FM Qureshi urges unity, multilateral cooperation to fight COVID-19

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday called on the world community to demonstrate unity, solidarity and multilateral cooperation to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

The foreign minister was addressing video conference on ‘Belt and Road International Cooperation: Combating COVID-19 with Solidarity’ hosted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The minister underscored that besides causing deaths, the pandemic has shaken the world and led to an economic slowdown, bankruptcy, financial fissures, job losses and disruption in global supply chains.

Qureshi underlined that Pakistan is resolutely confronting the COVID-19 outbreak and taking all possible measures to strengthen the existing health system. He said the primary focus remained on both saving lives and livelihoods.

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan introduced major initiatives including $8 billion relief package for the most vulnerable people and Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program to help the needy.

He said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of BRI, could play an important role in boosting regional growth and recovery in the post COVID-19 period. He said Pakistan and China are taking measures for the timely completion of CPEC projects.

While supporting the idea of ‘Health Silk Road’ mooted in the conference by China, the foreign minister proposed that the COVID-19 vaccine, as and when it is developed, must be declared a “global public good” and made available on an equitable basis.

The foreign minister also drew attention of the participants to the plight of the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and called for lifting of the lockdown, allowing access of international health experts to held Kashmir and immediately providing medical help to besieged Kashmiris.