UK, Pakistan ministers discuss repatriation of stranded citizens

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his British counterpart Dominic Raab on Tuesday discussed matters relating to the repatriation of citizens stranded after airspace closure in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.

Following up on their earlier telephonic conversation regarding efforts to contain the virus outbreak, Qureshi told Raab the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had so far operated 23 flights, repatriating more than 7,700 British nationals.

The British foreign secretary appreciated and thanked Pakistan for its support. He informed that the UK wanted to operate chartered flights to repatriate remaining British nationals from Pakistan. Qureshi conveyed Pakistan was open to the idea and would facilitate Britain in that regard.

Qureshi felicitated the secretary of state on the discharge of Prime Minister Boris Johnson from hospital and wished him speedy recovery. He commended the able stewardship of the fight against the outbreak by the secretary of state in the absence of the Prime Minister Johnson, according to a press release issued by the foreign affairs ministry, here.

Underscoring Pakistan’s solidarity and longstanding affiliation with the UK and its people, Qureshi offered heartfelt condolences over the loss of precious lives.

He also lauded the role being played by the NHS and healthcare professionals the world over in risking their lives in looking after the patients.

The foreign minister apprised his British counterpart about Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call for launching a “Global Initiative for Debt Relief.” Alluding to reports by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) concerning an imminent economic recession of a graver nature than the Great Depression, the foreign minister underscored that without immediate, coordinated and comprehensive actions to create fiscal space, the developing world might have to contend with dire social, political and economic consequences.

He expressed the hope the UK would support and advance that cause in earnest, particularly through the platform of G20.The British foreign secretary assured him of UK’s understanding and support for the initiative.