FO assures of ‘best possible’ assistance to Pakistani nationals in China

Nobody should underestimate our resolve to effectively thwart any aspiration of aggression against Pakistan, says FO

The Foreign Office on Thursday reiterated that best possible assistance is being provided to Pakistani nationals in China in the wake of Wuhan coronavirus outbreak.

 

“Our embassy and consulates in China have reached out to all the Pakistani students,” said Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui. “We are also in touch with Chinese officials who have assured us about the safety and wellbeing of our nationals.”



During the weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson stressed that “we are ensuring registration of all the students in China” and added that diet of the students had also been discussed with the university and Chinese officials.

Farooqui said a technical committee has been established to take precautionary measures to effectively fight the coronavirus whereas special instructions had also been issued by the National Institute of Health in this regard.

Earlier on Wednesday, health authorities had confirmed that four Pakistani students in China have been tested positive for the coronavirus.

According to official figures, there are 500 to 800 registered Pakistanis studying in various universities of Wuhan – the city of 11 million people which has been quarantined by the Chinese authorities in an effort to stem the spread of the deadly virus.

“The [four] students had symptoms of coronavirus which were later confirmed after testing,” Dr Mirza told a news conference.



Referring to a recent statement by the Indian prime minister, the spokesperson regretted the constant jingoistic rhetoric and war hysteria created by the Indian government.

“India is making desperate attempts to divert attention from growing domestic and international criticism of their discriminatory, anti-Kashmir and anti-minority policies.”

“Nobody should underestimate our resolve to effectively thwart any aspiration of aggression against Pakistan."