Reports of Pakistan exporting virus ‘false’

Special Assistant to the PM on National Security Division Dr Moeed Yusuf on Thursday denied UK media reports about Pakistani passengers exporting coronavirus to other countries.

“Pakistan has been one of the most responsible countries in the world,” the SAPM said while addressing a news conference at the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Covid-19.

The PM’s aide said the British high commissioner had confirmed that the reports did not reflect his government’s stance.

“Pakistan is the only country holding tests, quarantine and screening of outbound passengers,” Yusuf pointed out.

“Only 30 Pakistani who returned to the UK tested positive for the disease and the media there claimed that there was a huge number of patients.”

The SAPM advised people with symptoms to avoid travelling abroad noting that some countries did not allow entry to such passengers and they would be deported back.

Yusuf further said 90% of the Pakistanis stuck in Gulf countries because of the coronavirus outbreak had been brought back.

“The remaining stranded Pakistani will be brought back by next week.”

The SAPM said outbound screening had been made mandatory and already adopted since the last three months.

“Countries have also imposed the condition of undergoing a Covid-19 test travelling there.”

Yusuf said that the policies of the country passengers were intending to travel to as well as those of the airline they were planning to use should be strictly followed.

He pointed out that there were some incidents where outbound passengers had presented invalid medical certificates that were highlighted abroad – creating an embarrassing situation for the country.

The SAPM said the country’s international flight operations were only for stranded Pakistanis and only people in emergency would be given priority.

He urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel as the government could not guarantee that the airspace would remain open three weeks from now.

“Our priority is to facilitate labourers [who lost their jobs in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic] and everybody should show responsibility.”

Yusuf said people should follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“Coronavirus test is mandatory for travelling abroad and without it passengers should avoid coming to airports.”

The SAPM further said PIA planes would continue to fly to Gulf countries.

“We have brought back Pakistanis from 70 countries so far.”

Earlier, the SAPM on National Dr Zafar Mirza told a private TV channel that the number of coronavirus cases in the country was decreasing.

He added that smart lockdowns were the only solution to control the spread of Covid-19.

“The government is taking action against medical stores and private laboratories which are overcharging people.”

(With input from APP)