Daily Times

Legislators in the Upper House of parliament on Friday urged the government to take appropriate measures for safe return of the stranded Pakistani students and other citizens in China and also demanded proper arrangements in advance to deal with the coronavirus threat.

During the proceedings of the House, some of the opposition senators flayed government’s decision to not repatriate Pakistani students from China in fear that the coronavirus may spread in Pakistan. They were of the view that several countries have evacuated their citizens from Wuhan province of China, and questioned that why Pakistan is not doing so.

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani said Pakistan should stand by China in this difficult time to fight the deadly coronavirus epidemic. He maintained that China is all-weather friend of Pakistan and has always supported it. “It is now our turn to help our friend,” he remarked.

Addressing the session, Senator Sherry Rehman said coronavirus is a challenge for humanity and that China has taken immediate measures against the outbreak. Pakistan should support China and immediately import coronavirus testing kits, she said, adding that the foremost responsibility of a country is to protect its own citizens. She claimed that helpline of Pakistan’s Embassy in Beijing is not working.

PTI Senator Mohsin Aziz said Pakistani students should not be left in a state of helplessness in China. Those who are affected should be kept in isolation wards whereas those who are healthy should be allowed to return to Pakistan, he said.

Senator Seemi Ezdi said the government’s decision not to evacuate its citizens apparently looks harsh but hoped that the students will receive better treatment in China. “We cannot provide medical care to the coronavirus affectees whereas China will manage it better,” she said.

Leader of the House in Senate Shibli Faraz termed the epidemic as humanitarian issue and added that China has taken appropriate measure against the virus. He said Pakistan expresses solidarity with the people and government of China in this hour of trial. He said the government is trying its level best to ensure the safety of Pakistani nationals in China. He said Pakistan’s embassy is constantly in touch with the Pakistani community and the situation is being closely monitored. He said the government is taking several precautionary measures with regard to coronavirus.

Earlier, Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood informed the House that the incumbent government is committed to enforce the uniform education curriculum across the country so that all the children have a fair and equal opportunity to receive high quality education. Speaking during the question hour, he said the National Curriculum Council has initiated the process of developing single national curriculum with input from all the federating units. He said the uniform education curriculum will be one of the best curricula of the world, which will be implemented in all the schools of the country. He said the government is fully determined to enrol out-of-school children to ensure their due contribution in the country’s progress and prosperity.

He said oversees Pakistanis are the country’s asset and “we will welcome and encourage them if they are willing to impart education to the students in Pakistan.” He said the government, under the Ehsaas program, has allocated five billion rupees for awarding scholarships to the deserving students for the first time in the country’s history.

The House will now meet again on Monday at 3pm.