Foreign ambassadors hail Pakistan’s success in fight against coronavirus

Session was themed 'Surviving corona, coming out stronger’

LONDON:

Around 12 foreign ambassadors and envoys termed Pakistan’s fight and gains against coronavirus pandemic ‘model’ and ‘exemplary’ while appreciating country’s tenacity in a virtual ‘Hopeathon’ on its independence day.

The session was themed as ‘Surviving corona, coming out stronger’ where the forum shared hopes for a quick turnaround in Pakistan’s economy.

The American ambassador expressed support for Pakistan provided by the Trump administration. He said that the US Government believed that what is good for Pakistan is good for the US as well.

He appreciated Pakistan’s support in the Afghan peace process and stated that expanding trade and investment opportunities were the US priorities since Prime Minister Imran Khan’ visit.

He pointed out that Centre of Disease Control (CDC) had been contributing to Pakistan’s health system since the 1980s and more than 550 epidemiologists were trained in the last five years, working with the National Institute of Health to build the capacity of county’s health workers while 2,400 staff were trained on infection response.

He shared that $30million were designated in new funding for mobile labs and expanded healthcare workers training and hundreds of ventilators. US ambassador also paid rich tributes to American Pakistani doctors serving in the US.

The acting British high commissioner paid homage to the British Pakistani doctors and health professionals working in UK's National Health Service.

She shared that £200 million worth of aid was already funnelled to the development of Pakistan and additional funds were provided for pandemic including £4.239 million emergency funds, £2.67million to World Health Organisation to detect and trace the patients and training to health services.

“Pakistan has done remarkably well in managing the impact of the disease and the authorities have done a tremendous job,” she said.

Chinese ambassador congratulated the Pakistani nation on the independence anniversary.

He shared that China is sincerely invested in Pakistan. He praised Pakistan’s stance and position in the comity of nations, regional peace and global security.

The Chinese ambassador shared that China respects Pakistan’s role in global affairs and regional peace and stability.

He referred that Pakistan and China have long term interests and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was another anchor of this relationship due to infrastructural development, industrial and social-cultural collaborations.

He shared that several new mechanisms had been established in agriculture, science, and technology and both the countries were channelling more resources in these fields.

The ambassador also congratulated Pakistan on its success in the fight against the coronavirus. “Pakistan and China were working closely since the onset of the pandemic,” the ambassador said adding that and he was very happy seeing the recent progress and the declining curve.

He declared that the CPEC would bring huge economic activity in Pakistan in the post-pandemic time through the mainland railways, hydropower stations, and other private businesses collaborations.

The ‘Hopeathon Ambassadors Congress’ was exclusively organised virtually to celebrate the 74th Independence Day of Pakistan.

The session was arranged in collaboration with Akhuwat, by World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis, Institute of Peace and Development, HumanX, Possibilities and DigitallyIn.

Hopeathon founder Arif Anis, Qaiser Abbas, Akhuwat’s founder Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib, The Institute of Peace and Development’s president Farhat Asif also spoke at the occasion.

Forum speakers included Ambassador Paul W. Jones Chargé d’Affaires of the United States of America, Andreas Ferrarese, Ambassador of Italy, Wendy Gilmour, High Commissioner of Canada, Dr Philipp Deichmann, Deputy Head of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Paulo Neves Pocinho, Ambassador of Portugal, Kuninori Matsuda, Ambassador of Japan, Yao Jing, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Androulla Kaminara, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union, Alison Blackburne, Acting British High Commissioner of UK, Vice Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama, RSP, VSV, NDC, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Iwan Suyudhie Amri, High Commissioner of Indonesia to Pakistan and Mohammed Motahar Ali-Shabi, Ambassador of Yemen.