Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has called a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) after another coronavirus case of reported in Gilgit-Baltistan taking the number of infections to 20 in the country.

"The NSC meeting would be chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and participated by the chief of army staff, representatives of the provinces and other stakeholders. The meeting may decide to impose a sort of emergency or indirect emergency in the country," Special Assistant to the PM on Health Zafar Mirza told Dawn news.

An official of the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) said there was criticism that the prime minister was not playing a leading role over the issue.

"However now the meeting of the most relevant body has been called to discuss the issue and it is expected that it will decide that the federal government will provide funds for controlling the virus.

"Last week, a summary was moved by Mirza, seeking allocation of Rs 670 million and waiving off the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules so that personal protective equipment could be procured without any delay. However, the summary was rejected as the cabinet was of the view that the provinces should also contribute funds," he said.