets were advised to follow precautionary measures and maintain social distancing to avoid being infected by the COVID-19.

6:29pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Rs14 billion provided to heath department , says CM Buzdar

6:14pm — New Delhi, India — Lockdown partially eased, but effort falters

Absent staff and broken supply chains scuppered efforts by some Indian industries to restart Monday, weeks after the government ordered a nationwide shutdown to stem coronavirus spread, AFP reported .

Although the national lockdown has been extended until May 3, officials said certain key sectors could resume operations under strict conditions in a bid to stop the economy from hemorrhaging further.

They include agriculture, some manufacturing and construction — industries where shifts can be run and workers isolated, and which employed millions of hard-hit poorer Indians.

The relaxation came as India reported its highest daily increase of infections — 1,553 new cases for a total of 17,265, and 543 deaths.

6:12pm — Ehsaas Emergency Cash disbursed to 4.586 million needy households

6:06pm — Madrid, Spain — Coronavirus infection rate falling 'a lot' as cases top 200,000

The spread of coronavirus in Spain seems to be slowing despite more than 200,000 people now having been infected, officials said, Reuters reported.

With 200,210 recorded infections, Spain is second only to the United States in terms of confirmed cases, according to Reuters data.

But Health Emergency Chief Fernando Simon told a news conference that the rate of new infections continues to fall despite an increase in testing, suggesting the overall prevalence of the disease could be lower than expected in the population.

“Fortunately occurrence is falling a lot, even more than we had thought,” he said.

6:02pm — Beijing, China —  Health authority calls for stronger testing regime to detect coronavirus

China’s health authority called for a stronger and more rigorous testing regime to ensure that the new coronavirus does not escape detection, whether in travellers arriving from abroad or from other parts of the country, Reuters reported.

All localities must improve their testing capabilities, including those at border crossings, and report any epidemic information in a timely manner, the National Health Commission cited its director Ma Xiaowei as saying. Ma made the comments on Saturday, but they were released by the ministry on Monday.

Despite the downtrend, officials remain concerned about the re-emergence of local transmissions in parts of the country, including Beijing, where a central district has been re-classified as high-risk following three recent local infections.

5:30pm- Islamabad, Pakistan — PM Imran to appeal live on Geo Entertainment, Geo Kahani for donations

PM Imran Khan will make live appeal via Geo Entertainment and Geo Kahani telethon for coronavirus fund donations on April 23, said Senator Faisal Javed.

The senator said that the preparations are in the final stage for the biggest telethon to be aired at 4pm on Thursday.

He also asked Pakistanis around the world to participate in the telethon and donate to the corona relief fund.

5:15pm- Beijing, China — China calls for stronger testing regime to detect coronavirus

China’s health authority called for a stronger and more rigorous testing regime to ensure that the new coronavirus does not escape detection, whether in travellers arriving from abroad or from other parts of the country.

China, where the new virus emerged late last year, reported 12 new confirmed cases on April 19, the lowest since March 13.

5:00pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi asks for NA session, questions rationale behind tiger force

Former prime minister and PML-N senior leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that a session of the National Assembly should be summoned to discuss the ongoing situation in the country due to coronavirus pandemic.

The PML-N leader also questioned the rationale behind the formation of the Corona Relief Tiger Force, saying that the government officials should update on it in the session too.

He said that in such testing times, the government is trying to quell the voice of the opposition.

4:40pm- New York, US — Pakistani actress Meera stuck in virus-hit New York, asks PM for help

Film star Meera has appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan to ask Pakistani diplomats in America to help her leave New York, where coronavirus has taken hundreds of lives.

In a video message sent to Geo News, a shaken Meera told that her Chinese cameraman has died and she is stranded without any help from anyone.

“I have no savings and my survival is difficult. New York is turning into a grave. Every day thousands are dying," Meera said, adding that she doesn't want to 'die in a foreign land'.

4:35pm- Lahore, Pakistan — Yasmin Rashid says leaving for Multan to look into lack of safety equipment issue

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid spoke to Geo News, saying that she is leaving for Multan after FM Qureshi brought attention to the matter of lack of safety equipment for doctors in the city.

Rashid said that she will observe hospitals and then apprise the foreign minister on the matter.

The Punjab minister claimed that the safety gear has been provided to the doctors and staff in Multan.

