Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industry and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood said that the export of N95 masks cannot be allowed at the moment, unless statistical evidence showed that local demands were being met.

He expressed these views while chairing a meeting of the committee overseeing the export of personal protective equipment.

According the a statement issued by the commerce ministry, the PM's aide said that many businessmen had approached him and called for allowing the export of N95 masks.

"Pakistan needs to take advantage of the opportunities arising out of the pandemic in terms of the demand for PPE, but [we need] to have enough supplies available in the country," he said.