National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal said that Pakistan was now producing all of the equipment required to combat the virus, excluding ventilators.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, he said: "We are producing a large amount of N-95 masks. So much so that that I am a little stumped as to what we will do with them."

Pakistan International Airlines and the Pakistan Air Force planes are being used to "shop" for the necessary equipment the country requires, but all of the personal protective equipment required for doctors and other frontline workers is being bought locally, he said.