STAFF REPORTER
ISLAMABAD Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday held a conversation with his Saudi counterpart and held a detailed discussion regarding the challenge posed by coronavirus pandemic to the global community. FM Qureshi expressed deep grief and sorrow over the deaths of Saudi nationals due to coronavirus during the telephonic conversation with Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud and appreciated the timely steps taken by the Saudi government to limit the spread of the deadly pathogen. The foreign minister also apprised his Saudi counterpart regarding the steps taken by the Pakistani government to contain the contagion. Qureshi pointed out that developing countries like Pakistan are facing grave economic difficulties in the wake of this global challenge. FM Qureshi also strongly denounced the missile attacks on the Saudi capital Riyadh and Jizan and appreciated the timely response of Saudi forces to save precious lives and infrastructure. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support to the security and territorial integrity of the Kingdom. The Saudi Foreign Minister said the G-20 Virtual Summit, hosted by the Kingdom, discussed various aspects of financial assistance to developing countries including the proposal of restructuring their loans. The two top diplomats agreed to continue their consultation process for the promotion of bilateral cooperation and to meet the coronavirus challenge. Meanwhile, a high-level meeting, presided over by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, on Wednesday reviewed several aspects of phase-wise repatriation of Pakistani citizens stranded in other countries. The three meetings convened earlier sought recommendations from the Ministry of Health, Civil Aviation Authority, Overseas Division, National Institute of Health, Pakistan International Airlines, and several other institutions and detailed discussions on the recommendations were also held. Addressing the meeting, the foreign minister maintained that bringing back Pakistanis stranded at airports across the globe is a top priority
