- Home
- Pakistan
- News
- Qureshi phones Bhutanese FM; discusses holding SAARC health minister's moot on coronavirus
Qureshi Phones Bhutanese FM; Discusses Holding SAARC Health Minister's Moot On Coronavirus
Umer Jamshaid Published March 26, 2020 | 05:30 PM
Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi Thursday held a telephonic conversation with his Bhutanese counterpart Dr. Tandi Dorji and discussed the challenges and the ways to counter them in the wake of rapid spread of COVID-19 pandemic
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Mar, 2020 ):Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi Thursday held a telephonic conversation with his Bhutanese counterpart Dr. Tandi Dorji and discussed the challenges and the ways to counter them in the wake of rapid spread of COVID-19 pandemic. He said that Pakistan considered SAARC an important platform for regional cooperation.
Reaffirming Pakistan's abiding commitment to the SAARC process, he reiterated Pakistan's offer to host the SAARC Health Ministers' Conference to enhance cooperation among member countries and development partners in health sector, with special focus on COVID-19. He proposed that a video conference might be organized in view of the prevailing global health emergency.
Foreign Minister Dorji welcomed the proposal and expressed Bhutan's readiness to participate.� Discussing the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund, it was underlined that the Fund should be placed under the Secretary General SAARC and the modalities for its use, be finalized through consultations.
� Dilating upon the economic impact of COVID-19 on the developing countries, Foreign Minister Qureshi underscored the need for debt restructuring of the developing countries to enable them to divert resources towards saving lives.
He shared that the President World Bank and Managing Director IMF had also raised this issue and in this regard the UN Secretary General had also emphasized the need for out of box solutions.
Appreciating Pakistan's efforts, Foreign Minister Dorji underscored that given the unprecedented economic challenges faced by the developing countries due to the pandemic, a serious consideration of the proposed restructuring was critical.
The two foreign ministers reaffirmed the need for joint efforts to deal with the current situation and agreed to stay closely engaged in the matter.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Pakistan marks World Press Freedom Day
High-level Saudi business delegation due on May 5
Stocks heat up as US labour market cools
President approves Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024
Implementation of merit, justice to oppressed segments top priorities: CPO
Overseas Kashmir community delegation calls on AJK President, discusses latest s ..
Govt believes in freedom of press: Amir Muqam
Labour urges UK election after Tory losses
Health authorities asked for action against alleged illegal tenders at Services ..
Spain scraps national bullfighting prize sparking debate
Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan visits Rawalpindi ..
ATC extends interim bail of PTI founder in 3 cases
More Stories From Pakistan
-
RIUJ, NPC jointly organizes seminar on freedom of expression
6 hours ago -
LG&CD deptt appoints Dr Abdullah as Focal Person Media
6 hours ago -
PPP nominates Kundi, Saleem as governors KPK, Punjab respectively
7 hours ago -
Court awards 15-year imprisonment to accused in a rape case
7 hours ago -
PM visits residence of Saira Afzal Tarar, offers condolences over her father's death
7 hours ago -
Police bust gambling gang in Pindigheb area
7 hours ago
-
AJK PM approves Social Protection Ordinance
7 hours ago -
AJK President lauds overseas community for highlighting Kashmir issue
8 hours ago -
BUJ protests murder of KPC President Siddique Mengal
8 hours ago -
AJK PM chairs cabinet meeting
8 hours ago -
Randhawa for completing ongoing projects
8 hours ago -
Bilawal expresses sorrow over bus accident in Diamer
8 hours ago