Pakistan accepts Modi’s request for SAARC conference on coronavirus

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Pakistan on Sunday accepted the request of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for South Asian Association Regional Cooperation (SAARC) conference to tackle the novel coronavirus. Pakistan stance got victory as the Indian prime minister acknowledged the importance of SAARC. The Indian government invited Pakistan to participate in a meeting of SAARC nation video conferencing to discuss means to tackle coronavirus. Meanwhile, Pakistan agreed to participate in a meeting of the SAARC in India on the level of state minister.  Pakistan responded to the appeal by the Indian government and said they will be available for talks. Special Assistant on Health Dr Zafar Mirza will participate in a video conference of SAARC member countries to formulate a joint strategy to combat the fast-spreading coronavirus pandemic. It is pertinent here to mention that Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a tweet said, “The threat of COVID-19 requires coordinated efforts at global and regional level. We have communicated that SAPM on Health will be available to participate in the video conference of SAARC member countries on the issue.” At least 13 pilgrims who arrived in Sukkur from Iran have tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Sunday, pushing the total number in Sindh to 34 and in Pakistan to 47. This is the highest number of cases reported in Pakistan in one day. Total tally in country has now gone up to 47, out of which 34 are from Sindh. Three patients returned from Saudi Arabia a few days ago and tested positive for the virus in Karachi on Sunday. The fourth patient has no recent travel history. Of the 21 cases in Sindh, two have recovered and been discharged and 19 are under treatment. A case was also reported in Islamabad. PIMS spokesperson Dr Waseem Khawaja confirmed the case and said the man was “So far 13 people have tested positive of #COVIDー19 from amongst the people who arrived in Sukkur from Taaftaan. These people were purportedly kept in quarantine at the border,” Sindh government spokesperson Mutaza Wahab confirmed in a tweet from his official handle. Five new cases of the novel coronavirus were also confirmed earlier in the day. The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) confirmed one case in Islamabad while the Sindh Health Department reported four new patients in Karachi on Sunday. The latest patient in Islamabad is the husband of the woman who recently travelled to Pakistan from the United States and tested positive on Saturday. The lady is currently in critical condition, receiving treatment at the isolation ward in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). There are now four COVID-19 patients at the isolation ward in PIMS.