Pakistanis in Wuhan: Technical body to present suggestions: FO

The Foreign Office said Thursday that all measures are being taken for the assistance, safety and welfare of Pakistani nationals stuck in China after the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan and a high-powered technical committee will be presenting its recommendations for the 'best possible solution for the well being and safety of our people.'

Speaking at her weekly media briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said that all measures are being taken for the assistance, safety and welfare of Pakistani nationals stuck in China after the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan.

Responding to a query whether the stranded 500 Pakistani students and other nationals will be evacuated from China, she said that all stakeholders are members of a high-powered technical committee, which is reviewing the situation and will be presenting its recommendations for the best possible solutions for the well being and safety of Pakistanis.

According to her, no country has evacuated its citizen from China as per current available information. However, some countries have talked to the Chinese authorities in this regard, she added.

About the Khunjrab Pass border, she said the government of Gilgit-Baltistan has rescheduled its opening and now it will be opened in April.

She said the government of Pakistan is constantly monitoring the evolving situation, adding that all possible measures for the safety and welfare of Pakistani nationals are being taken and will be taken by the government.

She said that Pakistan's embassy and consulates have reached out extensively to all students and have been in touch with Chinese officials. "We have been ensured that the safety and welfare of our nationals will be assured. We wish to reassure everyone on this matter," she added.

"We have also urged all those Pakistani nationals and students who were not registered with the embassy to contact the embassy hotline numbers so that their concerns are addressed and they are properly looked after," she said, adding that Pakistan has also raised the issue of shortage of food with the Chinese authorities and with university administration so that these issues are addressed accordingly.

Responding to another query about some stranded Pakistanis in Urumqi, she said that information is received that their flight has been delayed. "We have contacted Chinese authorities and requested for the accommodation and facilitation of Pakistani citizens until the next flight," she added.

She asserted that the Chinese government at the highest level has taken extraordinary measures to contain the virus and take safety and preventive measures for the welfare of all people in China.

The spokesperson assured Pakistan's support to China at this testing time, saying: "We stand ready to extend every possible assistance to our Chinese brethren to help deal with the aftermath of coronavirus."

"We are also extremely thankful to the Chinese government for extending best possible assistance to Pakistani nationals in China. We have no doubt that the brotherly Chinese people will overcome this challenge with their characteristic strength and resilience," she added.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in his statement, on Thursday also reiterated that the government, people and leadership of Pakistan stand by the Chinese people and leadership in their valiant efforts to bring the coronavirus under control and support the measures taken by China in that regard.

To another question about the announcement of the 'Middle East Peace Plan' by US President Donald Trump, Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said that Pakistan has consistently supported a two-state solution, as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions.

"Pakistan continues to support a just and lasting solution of the Palestinian issue, through dialogue and negotiations, that leads to the realization of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, including the right of self-determination," she asserted, adding, "We renew our call for the establishment of a viable, independent and contiguous State of Palestine, on the basis of internationally-agreed parameters, the pre-1967 borders, and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital".

About the provocative statement by Indian Prime Minister Modi, she warned that no one should underestimate the resolve of the people and the Armed Forces of Pakistan to effectively thwart any aggressive action.

"Unfortunately, it has become a pattern for the Indian leadership to create war hysteria and jingoistic environment against Pakistan and its people," she said, adding that Pakistan has firmly rejected the recent irresponsible statement made by the Indian prime minister.

"These remarks are another reflection of India's incurable obsession with Pakistan and the BJP government and its leadership's desperate attempts to divert attention from the growing domestic and international criticism of their discriminatory, anti-Kashmir and anti-minority policies," she added.

About the protest outside Pakistan's embassy in Kabul demanding release of Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) chief Manzoor Pashteen, she said: "We have received information that the protest is being staged outside the embassy in Kabul".

However, she said that the embassy including its consular section is continuing its work, as per its mandate to further Pakistan-Afghanistan ties. "We have taken note of the protest," she added.