ISLAMABAD: The Overseas Workplace (FO) on Thursday stated Pakistan’s name for financial aid for struggling economies, lifting sanctions on Iran and assuaging struggling of Kashmiris in view of the raging Covid-19 pandemic was gaining resonance and changing into a robust voice globally.
Overseas Workplace Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui, in written responses to queries from journalists below the brand new media briefing format, stated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s name for debt rescheduling and financial help for the creating international locations “has gathered traction in recent days, evidenced by the joint statement of IMF and the World Bank calling for suspension of debt payments for poorer countries”.
Furthermore, she stated a unprecedented G-20 assembly is prone to happen to debate the financial affect of the coronavirus pandemic on international economic system and creating international locations.
The Pakistan authorities in its diplomatic outreach on the Covid-19 pandemic had basically centered on three messages — the necessity for offering aid in compensation of loans and financial help to creating international locations in order that they may concentrate on coping with the pandemic; removing of US sanctions on Iran that have been impeding its combat in opposition to the Covid-19 pandemic, being the worst-affected nation within the Center East; and lifting of lockdown and communications blockade imposed by Indian occupation forces on Occupied Kashmir.
Pakistan says lifting of restrictions in held Kashmir has been demanded by one and all
Moreover, Overseas Minis-ter Shah Mehmood Qureshi, whereas speaking to international ministers of nations in South Asia, reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to the South Asian Affiliation for Regional Cooperation and reiterated the will to host a video-conference of the well being ministers of the regional bloc over Covid-19.
Letters have been written to the 5 everlasting members of the UN Safety Council and these messages have been additionally underscored throughout Mr Qureshi’s telephonic conversations with counterparts in Bangladesh, Iran, the Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Turkey, Germany, Spain and France over the previous few days.
The FO spokesperson stated that the international minister in his conversations together with his counterparts expressed deep concern at the lack of treasured lives by the Covid-19 outbreak in lots of components of the world and exchanged views on finest methods to regulate the unfold of the coronavirus in addition to methods to boost cooperation to fight the menace.
KASHMIR: Ms Farooqui stated Pakistan “has not been alone” in demanding lifting of restrictions on communications and guaranteeing entry to medical provides in Occupied Kashmir as the identical has been demanded by many from inside IOJ&Okay, India, and different components of the world.
She, nonetheless, regretted that India misleadingly and mischievously portrayed the hassle as ‘politicisation’ of a humanitarian challenge.
“Pakistan believes that the collective endeavors of South Asian nations to fight common challenges should not be allowed to become victim of self-serving propaganda,” she maintained.
IRAN/GULF: On Iran, the spokesperson stated the governments of Pakistan and Iran have been frequently interacting on points associated to the pandemic. “Close coordination is taking place between the two sides, both at the leadership and working levels. Pakistan realises the problems being faced by Iran in its fight against the virus due to economic sanctions,” she stated.
Underscoring the necessity for finish to disputes within the Gulf area, Ms Farooqui stated that it has been Pakistan’s constant place that political options must be discovered for variations and disputes within the area. “After the outbreak of Covid-19, we believe that the only way to pass through these extraordinary times is by standing together, leaving differences aside, and taking collective steps by the affected countries,” she emphasised.
AFGHANISTAN: Responding to a query in regards to the Afghan peace course of that suffered a setback due to the dispute over the outcomes of presidential elections and the variations between the Taliban and Kabul over launch of prisoners, the spokesperson stated that the US-Taliban peace settlement signed in Doha on February 29 offered a “historic opportunity” for attaining peace and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan was involved over the delays within the implementation of the settlement.
“However, we are hopeful that all Afghan groups would seize this opportunity and work towards implementation of the peace agreement in letter and spirit,” she stated.
Latest discussions between the Taliban and Afghan authorities have led to hopes that points in prisoners’ launch, which have held up the progress in direction of intra-Afghan dialogue, could be addressed quickly. Spokesman for Taliban’s political workplace in Qatar Suhail Shaheen has stated that prisoners’ launch would begin from March 31 and a Taliban group would go to Bagram for identification, affirmation and launch of prisoners.
BHUTAN: FM Qureshi on Thursday spoke to {Foreign Minister} Dr Tandi Dorji of Bhutan to debate challenges confronted by South Asia and the methods to counter them within the wake of speedy unfold of Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s provide to host the Saarc Well being Ministers’ Convention to boost cooperation amongst member international locations and improvement companions within the well being sector, with particular concentrate on Covid-19.
{Foreign Minister} Dorji welcomed the proposal and expressed Bhutan’s readiness to take part, the FO stated in an announcement.
Discussing the Saarc Covid-19 Emergency Fund, it was underlined that the fund must be positioned below the Saarc secretary normal and the modalities for its use be finalised by means of consultations.
Mr Dorji underscored that given the unprecedented financial challenges confronted by the creating international locations because of the pandemic, a severe consideration of the proposed debt restructuring was essential.
Revealed in Daybreak, March 27th, 2020
