National strategy against coronavirus chalked out after taking inputs from all federating units, Senate informed

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has expressed the optimism to collectively surmount the challenge posed by Corona Virus.

He made the remarks in the Senate today which is holding discussion on the situation arising out of Covid-19.

The Foreign Minister said the national strategy against the contagion has been chalked out after taking inputs from all the federating units.

He said it is a national emergency and all the stakeholders will have to work collectively to defeat the virus which has engulfed the whole world.

He said the National Coordination Committee and National Command and Operation Center have been established to accommodate the inputs of the provinces.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the Prime Minister daily holds meetings and give directions to cope with the current situation.

He asked the opposition parties not to do politics on the pandemic.

Referring to the situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Foreign Minister said the situation is very serious there.He said the BJP government has intensified its persecution campaign in the occupied territory under the garb of coronavirus. The occupying Indian forces have started barging into houses and killing the innocent and unarmed Kashmiri people.

He said a hate mongering campaign has also been started against Muslims in India.

Participating in the discussion, PPP leader Sherry Rehman said national unity is need of the hour to deal with the unprecedented challenge posed by Corona Virus.

Leader of Opposition in Senate Raja Zafar ul Haq said the federal and provincial governments should be on the same page to contain the spread of Corona Virus.

He opposed relaxation in lockdown saying it has led to increase in Covid-19 cases.

The Leader of opposition also expressed concerns over the oppression unleashed by Modi government in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and massacre of Muslims in India.

He said lockdown is in place in occupied Jammu and Kashmir since August last year and the people there have no access to medical supplies and treatment.

PML (N) leader Musadiq Malik said an effective policy should be crafted to deal with the coronavirus.Mushtaq Ahmad of Jamaat-e-Islami said gas and power bills of the deserving families, being provided with cash assistance under Ehsaas program, should be waived off.

The house will now meet on Thursday at twelve noon.