4:13pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Telenor CEO donates Rs50 million to PM’s Corona Relief Fund

3:59pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Biosafety lab level 3 installed at Jinnah Hospital: Murtaza Wahab 

Provincial government Spokesperson Dr Murtaza Wahab announced that a Biosafety lab of Level 3 has been set up at the Jinnah Hospital.

The spokesperson stated that the facility was set up after CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah allocated the funds on the request of the management of Jinnah Hospital. He added that lab will be capable of carrying out 100 tests per day. 

3:50pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — SMS service for Ehsaas Emergency cash programme closes: SAPM Dr Nishtar

3:47pm - Lahore, Pakistan — Musarrat Cheema says 225 areas sealed in Punjab

Punjab Government Spokesperson Musarrat Cheema tweeted that 225 areas in the province have been sealed to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Cheema stated that if the coronavirus cases increase in a certain area then that area is sealed for a certain time period. She added that the decision is taken after consulting health professionals.

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3:36pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Relief goods donated by China Railway construction arrive in Chinese embassy

3:34pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Railways minister donates Rs50.1 million on behalf of employees to PM Imran for relief fund 

Railways Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmed donated Rs 50.1 million on behalf of the railway employees to the Prime Minister’s corona relief fund.

The railways minister donated the cheque to PM Imran Khan during a meeting at the PM House. The minister told the PM that railway employees gave their one-day salary to the fund. 

3:31pm - Peshawar, Pakistan — KP CM warns hoarders will be held accountable under the law 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan warned that anyone found hoarding goods during Ramazan will be held accountable under the law.

The CM, in a press conference, warned that he will not approve of artificial price hikes and food hoarding.

The CM also shared that the province is now trying to achieve the target of 5,000 coronavirus tests per day in the province.

3:15pm - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Malaysia reports 36 new coronavirus cases with no new deaths

Malaysian health authorities on Monday reported 36 new coronavirus cases, the lowest daily rise since the government imposed curbs on movement and business to contain the spread of the pandemic a month ago.

The new cases bring the cumulative total to 5,425 cases. The health ministry reported no new deaths on Monday, keeping total fatalities at 89.

3:14pm - Madrid, Spain — Spain's confirmed coronavirus cases surpass 200,000: health ministry

The number of people diagnosed with the new coronavirus in Spain has surpassed the 200,000 threshold, the country’s health ministry said on Monday.

The ministry said the number of cases rose to 200,210 from 195,944 cases on Sunday. Spain has the second highest number of diagnosed cases in the world after the United States, according to Reuters data.

The cumulative death toll from the coronavirus rose to 20,852 on Monday from 20,453 the day before, the ministry said.

3:12pm - Tehran, Iran — Iran death toll from new coronavirus outbreak rises by 91 to 5,209: health ministry official

The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Iran reached 5,209 on Monday with 91 deaths in the past twenty four hours, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV on Monday.

The total number of diagnosed cases of the new coronavirus in Iran, the Middle Eastern country hardest hit by the outbreak, has reached 83,505, he said.

3:06pm - Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab govt revises tally, nationwide cases decrease to 8,648

The nationwide tally of confirmed patient decreased to 8,648 after Punjab government in its latest update on the coronavirus revised the provincial tally of positive cases.

In the latest update issued by Punajb's Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, the provincial government decreased the provincial tally by 101 cases putting it at 3721.

3:00pm- Karachi, Pakistan— CM Sindh’s message on coronavirus situation in province

CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah, in a message on the current coronavirus situation, said that the death toll ratio has now reached 2.2% in the province.

He said that 65 new cases were reported in southern Karachi, 31 in central district, 28 in east, 23 in Korangi and five in the west district as per the breakdown.

2:52pm- Islamabad, Pakistan — SAPM Dr Zafar Mirza briefs parliamentary committee

SAPM Dr Zafar Mirza briefed the parliamentary committee on the coronavirus situation, saying that the country has seen a large number of tests as of late.

He said that the government is striving to acquire more N-95 masks, adding that it will be mandatory for doctors to wear these masks while treating coronavirus patients.

The SAPM on health said that Pakistan will eventually begin production of N-95 masks and medical kits to meet its needs.

Dr Mirza said that the lockdown on provincial and national level helped curb the spread of the disease. “This time, 60% transmission cases are due to local contact,” he said.

There are 8,000 registered cases of the virus, he said, adding that in the next few days the government will implement the strategy for tracking-tests. 

