Insta
‘Countries Like Pakistan Should Be Provided Debt Relief, So That They Can Focus On Covid-19’: Pak FM Qureshi
IANS
Mar 22, 2020, 04:51 PM | Updated 04:51 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Countries like Pakistan, which are burdened by external debt, should be provided relief in repayment of loans so that they could focus on dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, said Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Qureshi made this request while talking to his German counterpart Heiko Maas over the phone on Saturday, reports Dawn news.
He told his German counterpart that united efforts were needed for dealing with the pandemic that has emerged as a major challenge for the entire world.
Maas assured Qureshi that he would raise the issues of debt relief for economically struggling countries and the international sanctions against Iran at the upcoming G7 meeting and the European Union Foreign Ministers'' Conference next week.
Describing the situation in Iran as extremely serious, Qureshi said that Iran had been the worst-hit country in the region. Therefore, he said, sanctions on Iran should be lifted immediately so that it could use its own resources to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Qureshi asked the permanent members of the UN Security Council to remove US sanctions against it (Iran) for aiding its fight against the infectious disease.
Qureshi's remarks come as the number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan rose to 645 with three deaths.
(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.