Pakistan's coronavirus testing capacity will increase by May: FM Qureshi

Efforts are being made to repatriate citizens in the Gulf at the earliest, says foreign minister

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday said the country's coronavirus testing capacity would reach 20.000 to 30,000 by May.

He said earlier the testing capacity was 3,000.

Referring to the country's economy, the foreign minister stated the pandemic has badly affected the global economy and it will further increase pressure on Pakistan as it has brought economic activity to a standstill and reduced exports.

About Pakistanis stranded abroad, the foreign minister maintained that efforts are being made to repatriate the citizens in the Gulf at the earliest.

"Screening is being done at the airports and quarantine facilities have also been expanded there," said the country's top diplomat.

He added that the opening of more airports in the country has led to an increase in the number of repatriations for stranded Pakistanis.

"Opening of remaining airports has enhanced our capacity to bring back six to seven thousand Pakistanis from abroad every week."

Earlier on Wednesday, Qureshi said the number of coronavirus cases are expected to peak in Pakistan by the end of May or early June.

The foreign minister warned that the country has to be prepared for the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases and an increase in the death rate is also “not out of the question”.