COVID-19 in Pakistan: PM Khan asks nation not to panic and stay united to combat with the ongoing situation

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday asked the nation not to panic saying that COVID-19 would spread in Pakistan and as a nation we need to stay united to combat with the ongoing situation.

PM Khan while addressing the nation said: “The virus will spread [in the country] as the countries with better facilities than us could not stop it.”

The prime minister said that the pathogen was dangerous for old people since it attacked their already-weakened immune system.

Paying homage to Balochistan government and the Pak Army on ensuring that pilgrims arriving from Taftan were quarantined, PM told that the government has been keeping a keen eye on coronavirus situation closely.

Referring the coronavirus situation around the world,  he said that the US, Italy and England have different approach to tackle the situation. However, comparing it to Pakistan he said the country cannot afford the same response as European countries.

“Our economic situation is very fragile,” he said. “If we close down the country, what will happen to the poor? People will die of hunger here,” he said.

He said that an economic committee will determine the solution so that the government can cope with the coronavirus situation. PM Khan said that he is afraid of the situation food prices will once again rise as profiteers and hoarders will once again resume dishonest activities.

Nearly all the “industries across the world are collapsing, Pakistan will also have to face severe problems,” he said.

“First it will affect our exporters as our exports had recently increased, our textile industry is running at full capacity,” he said.

“Business will get affected. The economic committee will monitor which areas are being affected and how the government can help them, they will keep a check on inflation,” he said.

He said that the virus was spreading in countries and the government was studying responses of other governments and how they were acting to eradicate the pandemic.

The Prime Minister asked nation to stand together to fight coronavirus as no government, including American and China were able to tackle it alone, it is because of joint efforts that they are surviving, he said.

He urged people to keep away from large gatherings and avoid from shaking hands.

The premier advised the nation to not panic saying that there is no need that every person testing himself/herself over mild flu symptoms.

He said the testing kits should be used for only people who were really suffering from the novel virus, he said.