ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has called upon the entire nation to unite in playing a positive role in preventing the spread of Coronavirus.

He said this while chairing the National Security Committee meeting, especially called to review the current status of corona virus pandemic and Pakistan’s response to it.

The prime minister said there was no need to panic as we were addressing the challenge as one nation by protecting ourselves through precautionary measures.

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He directed all concerned officials to coordinate a comprehensive and unified national response to safeguard the health of people of Pakistan.

PM Imran Khan urged people to follow basic hygiene and precautionary measures and place their trust in the government as their health, safety and well-being was its foremost priority.

Special Assistant on Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza apprised the forum of the latest situation, preventive measures and detailed roadmap for dealing with the pandemic.

In a statement, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said the government was fully cognizant of the situation arising out of the spread of corona virus pandemic.

He said the government had developed a mechanism under which the Centre and Provinces were coordinating and exchanging latest information and updates on the virus.

The foreign minister said National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in coordination with its provincial offices, would lead the protective campaign to ensure a united and national level response.

He said Pakistani Missions and Embassies abroad had been directed to cancel or postpone functions or ceremonies and avoid attending any gathering.

He said the government had decided to import ventilators in enough quantity to ensure their availability wherever required.