Pakistan hosts video conference of Saarc today

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday announced that it will be hosting a video conference of Saarc member states to discuss the coronavirus pandemic today (Thursday). Pakistan has already reported over 10,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 212 deaths. South Asia, which is home to one-fifth of humanity, is especially vulnerable to the pandemic.

The FO statement says the governments are parts of its efforts to foster greater cooperation at the regional level to effectively overcome the public health crisis, and mitigate its socio-economic impact. “Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza will lead the Pakistan delegation. Besides ministers/senior officials, the meeting will be attended by Secretary General Saarc, Esala Ruwan Weerakon”, announced the Foreign Office.

The virtual meeting takes forward Pakistan’s earlier initiative to host the Saarc health ministers meeting, which has assumed urgency.