Punjab to buy gene sequencing technology to track COVID-19 variants By Punjab will be first province to acquire genome sequencing machine Chief Minister Usman Buzdar approves Rs50 million in funds for the provincial health department to place an order for genetic sequencing technology Globally, scientists have identified three variants of the deadly coronavirus so far LAHORE: Punjab will become the first province in Pakistan to acquire a genome sequencing machine, which will help it identify new strains of the coronavirus in the province. On Thursday, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar approved Rs50 million in funds for the provincial health department to place an order for genetic sequencing technology.