{Foreign Minister} Shah Mehmood Qureshi. PHOTO: PID
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday continued its diplomatic outreach to the developed international locations, in search of their help for debt rescheduling and financial help for the growing nations in view of the continued coronavirus pandemic.
{Foreign Minister} Shah Mehmood Qureshi telephoned his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio on COVID-19 risk and likewise sought his nation’s assist for debt rescheduling. Earlier, Qureshi had additionally spoken to overseas ministers of Germany, France and others on this matter.
Italy has been battling with the coronavirus, recording the best loss of life toll on this planet from the pandemic. The nation’s loss of life toll surpassed that of China, the place the lethal virus first broke out in December final yr.
“Expressing deep sorrow and grief over the tragic loss of life, the foreign minister lauded the courage and heroism of Italian healthcare providers, and affirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Italy at this difficult time,” mentioned a press release issued right here by the International Workplace. “He thanked the Italian authorities for looking after the Pakistani community in Italy,” it added.
In view of the approaching financial difficulties, the assertion mentioned, Qureshi reiterated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s name for debt aid and restructuring for the growing states, as a way to allow them to divert assets to save lots of lives and shore up economies.
He expressed the hope that Italy, as an vital member of the EU, the G-7, and the G-20 would take up this matter at their summit.
Qureshi additional highlighted Pakistan’s continued concern over the lockdown in Indian Occupied Kashmir – now approaching eight months—which was stopping dissemination of knowledge and distribution of medical and different important provides, wanted to successfully fight the illness. He confused the necessity for a unified name to finish all restrictions in occupied Kashmir, the assertion mentioned.
{Foreign Minister} Di Maio thanked Qureshi for the decision. The 2 ministers additionally exchanged views on one of the simplest ways ahead to handle the pandemic, and agreed to stay engaged within the matter.
Prime Minister Imran has been pushing for debt aid for the growing international locations. Not too long ago, the Worldwide Financial Fund and the World Financial institution additionally referred to as on highly effective nations to think about rescheduling of the bilateral debt to permit poor international locations to cope with the fallout of the coronavirus.
At information convention, International Workplace spokesperson Aisha Farooqui mentioned that the Prime minister’s name for debt rescheduling and financial help for growing international locations was getting traction on this planet.
The spokesperson mentioned that the US had offered $1 million to Pakistan to struggle the coronavirus. She added that China had additionally been offering help to Pakistan for this goal.
When requested what steps Pakistan was taking to deliver again its nationals stranded in different international locations, Farooqui mentioned the federal government was exploring absolute best choices for the security and repatriation of the Pakistani residents in numerous components of the world.
“Travel restrictions in Wuhan are reportedly being lifted from 8th April. This can pave the way for our nationals to make their further plans in light of the guidelines issued by the governments on both sides,” she added.
The spokesperson additionally mentioned Pakistan wished the worldwide group significantly the US to carry financial sanctions on Iran within the wake of COVID-19.
