Pakistan ready for SAARC video call after PM Modi pitches for joint COVID-19 strategy
Islamabad : Pakistan has agreed to participate in the video conference of SAARC nations as it acknowledged the need of "coordinated efforts to combat coronavirus", one day after PM Modi pitched for working together to find a solution against coronavirus.
PM Modi had reached out to SAARC nations to chalk out a strategy to combat coronavirus outbreak and called for a discussion through video conferencing by the grouping’s leadership.
On Friday, spokesperson of Pakistan's foreign ministry replied to the tweet and said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s special assistant for health had been deputed to participate in the proposed video conference.
"The threat of COVID-19 requires coordinated efforts at global and regional level. We have communicated that SAPM (special assistant to Prime Minister) on Health will be available to participate in video conference of SAARC member countries on the issue," the tweet read.
The threat of #COVID-19 requires coordinated efforts at global and regional level. We have communicated that SAPM on Health will be available to participate in the video conference of #SAARC member countries on the issue.
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) March 13, 2020
On Thursday, PM Modi had tweeted: "I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus. We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy. Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet."
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka—the other Saarc members—had responded quickly to Prime Minister Modi’s call.
Officially India has recorded 2 death and 84 positive cases of coronavirus or COVID-19.
