The highly infectious variant that has gripped the neighbouring country was detected in Pakistan by the National Institute of Health which conducted whole-genome sequencing of SARS CoV-2 samples during the first three weeks of May 2021.

It said that one case of the Indian variant and seven of South African variant were found in samples collected three weeks back. The ministry has started tracing of both variants.

According to the health ministry spokesperson, Sajid Shah, contact tracing of all the cases is in progress by the Field Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Division and the Islamabad district health officer.