ISLAMABAD: As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 keep building up, heading towards nearly 500 by Thursday night, China will help build the capacity to address the challenges posed by coronavirus in Pakistan. In this regard, ‘letters of exchange’ were signed between the two countries during the recently concluded visit of President Arif Alvi to Beijing.

“Pakistan and China have always stood by each other particularly in challenging times,” spokesperson at the Foreign Office told the weekly media conference. This was the first time that ‘social distancing’ was practiced at the Foreign Office where the press corps sent in written questions. While the spokesperson did not give details of how China would enhance Pakistan’s capacity to overcome the COVID-19, earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on his return from Beijing had said that China will provide medical expertise, testing kits, ventilators and other medical equipment to deal with the outbreak.

To a query about the fate of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the spokesperson said that Pakistan is confident that all CPEC projects would be completed in time. “CPEC comprises long-term projects whose completion, in many a cases, is spread over years. We are quite confident that we will be able to complete CPEC projects in time and, going forward, the short-term impact by the spread of COVID-19 will be counterbalanced by effective and swift mobilisation of resources for timely completion of CPEC,” she said. As more and more countries suspend flights and restrict nationals from many countries, Pakistan said that for the time being its visa services have not been suspended by any Pakistani missions abroad. “All missions are providing essential consular services to overseas Pakistanis. Our community members have been advised to obtain consular services through online mechanisms and to try and avoid all non-essential travel and visit the embassies or consulates only in emergency situations after obtaining appointment,” advised the spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Pakistanis including students have been advised to comply with advisories by local authorities and take necessary precautions. To a query as to why Pakistani students in Wuhan were not returning while those from Iran continue to come in, the spokesperson responded, “The Pakistani Zaireen were allowed to return after putting in place requisite infrastructure on our side of the border.” “During the visit, the president, foreign minister and minister for planning spoke to Pakistani students in Wuhan and other parts of China through video-link. The president and the foreign minister inquired about their well-being and health individually and informed them that the Chinese leadership at the highest level had reassured them of the continued welfare of Pakistani students,” the spokesperson had said earlier in her opening statement.

To a question on Italy which is devastated by the virus, the spokesperson said that there are about 150,000 Pakistani nationals, concentrated mostly in the North of Italy (Lombardy region with its capital as Milan). “Our Embassy in Rome and Consulate General in Milan are in constant contact with the Pakistani community. The embassy as well as consulate general had set up 24/7 help lines to provide services and information to the community at the start of the outbreak,” she added. Presently, the embassy and consulate general are also coordinating with educational institutes where Pakistani students (1500-2,000) are studying. “So far we know about the unfortunate death of , Imtiaz Ahmed,Pakistan-origin person who lived near Milan,” she said.

Meanwhile, as Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) saw its 228th day of the lockdown, the spokesperson said they continue to be deprived of their fundamental freedoms; their right to liberty, health, education and food. “Pakistan condemns the inhuman and brutal repression of the people of IOK by India security forces. We call upon the Indian government to lift the communication blackout. Especially in view of the outbreak of COVID-19 and reported cases of affected people in IOK,” said the spokesperson. Pakistan urges India to lift the blockade in the region in order to obtain full information on affected people and provision of essential items and medical supplies to the affected people.