2:40pm- Ghana, Africa — Ghana ends lockdown in key regions

Ghana ended a three-week lockdown on two key regions as the west African nation’s leader said testing had improved and the measures were having a “severe” impact on the poor.

President Nana Akufo-Addo announced the lifting of restrictions on movement around the capital Accra and second region Kumasi in a televised address.

Ghana has so far confirmed 1,042 infections, with nine deaths, from the novel coronavirus.

2:25pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — CJP asks religious scholars about zakat funds for salaries

The SC has decided to seek the Sharia's view on the Zakat department’s functions and has requested opinions from Mufti Taqi Usmani and Council of Islamic Ideology.

In the written order, the CJP asked the scholars to tell whether it is permissible to use funds generated by zakat collection for the salaries.

The CJP has also asked them to give their opinion on whether the expenses of the department can be covered by those funds.

CJP Gulzar Ahmed issued the orders in the suo motu case it is hearing regarding the government’s measures to stop the spread of coronavirus.

2:18pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Nationwide tally of positive cases jumps to 8,749

Nationwide toll of positive cases rose to 8,749 after new cases were reported in Sindh.

According to provincial government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab, 227 new cases were reported in the province in the last 24 hours taking the provincial tally to 2,767.

2:18pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Country's deaths due to virus rise to 181  

Nationwide death toll form the coronavirus rose to 181 after new deaths were reported in Sindh.

According to provincial government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab, five new deaths were reported in the province in the last 24 hours taking the provincial tally to 61.

2:09pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — SAPM Awan says ulema and religious scholars have assured PM Imran of cooperation 

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan announced that the ulema and religious scholars have assured Prime Minister Imran Khan that they will comply with the 20 point SOPs announced by President Arif Alvi.

Awan, speaking to the media after the briefing, stated that action would be taken against any mosque found violating the SOPs. She also announced that the government will also introduce an education programme for Madrassah students.

1:48pm - Manila, Philippines — Country's health ministry reports 19 new deaths, 200 more cases

The Philippines health ministry on Monday reported 19 new coronavirus deaths and 200 additional infections.

In a bulletin, the health ministry said total infections have risen to 6,459 while deaths have increased to 428. But 41 more patients recovered, bringing total recoveries to 613.

1:36pm - Dipalpur, Pakistan — CM Punjab visits THQ hospital in Dipalpur, Okara

Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar visited the Tehsil Headquarter hospital in Dipalpur and overviewed the coronavirus precautions taken up in Oakara district.

According to Punjab government’s official twitter account, the CM also reviewed the different isolation wards established for men and women.

1:31pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Sindh tells SC ration distribution ongoing in province   

Advocate general Sindh told the Supreme Court that the provincial government has been distributing ration bags in the affected communities and is not taking pictures as it does not want to do politics on the matter.

The provincial lawyer explained to the court that the committees formed at the union council level determine the people in need for the ration.

The lawyer explained after the CJP Ahmad and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah asked about the details of the ration distribution in the province.

1:21pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Industrialists say authorities harassing them under SOPs   

President of Korangi Association Shaikh Umar Rehan has claimed that industrialists are being harassed under the garb of SOPs set up for them to open business due to the coronavirus.

Rehan warned the government that they will shut down the industry if the harassment dow not stop. He added that in the current times if the importance of the industries is not understood than the economy will be ruined.

1:12pm - Moscow, Russia — Russian coronavirus cases surpass 47,000, new cases drop

Russia reported 4,268 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Monday, fewer than 6,060 on the previous day, which took the total number of cases to 47,121.

Forty-four Russian coronavirus patients died in the last 24 hours, the Russian coronavirus crisis response center said.

1:05pm - Lahore, Pakistan — LHC issues notices to federal, Punjab govts in plea seeking establishment funds for lawyers 

The Lahore High Court has issued notices to the federal and Punjab governments in a plea seeking the establishment of a corona relief fund for the lawyers.

LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan was hearing the petition filed by LHC Bar Association secretary.

In the plea, the LHCBA has asked the court to direct the government to issue a corona relief fund for the lawyers in the country.

12:57pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — CJP seeks details of Zakat department's spending

Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed on Monday asked about the details about the spending of the Zakat department during a hearing of the suo motu case regarding the coroanvirus crisis.  

A five-member larger bench of the apex court — headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed — is hearing the suo motu case. Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed are also on the bench.

