Daily Times

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Friday stressed the need for a multi-stakeholder global perspective approach to address the Covid-19 pandemic keeping in view its socioeconomic impact across the world.

He was addressing foreign intellectuals through video link under his ‘FM Connect Digital with Global Thought Leaders’ initiative. The guests included Dr William Ury (Harvard University), Professor Kishore Mahbubani (National University of Singapore), Dr Kevin P Gallagher (Boston University) and Dr Adil Najam (Boston University).

Foreign Minister Qureshi discussed with international experts the post-Covid-19 realities on the global geo-political and socioeconomic landscape. He said Pakistan’s healthcare system needs improvement to cater to the needs of emergency situations. He said the government has allocated $8 billion to deal the economic impact of coronavirus situation. Under the Ehsaas socio-welfare programme, Rs 144 billion are being distributed among 12 million needy people, he added.

Qureshi said an amount of Rs 75 billion has been allocated for labourers and workers who have lost their jobs due to the lockdown. He said Pakistan has suffered a dip in exports by 41 percent and fears fiscal deficit to increase by 10 percent due to the current situation. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan in the same perspective has proposed the international community for ‘Global Debt Relief’, adding that announcement by G-20 Forum to provide financial assistance to weaker economies is welcoming.

The foreign minister said Pakistan is ready to host next SAARC conference, however, India has changed the situation with its unilateral action of revoking the status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5. He said despite India’s irresponsible attitude, Pakistan recently hosted the SAARC meeting of health ministers through video link amid coronavirus pandemic.