PM Imran discusses COVID-19 epidemic issue with Canadian Premier over phone

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Canadian counterpart Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic and other matters of mutual interest over telephone on Sunday night.
Offering deep condolences over the loss of precious lives, Prime Minister Imran underscored that the pandemic was an unprecedented calamity, necessitating closer international cooperation, said a statement issued by his office.
Pakistan along with other developing countries was confronted with the twin challenge of saving lives and containing the infection, while simultaneously shoring up the economy, the premier was quoted as saying during the conversation.
Prime Minister Imran thanked Canada for its support for Pakistan’s inclusion in the G20’s debt relief initiative. Underlining the need to create greater fiscal space for developing countries to save lives, and undertake coordinated action to ward off socioeconomic challenges, the premier hoped that Canada would lend support to the ‘Global Initiative for Debt Relief.’
The two leaders also discussed the status of repatriation of each other’s nationals from their respective countries. Both appreciated the facilitation provided by the two sides in this context.
Prime Minister Imran expressed deep concern over demonization of the Muslim minority in India in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also apprised his Canadian counterpart of the situation in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJ&K), where the communication restrictions and lack of unfettered access to medical and other essential supplies were compounding the COVID-19 challenge for the Kashmiris.
TLTP adds: The two leaders agreed to remain closely engaged on all matters of common interest.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced that the government is going to take big steps to accelerate economic activity in the country.
Talking to his adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan who called on him here on Sunday, the Prime Minister said that the federal government is utilising all resources to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.
The Prime Minister said the biggest challenge is to provide relief to a common man hit the hardest by lockdown restrictions enforced to stem the spread of the deadly virus. He said that he is happy that his economic team hammered out an emergency action plan in a timely manner. He said that the government is going to take some big steps to accelerate economic activity in the country.
In his remarks, Babar Awan said the government rolled out poor-friendly relief packages for the first time in the country’s history. The government exhibited statesmanship in testing times, he maintained.
Taking aim at opposition leaders, he said they have been playing politics of accusations and have no manifestos for the well-being of the people. He said that safety measures will be ensured before a session of the National Assembly is convened.