Pakistan, Iran actively engaged to deal with spread of coronavirus: FO

FO voices concerns over the defence deals between the US and India

Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui on Thursday said that Pakistan and Iran are actively engaged with each other to deal with the spread of coronavirus.

Pakistan had confirmed its first two cases of the deadly contagion – medically named COVID-19 – on Wednesday night with the de facto federal health minister reassuring people “there is no need to panic”.

During the weekly press briefing, the FO spokesperson said Pakistan’s embassy and two consulates in Iran are closely monitoring the situation and reaching out to the Pakistani community including the pilgrims and students.



“Helplines have also been established in the embassy and the consulates to provide necessary updates and assistance to the community members,” she said.

The spokesperson also expressed deep concern over the sporadic violence in New Delhi overnight as gangs roamed streets littered with the debris of days of sectarian riots which had killed 32 people.

“Oppression, which Kashmiri people have been suffering for decades at the hands of Indian authorities, has now found its way to the Indian capital,” Farooqui said.

Farooqui further said that United States President Donald Trump lauded Pakistan’s efforts in the fight against terrorism during his visit to India and it is a manifestation of upward trajectory in Pakistan-US relations.

The FO added that Pakistan welcomes the peace deal to be signed between the US and Afghan Taliban on February 29. She added that this will pave the way for intra-Afghan dialogue.

“This historic opportunity will be seized by all the Afghan parties to take the people of Afghanistan towards peace and stability,” the spokesperson said.

She said Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will represent Pakistan at the peace agreement-signing ceremony in Qatar.  “Pakistan has played a significant role in facilitating the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan,” she added.

She also voiced concerns over the defence deals between the US and India especially the sale of sophisticated weapon system to New Delhi.



“This will further destabilise the already volatile region,” she said. “We have alerted the international community many times about India's aggressive designs not only towards Pakistan but also other countries in the region. Pakistan has been the victim of state terrorism emanating from the eastern border and we have shared our concerns in this regard with the international community.”

Farooqui confirmed that the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pakistan is on the cards. She said both the sides are working on the schedule of the visit.