Punjab to become first province with gene sequencing machine for coronavirus tracing Pakistan Thu, Jan 28, 2021 The genome sequencing machine Pakistan will be buying. Photo: Courtesy Punjab primary and secondary healthcare department In a first, a genome sequencing machine is being purchased by Punjab to help identify news strains of COVID-19 in the province. Currently, only the National Institute of Health in Islamabad has such a machine. Samples from positive patients in Punjab were sent to the federal lab if a reading was required. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar approved Rs50 million in funds to buy the genetic sequencing technology. Globally, scientists have so far identified three variants of the deadly coronavirus.