PM discusses COVID-19 pandemic with Canadian counterpart

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan held a telephone conversation with his Canadian counterpart Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and discussed the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic along with other matters of mutual interest.

The prime minister offered his deep condolences over the loss of precious lives. He underscored that the pandemic was an unprecedented calamity requiring closer international cooperation.

Pakistan along with other developing countries was confronted with the twin challenge of saving lives and containing the infection, while simultaneously shoring up the economy, said the prime minister.

PM Imran Khan thanked Canada for its support for Pakistan’s inclusion in the G20’s debt relief initiative. He underlined the need to create greater fiscal space for developing countries to save lives and undertake coordinated action to address socioeconomic challenges.

The prime minister hoped that Canada would lend support to the ‘Global Initiative for Debt Relief.’ The two leaders agreed to remain closely engaged on all matters of common interest.

The two leaders also discussed the status of repatriation of each other’s nationals from their respective countries. Both appreciated the facilitation provided by the two sides in this context.

Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed deep concern over the discrimination faced by the Muslim minority in India in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. He apprised his Canadian counterpart of the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir, where the communication restrictions and lack of unfettered access to medical and other essential supplies were compounding the COVID-19 challenge.