‘Very impressive’: Indonesia lauds Pakistan’s Covid-19 strategy

Envoy Amri says govt policies served as shock absorber for economy and helped vulnerable segments

ISLAMABAD:

Indonesian Ambassador Iwan S Amri has lauded the Pakistan’s comprehensive strategy to deal with Covid-19 and its adverse impact on economy, describing it as “very impressive”.

He was speaking on Saturday at Hop-A-Thon Ambassadors Congress organised by the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPD) themed as “Surviving Corona, Coming Out Stronger Together”.

The Indonesian envoy said that it was heartening to witness steep decline in Covid-19 cases and fatalities and congratulated the government and people of Pakistan on this remarkable achievement.

Addressing the conference, Ambassador Amri said that Indonesia and Pakistan were facing similar challenges in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and suggested that both the countries could co-operate and work together in overcoming challenges particularly those in the economic areas.

On behalf of the people and government of Indonesia, the envoy extended the heartiest felicitations and best wishes to the Pakistan on the auspicious occasion of the 73rd Independence Day of the country.

Indonesia and Pakistan have been enjoying excellent diplomatic relations which were established even before the independence of the two countries, he added,

Amri also expressed his gratitude to the Pakistan authorities especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and PIA for extending their full support and cooperation in smooth repatriation of stranded Indonesian citizens in Pakistan during the lockdown restrictions.

He highlighted that both the countries had a proud history of helping out each other during the natural calamities.

Both the countries fully realise that keeping a balance between saving lives and economy at the same time was a daunting task for any underdeveloped country, he said.

“In this scenario, I must admire Pakistan for devising a dynamic, innovative, comprehensive and successful strategy that included small lockdown, consultation, coordination and monitoring through NCOC, establishment of Tiger Force and launching of economic stimulus package that not only saved many precious lives but served as shock absorber for the economy and helped the vulnerable segments of the society in pandemic critical phase,” he added.