COVID-19: Pakistan's confirmed cases jumps to 24,073, recovery rate rose to 6,464

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 24,073 on Thursday after new infections were confirmed in the country.

The province-wise break up of the total number of cases are as follows:

Total confirmed cases: 24,073

• Sindh: 8,640

• Punjab: 9,077

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 3,712

• Balochistan: 1,495

• Islamabad Capital Territory: 521

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 388

• AJK: 76

Deaths: 564

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 203

• Sindh: 171

• Balochistan: 22

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 3

• Punjab: 182

• Islamabad Capital Territory: 4

Officials have recorded more than 3.77 million cases and more than 262,000 deaths since the virus emerged in China in December.

Lockdown to be lifted in phases starting Saturday: PM Khan

Noting that Pakistan is witnessing a surge in coronavirus-related deaths, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on Thursday that the National Coordination Committee (NCC) has decided to lift the lockdown in phases starting from Saturday.

Briefing the nation about decisions made during today’s meeting of the NCC, he said the decision to lift lockdown has been taken to mitigate the suffering of daily-wage earners, labourers and weak segments of society.

“The decision has been made due to the suffering of our people,” the premier explained.

Sindh governor rejects Covid-19 emergency relief ordinance

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on Thursday rejected the “Sindh Covid-19 Emergency Relief Ordinance” approved by the provincial cabinet last week.