Qureshi, Japanese counterpart discuss socio-economic ramifications of Covid-19

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi on Friday exchanged views about the socio-economic ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, Aisha Farooqui, Foreign Minister Qureshi telephoned Foreign Minister of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi and discussed the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath.

Underscoring that the pandemic was the gravest challenge to confront humanity this century, Qureshi offered condolences over the loss of precious lives, and commended the effective measures being taken by Japan to contain the outbreak.

Qureshi thanked Japan for its assistance to Pakistan to combat the pandemic, as well as in dealing with the desert locust attack.

While conveying his confidence that Pakistanis in Japan will be looked after, he assured Foreign Minister Motegi of all possible facilitation of Japanese nationals in Pakistan.

The two foreign ministers exchanged views about the socio-economic ramifications of the pandemic.

Highlighting that the developing countries had to fight on two fronts, i.e., containing the virus, and staving off starvation, Qureshi briefed Foreign Minister Motegi about Prime Minister Imran Khan's "Global Initiative on Debt Relief" for developing countries.

He underscored that without immediate, coordinated and comprehensive actions to create fiscal space, the developing world might have to contend with dire social, political and economic consequences.

Touching upon the situation in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K), the spokesperson said that Qureshi highlighted that human rights violations were continuing unabated and concerns had intensified about spread of the infection due to restrictions on information dissemination and unfettered access to medical and other essential supplies.

There were also concerns about demonization of Indian Muslims in the context of the Covid-19 and growing Islamophobia, she added. Both foreign ministers expressed commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations.

It was agreed to commemorate the 70th anniversary of establishment of Pakistan-Japan diplomatic relations in 2022 in a befitting manner, she added.