Law Minister Farogh Naseem announced that the law ministry has prepared an ordinance on hoarding, on the instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan, to curb the shortage of essentials during the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at a news conference in Islamabad, he said: "The ordinance has been sent to the premier. His office is vetting it at the moment. We will release it by Monday or Tuesday."

He added that under the new ordinance, smuggling and hoarding will now be criminal offences.