Dr Atta-ur-Rehman told 24NewsHD TV channel that a total of 109 different mutations of the coronavirus had been found so far after analysing different samples as the virus was changing the characteristics and structure rapidly.
Answering different questions by the host of 10Tak, a talk show aired by 24NewsHD on weekdays, he said although the mutations found in Pakistan were not like variant found in the United Kingdom, some similarities had been detected.
However, he noted that the changes in coronavirus in Pakistan were not that much powerful like B.1.1.7 – the new coronavirus strain originating in the United Kingdom – or the mutations detected in South Africa.
As far as the counter measures are concerned, Dr Atta – who is the chairperson of the prime minister’s national task force on science and technology –suggested ban on flight operations from abroad and rallies in the country.