The Foreign Office on Thursday advised overseas Pakistanis to follow advisories issued by the governments in their host countries, as many Middle Eastern countries asked foreign nationals to leave their host countries in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking at her weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said that coronavirus cases had been reported in over 100 countries and every country was taking measures in order to ensure safety of their own people and citizens of other countries residing in those countries.
She said that it was the primary responsibility of those countries to take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of the virus, adding that Pakistan was also taking all the requisite steps at the borders and airports to ensure the safety of its people and control the spread of the virus.
On the reports that Saudi Arabia has asked all foreign nationals to leave the country within 72 hours, Farooqui said that she had talked to Pakistan's Ambassador to Riyadh, who was in touch with Saudi authorities to obtain more details.
"All states are taking measures to ensure the safety and security of their people and this decision has also been taken in this context by the Government of Saudi Arabia," she added.
On the ultimatum given by various other Middle Eastern countries to foreign nationals, including Pakistanis to leave in the wake of coronavirus, she said many countries were taking strict measures to stop the flow in and out of their territories and advised the overseas Pakistanis in those countries to follow advisories issued by the governments in those countries. Regarding safety of Pakistan's diplomats and diplomatic missions abroad, she said that a plan was being constituted to see how best our diplomats could be helped in case of any incident.
"There is an in-house discussion that is taking place led by the foreign minister and the foreign secretary. We will take appropriate measures wherever required," she added.
Responding to a question, she said that the Pakistan consulate in Herat had been closed for 15 days for administrative reasons.
Similarly, the consular section of the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul has also been closed for a few days for administrative reasons, she added.
Commenting on the reports that a Pakistan embassy staffer in Kabul was also infected with the coronavirus, she termed it as a speculation and insisted that there was no confirmation that he had been infected with coronavirus.
"Kindly avoid speculation in such matters," she added.
Asked if Pakistan can extend any help to neighbouring countries to control the outbreak of the virus, she said that Pakistan is monitoring the situation very closely and will take measures required for the citizens within Pakistan and any assistance we can provide to our neighbouring countries.
To another query whether any travel restrictions will be undertaken to prevent the spread of the virus, she said that there were reports of cancellation of visas by some regional countries, which is their own decision and aimed at protection of their citizens.
She said that the Government of Pakistan was committed to protect its citizens and would take all measures necessary to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
On the situation at Taftan border along Iran, she said that a significant number of Pakistani pilgrims who went to Iran had returned through Taftan border.
She said that Ministry of Health and other stakeholders had set up facilities in coordination with provincial government of Balochistan for screening and quarantine of the pilgrims.
"All efforts are being made to make sure that best possible measures are taken for the safety of Pakistani citizens. This is an ongoing work, which is being taken on a daily basis because of large number of Zaireen," she added.
To another query, she said that the trucks that were stuck on Pak-Iran border had started movement across the border.
Commenting on the US State Department's country report on human rights practices in Pakistan, the spokesperson said that the data regarding Pakistan needed to be updated because the Government of Pakistan in recent years had taken a number of measures to ensure the fundamental rights of all our citizens.
"Therefore, I believe that there is a need to update report on Pakistan. The matter would definitely be taken up with the concerned US authorities," she said.
Responding to a question about the two oath-taking ceremonies in Kabul, she said that the Independent Election Commission announced the victory of President Ashraf Ghani in the elections.
Subsequently, Pakistan felicitated President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Imran Khan also conveyed felicitations and best wishes for the new president and for the Afghan people, she added.
On the Afghan peace process, she said that Pakistan had maintained that the US-Taliban peace agreement was a historic step towards the ultimate goal of achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan.
"The peace agreement reflects commitment by both the US and Taliban to work constructively. It is now imperative to seize the opportunity towards the next step of intra-Afghan negotiations," she said.
On the reports that Taliban have rejected the conditional release of their prisoners, she said that Pakistan hoped that the agreement concluded between the two sides would be taken forward by all the parties in Afghanistan to find a way to sit together and arrive at a solution to take the next crucial step forward.
"We believe an intra-Afghan dialogue is a crucial step in this journey towards durable peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. Pakistan has played its role as a facilitator and we hope that now the representatives of the Afghan people will lead Afghanistan from conflict and strife to peace and security in the days and months ahead," she added.
When asked to comment on the reported failed coup attempt in Saudi Arabia, she declined to comment, saying: "It is our policy not to comment on the domestic issues of any other country."
On the communal violence in India, she said that Prime Minister had given statement on the targeted violence in India where he expressed his grave concerns.
Moreover, she stated that Supreme Leader of Iran, President of Turkey and the UN Secretary General had also expressed their deep concern.
"Across the world, in many cities, protests were staged condemning the violence in Delhi in recent days," she added.
She urged the international community including the UN, the OIC and the human rights organizations to take practical steps to stop the Indian government from pursuing discriminatory and anti-minority policies.
She said that the world community should ensure protection of the minorities especially the Muslims and their places of worships and properties in India, adding that the large scale targeted violence against Muslims that took place in New Delhi in the backdrop of highly communal statements by the BJP leaders has been a matter of great concern for Pakistan and it is highly condemnable.
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