In the hearing held today, the Attorney-General of Pakistan, Khalid Javed, told the court that the National Disaster Management Authority and the health department had submitted separate responses to court over the measures put in place to contain the spread of the virus.

"The Zakat department has not submitted a response," CJP Ahmed observed. "The queries of the court with regards to the matters of the Zakat department have been replied to only with references to certain laws," he added.

"The federal government gives the Zakat fund to the provinces. The provincial authorities are responsible for distributing the funds. A big chunk of the fund is spent on administrative matters," he added.

Read full story here.

12:42pm - Dubai, UAE — UAE asks citizens to pray at home during Ramazan

Religious authorities in the United Arab Emirates said medical workers treating COVID-19 patients are exempt from fasting during Ramazan and urged Muslims not to congregate for prayers during the holy month expected to start this week.

The Emirates Fatwa Council said in a statement carried on state media late on Sunday that all healthy people are obliged to fast but medical workers on the frontline of the novel coronavirus pandemic need not do so “if they fear that fasting could lead to weakening their immunity or to losing their patients”.

It said Muslims should comply with physical distancing while praying during Ramazan and the Eid ul Fitr holiday that marks its end. The UAE has suspended prayer in all houses of worship including mosques as part of containment measures.

“Congregating to perform the prayer could endanger lives, an act that is strictly forbidden in Islam,” said the statement.

12:39pm - Singapore — Singapore confirms record jump of 1,426 COVID-19 cases

Singapore’s health ministry confirmed on Monday an additional 1,426 cases of COVID-19 infection, a record daily jump that took the city-state’s tally to 8,014.

The ministry said the vast majority of the new cases were among migrant workers living in dormitories.

12:37pm – Islamabad, Pakistan — PM chairs session on Ramazan and safety procedures

PM Imran Khan chaired a session on Monday related to safety procedures and congregational prayers in the holy month of Ramazan.

In the session, ulema and religious scholars were present to give recommendations and ponder over the 20-point agenda presented by President Arif Alvi a day earlier.

The session included the minister for religious affairs, chairman Council of Islamic Ideology and several notable religious scholars. The governor Sindh, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman and Mufti Taqi Usmani also participated via video link.

The ulema and scholars assured the prime minister of complete cooperation in the matter.

12:36am - Lahore, Pakistan — LHC reserves decision on maintainability of plea challenging the firing of employees in province

Chief Justice Lahore High Court Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan has reserved his decision regarding the maintainability of a plea challenging the firing of employees in factories and private institutions due to the coronavirus.

LHC CJ Muhammad Qasim Khan was hearing a plea filed by advocate Ishtiaq Chaudhry. The petitioner had mentioned the Punjab government, provincial ministries of commerce and industries, and labour department as the respondents.

The plea is asking the court to direct the government to restore the employment status of the laid-off workers.

12: 10pm- Karachi, Pakistan — Factory in Karachi sealed over violation of SOPs

Senator Murtaza Wahab said on Twitter that the civil administration has sealed a factory in Karachi’s Korangi area for being in violation of the SOPs. 

Earlier, the Sindh government had laid down SOPs for factories to operate during the coronavirus lockdown in order to curb the spread of the disease. 

12:02pm – Punjab, Pakistan — Zafar Mirza and Yasmin Rashid ‘deceiving’ nation, Grand Health Alliance Punjab complains to CJP

The Grand Health Alliance Punjab chapter wrote a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed, complaining against the performance of the federal and Punjab health officials.

In the letter, the alliance claimed that the rooms, washrooms, and hostels of doctors and paramedics have been infected.

“Zafar Mirza and Yasmin Rashid are deceiving the nation and court regarding supply of safety equipment,” the letter read.

The GHA Punjab urged that all the medical staff should be given PPEs and the hospital staff should be given bonuses equivalent to a year’s salary.

The letter further said that the medical staff, including pharmacists, should be provided interest-free loans. 

11:42am - Hanoi, Vietnam — Vietnam says over 13,000 people linked to coronavirus cluster tested negative

More than 13,400 people linked to a COVID-19 outbreak in a village on the outskirts of the Vietnamese capital Hanoi have tested negative for the coronavirus, the government said on Monday.

Supported by the mass quarantine of tens of thousands and an aggressive contact-tracing programme, Vietnam has recorded just 268 cases of the novel coronavirus so far, and no deaths. The country has stayed clear of the virus for four consecutive days so far.

