ISLAMABAD, JUNE 20 (DNA) – China had led the fight against coronavirus pandemic and showed the World how to defeat it, said Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi while participating in the Video Conference on BRI-Combating Covid-19 with Solidarity, hosted by China.

According to Gwadar Pro, Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, chaired the Conference in which Foreign Ministers of a large number of ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ countries participated.

Qureshi on the occasion underscored that besides causing deaths, the COVID-19 pandemic had shaken the world and led to economic slowdown, bankruptcies, financial fissures, job-losses and disruption in global supply-chains.

Highlighting the dangers the pandemic had posed to social and political stability, the Foreign Minister said it was time for the world community to “demonstrate unity, solidarity, and multilateral cooperation to fight this pandemic.”

Qureshi underlined that Pakistan was resolutely confronting the outbreak of COVID-19 and taking all possible measures to strengthen the existing health system.

The primary focus remained on both saving lives and saving livelihoods. In order to alleviate the sufferings, Prime Minister Imran Khan had introduced major initiatives including US $ 8 billion relief package for the most vulnerable people and Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program to help the needy.

It was underscored by the Foreign Minister that the 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.

In that regard, he added, Pakistan and China were taking requisite measures to help the timely completion of the CPEC projects.

While supporting the idea of “Health Silk Road” mooted in the Conference by China, Foreign Minister Qureshi proposed that the COVID-19 vaccine, as and when it was developed, must be declared a “global public good” and made available on an equitable basis.

The Foreign Minister, drawing attention of the participants to the plight of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, called for lifting of the double lockdowns, allowing access of international health experts to Kashmir, and immediately extending requisite medical help to besieged Kashmiris.DNA

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