Pakistan: Coronavirus Cases Cross 1,500, 'All-Weather Ally' China Comes To Rescue

With number of coronavirus cases surging worldwide, Pakistan too finds itself pitched against the COVID-19 outbreak. The number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan reached 1,500 on Saturday with 12 deaths reported so far. Earlier, the Imran Khan government had authorised the deployment of troops of Pakistan army in Islamabad Capital Territory, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan province, PoK to curb the transmission of coronavirus outbreak.

The highest number of positive cases for coronavirus has been reported from Pakistan’s Punjab province. In Sindh, there are 469 cases of COVID-19 till latest update.

Moreover, in a recent press conference, Pakistan PM Imran Khan appealed Pakistanis living overseas to contribute to the relief fund in nation’s fight against coronavirus.

Meanwhile, China has extended assistance to Pakistan in order to combat the spread of coronavirus. A special plane from China carrying a team of eight medical experts and relief assistance landed in Islamabad on Saturday. The medical experts were welcomed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood at the Islamabad airport.

Also Read: Coronavirus: Pakistan Government Authorises Deployment Of Army In Provinces To Curb COVID-19

The Chinese experts will help the Pakistani doctors and health experts to contain the coronavirus outbreak, Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement. 

"The Pakistan-China All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership has acquired greater strength and depth in recent years, guided by the shared vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and (Chinese) President Xi Jinping", the foreign office said.

"China's assistance to Pakistan so far includes 12,000 test kits, 3,00,000 masks, 10,000 protective suits, and support to build an isolation hospital," the statement added.

(With PTI inputs)