China asks Pakistan to open border for medical supplies
‘The materials are ready to be delivered to GB through Khunjerab Pass. Therefore, it is requested to temporarily open the border on Friday;’ Saudi tells Pak to not prepare Hajj agreements
China has asked Pakistan to open the border between the two countries for one day on Friday (March 27) so that medical supplies meant to combat coronavirus could be transported.
The Khunjerab Pass is usually opened on April 1 which marks the end of winter in that part, but due to the global outbreak of Covid-19, the border between Pakistan and China has been closed for an indefinite period.
A letter, written by the Chinese embassy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with copies to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the government of Gilgit-baltistan (GB) and the Ministry of National Health Services, states that the governor of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China would like to donate a batch of medical materials to GB.
According to the letter, the governor has donated 200,000 ordinary face masks, 2,000 N-95 face masks, five ventilators, 2,000 testing kits and 2,000 medical protective clothes mainly used by doctors and paramedics.
The donation is in response to a request made by GB Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman to the governor of Xinjiang region to combat coronavirus in the province.
“The materials are ready to be delivered to GB through Khunjerab Pass at 9am Pakistan time on March 27. Therefore, it is requested to temporarily open [border] the same date. In this regard, it is also highly recommended that Pakistani side should agree and make due preparation before the date so that all materials could enter Pakistan smoothly,” said the Chinese embassy’s letter.
GB has high percentage of coronavirus cases in the country compared to its population, but the underdeveloped region has a negligible number of operational ventilators and remoteness has led to a severe shortage of medical equipment.
Meanwhile, in view of spread of Coronavirus, Saudi Arabia has asked the Pakistani government not to sign agreements for the arrangement of food, shelter and travel for Haj pilgrims from the country.
According to an official, the letter written by Saudi minister Dr Muhammad Saleh Bin Taher Benten to the Pakistani government asked it to stop its Ministry of Religious Affairs from signing any such agreements until the “direction of Covid-19 is clear.”
The letter added that the Saudi Arabia authorities are closely monitoring the situation and would make the government aware of any progress in this regard.
Reacting to the communication, the religious affairs ministry has halted inking any agreement to the effect.
Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pakistan has crossed 1,100 with the authorities responding swiftly to stop the spread of pandemic.
In Islamabad, authorities sealed two localities of Shahzad Town and H-9 Rimsha colony as both areas have positive coronavirus case. The deputy commissioner of Islamabad said health teams will monitor and take appropriate measures. After a survey the localities would be opened. He added that Bara Kahu neighbourhood is partially open.
In the meantime, the Khyber Pakhtunkwha (KP) Health Department said the village of Manga in Mardan is under complete lockdown, while efforts are being made for containment and screening. Food is being provided to the residents.
At the same time, a groom was arrested on Thursday for gathering more than 50 people at his house in a village in Pakpattan, Punjab. The groom and his family members, along with their neighbours and friends, were leaving for the bride’s house when a police team raided their house.
The police said that such gatherings are likely to spread the coronavirus. The suspects have been arrested for violating the lockdown. A case has been registered against them under Section 188 (disobedience to orders) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The number of confirmed cases in Pakistan has increased to 1,190 as of Thursday, while the death toll was recorded at nine, according to authorities.
As a preventive measure, Pakistan has already closed its borders with Iran and Afghanistan.
A lockdown has been imposed in Sindh to contain the spread of the virus.