Pakistan needs to prepare for challenges post coronavirus: FM Qureshi

Says timely completion of CPEC projects is one of Pakistan's top priorities

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday stressed that Pakistan needs to prepare for the challenges after coronavirus pandemic settles.

While charing a meeting on regional security and the country's priorities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), FM Qureshi said that Pakistan must use its efforts to achieve economic goals by promoting economic diplomacy.

"The world is rapidly heading for a global economic crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic," the foreign minister said. "Its effects of the epidemic will be greatest for developing countries."

He further said that at a time when our foreign exchange is declining sharply and the rate of exports has fallen sharply due to the crisis, Pakistan needs to look for new opportunities for our economic recovery.

"Timely completion of CPEC projects is one of our top priorities," the FM stressed.

He also said that peace and stability in Afghanistan is of utmost importance for the entire region

"Pakistan has sincerely and will continue to play its conciliatory role in the Afghan peace process under a shared responsibility."

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for National Security Moeed Yousaf, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, foreign affairs experts and other senior foreign ministry officials also attended the meeting.