Coronavirus cases in Pakistan rise to 16,817, with 385 deaths

Pakistan's coronavirus cases have climbed to 16,817 while the death toll from the pandemic has reached 385, the health ministry said.

Yesterday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan warned that the coronavirus crisis could continue for months and the lockdown was not a solution to the pandemic.

"We don't know if the current situation will continue for six months or a year," Khan said while addressing the media along with his top advisors. "I know that the worst hit due to the lockdown will be poor."

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Khan said the government so far disbursed 81 billion rupees among 6.6 million deserving families under Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme.

Pakistan markets reopen but few wear masks

In the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, life was returning to normal at fruit and vegetable markets after the government began relaxing some lockdown measures it had imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Many vendors and shoppers, however, did not follow official health recommendations and were not seen wearing face masks or practising physical distancing at the Sabzi Mandi market on April 30.