ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood on Wednesday said Pakistan had been resolutely and successfully confronting COVID-19 and taking all possible measures to strengthen the existing health system.

He said this while delivering remarks at a video-conference on COVID-19 Response. The Vice-Ministerial level Conference was chaired by Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui. Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participated in the conference.

The foreign secretary said that despite COVID-19, Pakistan’s economy had shown signs of recovery and resilience with several key economic indicators being very promising.

He also hoped that post COVID-19, Belt and Road Initiative and CPEC would become the hub of trade and economic activity for the region.

Foreign Secretary underlined that international cooperation and solidarity is pivotal for success in the fight against COVID-19. 

Highlighting the plight of the people in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, accentuated due to the COVID-19, the Foreign Secretary stressed that the global community must urge India to lift the double lockdown and allow access to international health experts to extend medical help to the besieged Kashmiris.