Pakistan’s coronavirus outbreak has yet to peak: FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has warned that Pakistan’s coronavirus outbreak has yet to peak and the real challenge has yet to present itself.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, FM Qureshi said, “There is no doubt that coronavirus is an unprecedented challenge,” adding, “We are taking various measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus until a vaccine is developed.”

However, he said that Pakistan’s infection and the death rate were different as compared to Europe and the United States. H further said, “The death and infection rate of Pakistan is 2.17 percent,” adding, “Across the world, this percentage is 6.8 percent.”

The Foreign Minister said that Pakistan’s curve in this regard was slower and flatter as compared to other countries. “However, a flat curve means that no one can predict when the outbreak will peak,” he warned.

FM Qureshi also declared that Pakistan was ahead of other South Asian countries in terms of handling the coronavirus. “Despite being a developing country, Pakistan had held up better than most developed countries,” he asserted.

Commenting on Indian PM remarks, FM Qureshi said that the novel coronavirus didn’t discriminate.”When I see the comments made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it hurts me. Muslims are being called super spreaders.”

He also lamented the fact that hate speech and hate-mongering were taking place in India during this time of crisis.

Referring to the pilgrims’ issue, he said that Iran pushed 4,000-5,000 Pakistanis in Balochistan despite Islamabad’s request. “They are Pakistanis, we cannot disown them, we had to own them,” he said.

FM Qureshi also assured opposition parties that all of their arguments regarding coronavirus outbreak will be heard during today’s (Monday) National Assembly session.

He said that the government honoured the opposition’s request to summon a special NA session with a one-point agenda. “The time for playing the blame game is over. It is now time to tackle the coronavirus through unity,” he added.

The session of the National Assembly was summoned by President Arif Alvi last week to discuss and debate the current situation in the country arising out of the coronavirus pandemic.