Qureshi lauds NDMA efforts to curb virus

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has lauded National Disaster Management Authority’s efforts to prevent spread of coronavirus pandemic in the country.
Talking to Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal here on Wednesday, Qureshi said the authority has taken timely steps to stop spread of disease and the whole nation values these services.
He said that the Foreign Ministry is also providing all possible coordination and facilitation in fighting battle against COVID-19. He said his ministry has played a vital role in dispatching medical equipment from China to Pakistan.
The chairman NDMA briefed the foreign minister about medical equipment received from China and other countries.
Separately, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that repatriation of Pakistanis stranded in different countries is government’s foremost priority and his ministry is taking effective measures in this regard.
Speaking at the Functional Committee for the Affectees of Coronavirus here on Wednesday, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that over 5,000 Pakistanis including 768 prisoners from United Arab Emirates and Oman, and 176 Tableeghi people from different countries have so far returned to their homes through 28 special flights.
The minister said that 2,054 members of Tableeghi Jamaat are waiting for their return from Sudan, Tanzania, Chad and other African countries. He said, “We have also allowed Qatar Airlines for operations.”
The foreign minister said his ministry has issued instructions to Pakistani embassies around the world to provide all possible facilities to those trapped Pakistanis who are facing difficulties. – TLTP