Islamabad, May 11, 2020 (PPI-OT): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has urged political parties to act responsibly and furnish positive suggestions for incorporation in the national strategy to deal with the unprecedented challenge of coronavirus pandemic. He made the remarks in the National Assembly on Monday whilst initiating discussion on a motion moved by Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan regarding Coronavirus.
He said the current situation warrants a united approach whilst rising above any other consideration. Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan is ahead of other South Asian countries in terms of testing capacity for Covid-19. He said the country’s testing capacity per day has gradually been enhanced to twenty thousand which was one hundred when the first case of the contagion was diagnosed on 26th February.
He said we have also made seventy labs fully functional. He said our effort is to further enhance the testing capacity for the virus. The Foreign Minister said the decision to ease restrictions was taken after consultations with provinces. He said given the economic situation, the country cannot afford prolonged lockdown.
Referring to the bias against Muslims in India, the Foreign Minister regretted that RSS inspired ideology is demonizing its Muslim population for the spread of coronavirus. He said Pakistan condemns the hate speech and hate mongering against the Indian Muslims. Speaking on the motion, PML-N Leader Khawaja Asif feared the coronavirus cases could spike in the coming days. He suggested that a committee of the House be formed to examine the facilities made available at quarantine centres across the country.
Participating in the discussion, Minister for Communication Murad Saeed said it is a matter of great satisfaction that the country has domestically started production of sanitizers and masks. He regretted that the health sector was neglected in the past but the present government has now enhanced its capacity in a short span of time.
Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari appreciated the efforts put in by the provinces to fight the spread of coronavirus. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said we are ready to work together with the federal government to save lives and protect the economy. The house will now meet on Wednesday at twelve noon.
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Government of Pakistan
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