Islamabad (Agencies): The federal government on Saturday submitted its reply before the Supreme Court (SC) explaining the measures taken by the state to stem the spread of coronavirus so far.
A five-member larger bench comprising the CJP, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Amin Ahmed, will resume hearing the case on April 13 (Monday).
Earlier a day, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed took suo motu notice on the coronavirus situation in the country. The top court judge had sent notices to the attorney general, the health secretary and the interior secretary over the inadequate facilities at the government's disposal to combat coronavirus on Friday.
In response to his reservations, the government assured the top court that authorities are taking all possible measures to curtail the rapid spread of the virus in the country.
As a preventive measure, 83 thermal scanners have so far been installed at various locations. Moreover, special counters have been set up to facilitate travelers and suspected coronavirus patients at all international airports, the top court was informed.
In line with other initiatives taken by the state to tackle the crisis, surveillance on the crossing of Taftan, Chaman and Torkham border has been tightened and quarantine centres for suspected patients have been established in 154 districts across the country.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan on Saturday rose to 4,974.
At least 2, 410 cases reported in Punjab, 1318 in Sindh, 656 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 228 in Balochistan, 215 in Gilgit Baltistan, 113 in Islamabad, and 34 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the National Command and Control Centre, the death toll related to COVID-19 has reached 80, while at least 762 patients have fully recovered.