COVID-19: Balochistan
The ‘botched’ quarantine in Taftan of pilgrims returning from Iran had renewed concerns over the threadbare healthcare facilities in Balochistan.
Being under-developed and with levels of poverty, it has limited ability to test and report cases or to sustain a prolonged lockdown, which has been in place since March 24. There have also been protests by doctors over lack of protective gear.
As it is sparsely populated, the dangers of a large-scale outbreak remains low. But the porous border with Iran remains a concern.
Follow our coverage of government’s measures and the COVID-19 epidemiological outlook.
Aug 13: Section 114 imposed in Quetta
Aug 5: 34 cases reported during Eid
June 31: Quarantine centre torched in Chaman
July 28: 60 portable houses being built to speed up quarantine process
July 17: NDMA dispatches PPE to Balochistan
July 6: Covid cases drop by half
June 17: Lockdown extended
June 16: 120 ventilators available
June 12: 90% of people corona-positive
June 4: Govt bans sharing patients' profile
June 2: Govt extends lockdown
May 31: Mastung doctor succumbs to Covid-19
May 30: State-run hospitals to run 'smart OPDs'
May 29: Balochistan to investigate suspected deaths
May 28: BHC CJ tests positive for Covid-19
May 20: Lockdown extended till June 2
May 19: Balochistan against 'unnecessary' testing
May 14: Trade activities resume at Taftan border
May 13: Finance minister tests positive
May 12: Schools to reopen on June 1
May 9: lockdown to be eased from May 11
May 8: ‘Relaxed curbs will mean 1.1m cases by July’
May 7: Pilgrims returning from Iran shifted to quarantine
May 6: Lockdown extended till May 19
May 5: Balochistan govt to conduct 600 tests per day
May 2: Delay in testing belie Balochistan govt claims
May 1: 59 doctors tested positive so far
April 30: CM debt relief scheme launched
April 30: Civil hospital faces PPE shortage
April 29: 2,700 shops sealed over lockdown violations
April 28: Kamal urges youth to understand Covid-19 reality
April 26: YDA demands 15-day curfew
April 25: Health staff wants salaries
April 23: Ex-minister dies of Covid-19
April 22: Govt approves oxygen plants
April 21: Doctors say govt neglected their safety
April 21: Balochistan extends lockdown
April 19: Rs760m set aside for poor families
April 18: Balochistan aims for 50K tests
April 17: ‘Steps being taken to stamp out virus’
April 16: Traders assure Balochistan govt of support
April 16: Partial business activity resumes
April 15: ‘Ineffective’ virus tests irked BHC
April 14: Free prepared roti for Quetta’s needy
April 13: Nurses to receive Rs10,000 in health allowance
April 12: 6.5m to get relief under Ehsaas scheme
April 12: Balochistan govt accused of concealing COVID-19 tally
April 11: CM calls for digitisation to fight virus
April 11: CM to lead COVID-19 committee
April 10: Centre urged to boost Balochistan's share
April 9: Pandemic crisis may worsen
April 7: COAS orders relief for doctors
April 6: Doctors refuse to work after clash with police
April 5: 44 doctors suspended for not showing on duty
April 4: Govt approves relief package
April 3: Balochistan has 80 ventilators
April 2: Khan says there won't be shortage of food
April 1: No record of pilgrims entering Pakistan until last week, says Khan
March 27: Balochistan CM seeks medical assistance from Centre
March 25: Balochistan under lockdown
March 23: Medical city planned in Quetta as cases spike
March 22: Balochistan braces for another batch of pilgrims
March 22: Balochistan govt seeks army deployment amid surge in COVID-19 cases
March 21: Balochistan govt imposes health emergency
March 21: Quarantined pilgrims join volunteers in protest at Sukkur isolation centre
March 18: ‘1,000 pilgrims dispatched back to home provinces’
March 16: Taftan quarantine centre devoid of facilities
Produced by: Niha Dagia
Artwork: Ibrahim Yahya, Mohsin Alam