Pakistan on Thursday banned the export of anti-malarial drugs with immediate effect till further orders.

The ministry of commerce issued SRO 297(I)/2020 to amend Export Policy Order, 2016 to impose the ban. The ban has been imposed due to high demand of the drugs in the wake of coronavirus spread.

The ministry amended the export policy order and brought the drug in First Schedule, which prohibits exports of the goods falling in this schedule.

The ministry said that the ban would be remained applicable till further orders or decision of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on COVID-19.