ARMalik
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1541620/p...to-help-nations-like-pakistan-cope-with-virus
PM urges world to think of 'debt-write offs' to help nations like Pakistan cope with virus
"The world community has to think of some sort of a debt write-off for countries like us, which are very vulnerable, at least that will help us in coping with (the coronavirus)."
He also called for lifting sanctions against Iran, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East.
The premier sat down with AP at his office in Islamabad. He'd spent much of his day meeting experts about the effect of the coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan, which has confirmed 193 cases so far.
He said that if a serious outbreak of the pandemic happens in Pakistan, he is worried that his government's efforts to lift the ailing economy out of near-collapse would begin an unstoppable slide backward.
Exports would fall off, unemployment would soar and an onerous national debt would become an impossible burden. Pakistan secured a $6 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund last year.
"It's not just Pakistan. I would imagine the same in India, in the subcontinent, in African countries," he said, referring to the virus.
"If it spreads, we will all have problems with our health facilities. We just don't have that capability. We just don't have the resources."
Most people who get the new coronavirus and the COVID-19 illness it causes experience only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, and recover within weeks. But the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by people with no visible symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
PM urges world to think of 'debt-write offs' to help nations like Pakistan cope with virus
"The world community has to think of some sort of a debt write-off for countries like us, which are very vulnerable, at least that will help us in coping with (the coronavirus)."
He also called for lifting sanctions against Iran, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East.
The premier sat down with AP at his office in Islamabad. He'd spent much of his day meeting experts about the effect of the coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan, which has confirmed 193 cases so far.
He said that if a serious outbreak of the pandemic happens in Pakistan, he is worried that his government's efforts to lift the ailing economy out of near-collapse would begin an unstoppable slide backward.
Exports would fall off, unemployment would soar and an onerous national debt would become an impossible burden. Pakistan secured a $6 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund last year.
"It's not just Pakistan. I would imagine the same in India, in the subcontinent, in African countries," he said, referring to the virus.
"If it spreads, we will all have problems with our health facilities. We just don't have that capability. We just don't have the resources."
Most people who get the new coronavirus and the COVID-19 illness it causes experience only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, and recover within weeks. But the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by people with no visible symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