“97.7% of the total samples tested negative for the virus. Results of the rest will be released in coming days,” the government said in a statement.

The village, 32km (20 miles) from the capital city, was considered an epicentre and was placed under lockdown since April 7, after 13 people living there, including a Samsung Display worker, were infected.

Vietnam’s health ministry on Monday said over 200 samples linked to the Samsung Display worker also tested negative for the virus.

11:38am - Karachi, Pakistan - Citizens ignore social distancing at Ehsaas Programme cash collection centre

Social distancing was largely ignored by those coming to Ehsaas Programme cash collection centre on Monday as large crowds gathered in Karachi’s Korangi area.

Despite the deployment of police and rangers in the area, people could be seen gathering in large numbers and ignoring SOPs put in place at the cash collection centre.

11:36am - Peshawar, Pakistan — 135 arrested for violating Section 144 in Peshawar

District administration in Peshawar announced that it has arrested 135 people for violating section 144 imposed in the area.

The arrested people include restaurant owners, shop owners and a meat seller for keeping animals in his shop.

11:34am - Berlin, Germany — EU economics chief: 1.5 trillion euros in aid could be needed to tackle coronavirus

The European Union’s Economics Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni told German magazine Der Spiegel that aid worth around 1.5 trillion euros ($1.63 trillion) could be needed to tackle the coronavirus crisis.

“The Eurogroup has now made proposals for aid worth more than 500 billion euros to finance healthcare and short-time work and to help small and medium-sized companies. That leaves at least one trillion euros. This is roughly the amount we need to be dealing with now.”

He said the funds could be raised via the EU’s next multi-annual budget.

11:16am - Multan yet to receive medical aid from Punjab health dept

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has claimed that Multan has received no medical aid from Punjab’s health secretary, adding that he got to know through the doctors that they were receiving no support from the department.

However, Qureshi did tell Geo Pakistan that Punjab health minister and secretary will visit Multan today. He urged the authorities to focus on health care facilities in South Punjab and Multan.

11:03am - Auction of Rumman Raees' prized memorabilia raises over Rs900,000 for coronavirus relief

Fast bowler Rumman Raees auction of his cricket memorabilia has managed to generate over Rs900,000 that will be donated to support those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The 28-year-old had put up his debut ODI cap, which he received during the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, along with his jersey, cricket bat and the two-starred Islamabad United shirt.

10:47am - Berlin, Germany — Germany's coronavirus cases rise by 1,775, deaths by 110

Germany’s confirmed coronavirus cases rose by 1,775 to 141,672, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Monday, marking the second consecutive day that the number of new infections had fallen.

The reported death toll rose by 110 to 4,404, the tally showed.

10:46am - Wellington, New Zealand — New Zealand extends lockdown by a week, to ease measures on April 27

New Zealand will extend the lockdown measures in place to beat the coronavirus by a week, after which it will move to a lower level of restrictions, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.

“New Zealand will move out of Alert Level 4 lockdown at 11:59 pm on Monday April 27, one week from today,” Ardern said in a news conference.

“We will then hold in Alert Level 3 for two weeks, before reviewing how we are tracking again, and making further decisions at Cabinet on the 11th of May,” she said.

10:45am — Zurich, Switzerland — Novartis, US regulators agree to malaria drug trial against COVID-19

Novartis has reached an agreement with US regulators to hold a randomized trial of generic malaria drug hydroxychloroquine against COVID-19 disease in 440 hospitalised patients, the Swiss drugmaker said on Monday.

The decades-old medicine has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorization for coronavirus disease, but so far there is no scientific proof it helps those afflicted, Reuters reported.

10:40am — Lahore, Pakistan — PIA flight departs for Dubai to bring back stranded Pakistanis 

A Pakistan International Airlines flight that will bring back stranded Pakistanis from Dubai on Monday morning departed for the port city from Lahore.

Another flight that is coming to Pakistan from London will also stopover in Dubai to pick up some Pakistanis before flying back home. 

10:30am — Peshawar, Pakistan — Hospital capacity in KP being reserved for worst virus cases: KP minister Jhagra

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Health and Finance Taimur Khan Jhagra on Monday said that the hospital capacity in the province was being reserved for worst cases of the coronavirus. 

"When positive patients are healthy, SOPs will not require them to be admitted to hospital; we need to protect that capacity for the worst cases," he said.

10:10am — Paris, France — Parisian artists illustrates life under virus lockdown