ISLAMABAD, APR 7 (DNA) – Climate change is a pandemic in the making as there is rise in temperature, scarcity of water, and unbreathable air, but most of the governments are not taking it seriously, said Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director, Sustainable Development Policy Institute.In his welcome remarks at an international online webinar titled: State of Climate Governance Post COVID-19, organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad here on Tuesday, he said Covid-19 is a black swan event (low probability very high impact). “We were warned that a novel virus may threaten mankind, but no one took it seriously and now the planet is suffering,” he maintained.

ISLAMABAD, APR 7 (DNA) – Prime Minister Imran Khan has conveyed best wishes and prayers for the earliest recovery and good health of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.In his letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister has also underscored the importance of Pakistan and UK working together to overcome the formidable challenges posed by COVID-19 and building a safer world.=DNA

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has now introduced many important integrated measures to put its macro-economy on the right path of sustainability and productive despite expected regional as well as global recession.

Dr Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan

The Republic of Uzbekistan has become “pioneer state” in the Central Asia Region (CAR) to introduce various meaningful socio-economic, administrative and legal measures to launch a comprehensive and effective fight against the Corona-virus (COVID-19). Indeed, national response of Uzbekistan against COVID-19 is “immense” and “decisive” which has now saved its people from any imminent collateral damage.

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF) and the National Humanitarian Network (NHN) have offered all-out cooperation and support to the government in the ongoing battle against coronavirus outbreak in the country.

“We fully appreciate the clear commitment and resolve shown by federal and provincial governments in ensuring quality and timely medical care being provided to those affected by coronavirus pandemic. We also reaffirm our resolve to extend all-out assistance to the government in its relief operations across country to protect communities and citizens in these hard times,” a joint statement issued by both the organizations read.

ISLAMABAD, APR 7 (DNA) – The Government of Japan has decided to provide grant of USD 250,000 through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to the Government of Pakistan to equip Pakistani people to fight against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection.With this support of IFRC, the Government of Pakistan will be strengthened on surveillance, contact tracing, screening and will also be equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), medical consumables and medical equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19. IFRC will contribute to reducing morbidity, mortality and social impacts of COVID-19 outbreak by preventing or slowing transmission and helping to ensure communities affected by the outbreak to maintain access to basic social services.

ISLAMABAD, APR 6 (DNA) -Due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, the Government of Indonesia has decided to cancel the KNB Scholarship 2020.According to a communiqué, those who have submitted the application to Embassy would be considered as applicants for KNB Scholarship 2021.The embassy has thanked the applicants for expressing interest in this scholarship programme.=DNA

A.M.BHATTI

ISLAMABAD, APR 6 (DNA) –  The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Pakistan with help of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan and PIA, successfully repatriated 22 Uzbek citizens from Pakistan to Tashkent through a special flight of Pakistan International Airlines.This flight also brought back 128 stranded Pakistani nationals from Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan.Taking this opportunity, Embassy of Uzbekistan and Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Furqat Sikikov emphasized that significant and friendly gesture made by Pakistani partners once again demonstrated bright example of brotherly and close relationships between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

A.M.BHATTI

ISLAMABAD, APR 6 (DNA) – Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan Asad Qaisar has expressed solidarity with Dr. Ali Ardeshir Larijani Speaker of Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran and people of Iran, in a letter written on April 6, 2020.Asad Qaisar said ongoing issue of Coronavirus poses a threat to the well being of the entire humanity, which is all the more reason the world should come together to combat the epidemic disease for safety of our people.

ISLAMABAD, APR 6 (DNA) – One hundred and twenty-eight stranded Pakistanis in Uzbekistan were brought back to the country through a special flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Monday.According to a press release issued by the embassy, as a humanitarian gesture, the same flight also brought back 22 Uzbek nationals from Pakistan.These stranded Pakistani nationals included tourists who came to Republic of Uzbekistan on short-term visa and could not return to Pakistan due to suspension of international flights following COVID-19 outbreak.

ISLAMABAD, APR 6 (DNA) – Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephone conversation with the Secretary General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Mr. Vladimir Norov.Both leaders exchanged views on adopting an effective strategy to contain the COVID-19 Pandemic and facing the challenges posed by it.The Foreign Minister briefed the Secretary General on the measures being taken by Pakistan to contain Covid-19 Pandemic.