Federal Minister for Communications Murad Saeed has urged the public to adopt precautionary measures and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the spread of the virus.

The minister, who was not wearing a face mask while addressing the media, said: "I want to request Pakistanis to take precautions because we need to protect ourselves and our families from the coronavirus."

The minister also had a message for the Sindh government, telling them not to politicise the crisis. "You promised rations but instead of rations you gave bhashan to the people of Sindh. If you can't do anything on your own, then stop criticising us.

"The Ehsaas programme is also [operating] in Sindh, it's helping poor people in Karachi and your entire province."