Daily Times

The outbreak of pandemic COVID-19 disturbed the whole world’s economic, social, religious, political, and financial structure. Covid-19 has become the reason for closing multiple businesses and destroyed the world economy badly where underdeveloped countries like Pakistan are already dealing and struggling to overcome poverty and hunger. To discuss some issues like Pakistan’s response on COVID-19, Islamabad’s perspective towards the Afghan peace process, and the U.S. Pakistan relationship, a webinar was by Jane Harmon and Michael Kugelman from Wilson Center. The guest speaker at the session was Pakistani Ambassador to US Asad Majeed Khan.

In the opening remarks, Ambassador Khan gave details about Pakistan’s response to

the disastrous effects of COVID-19. “Pakistan is certainly no exception and we are living through very difficult times as COVID-19 has overwhelmed.”, said the ambassador. While giving details about coronavirus cases in Pakistan, he mentioned positive cases 38290 and reported deaths around 985 to date.

No doubt the Pakistani government has taken timely decisions which, according to the ambassador have some key features including containment and isolation strategy, freezing borders, seizing international and domestic flights except some authorized ones, closing offices and schools, suspending transport system, etc. “This has been I would say achieved as a result of a national action plan that was developed by the national coordination committee which sits at the top of this national effort that brings together the provinces…” “Pakistan has done relatively well in terms of dealing with the crises”, “this is why “WHO has described Pakistan tackling of COVID-19 as one of the better ones among the low middle-income country” said the ambassador.

Pakistan is one of the 10 priority countries identified by the United States and the United States has been providing timely and invaluable assistance to support Pakistan’s COVID related efforts

Mr. Khan also described that having even the “fragile health system” in Pakistan there has been proper screening and testing in Pakistan which he had gone through when he came back to Pakistan from the United States in February 2020. Giving insights into health relating responses of Pakistan, the ambassador also talked about the financial condition of the country that can give worries to any government of a poor country, even then “the government came up with the unprecedented financial support package.” Pakistani Government has distributed 1.2 trillion rupees through Ehsas Program, Ration packages, reduction in utility bills, all for those in need. 8.2 million Pakistanis were supported with actual cash distribution through Ehsas Emergency Cash Program to date. Not only for Pakistan, but PM Imran Khan also presented the idea of Global Debt Relief for the underdeveloped countries like Pakistan.

Another subject of the session was to highlight the US Pakistan’s current relationship. “Pakistan is one of the 10 priority countries identified by the United States and the United States has been providing timely and invaluable assistance to support Pakistan’s COVID related efforts,” said the ambassador. One million dollars were allocated in this regard but now the aid has been increased to fifteen million dollars including the medical stuff like ventilators etc. It is important to mention here that U.S. aid for Pakistan had been stopped in the past.

Donations and contributions made by other organizations like APPNA were acknowledged by the ambassador Khan. He said “I value and salute their contributions” which they made not only here but for their homeland as well. APPNA is the third-largest medical organization in the United States. APPNA has sent $95000 in the time of crises to Pakistan for food rations, which are being distributed in all 4 provinces, not just in major cities but also in remote areas and minority communities. Another notable change discussed by the ambassador regarding U.S Pakistan relations was the PIA flights to the US after a gap of about 21 years. PIA flights were banned by the U.S, government after 9/11.

The third discussed subject in the session was how Islamabad as the center, views

the Afghanistan peace process. A question was raised by Jane Harmon in which she highlighted the presence of Haqqani Network in Waziristan, ambassador Khan clarified that “the Afghan Pakistan borders and the tribal areas have been cleansed…and have been integrated to mainstream Pakistan.”, said the Ambassador. Ambassador assured Pakistan’s support by saying that “Pakistan has seriously and sincerely facilitated the peace process” and “we remain committed to facilitating the peace process in Afghanistan.” Giving the reference of the recent attack on a hospital in Kabul and APS Peshawar attacked by terrorists in 2014 ambassador Khan said “we have suffered a lot because of strive and instability in Afghanistan.” Ambassador Khan highlighted the need for Intra-Afghan Dialogue as essential for the Afghan peace process which has not been done yet.

The writer is a technology expert who is working with US government based in Washington DC