Pakistan, Australia FMs discuss Afghan situation

The foreign ministers of Pakistan and Australia on Tuesday held a telephonic conversation and discussed the current situation in Afghanistan.

In a call received from the Australian FM Marise Payne, Foreign Minister Qureshi shared Pakistan's perspective on the inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan. Qureshi stressed that it was essential for the world community to support the people of Afghanistan to address humanitarian situation and help for the economic sustenance.

He highlighted

Pakistan's efforts to facilitate evacuation of the diplomatic personnel and staff of international organizations and others from Afghanistan.

In the bilateral context, he said Pakistan highly valued its relationship with Australia, having several strands of collaboration including political, economic and cultural.

Expressing satisfaction at the current level of engagement, the two foreign ministers agreed on enhancing high-level interactions between the two countries. The Australian foreign minister appreciated the government of Pakistan for its support and facilitation extended to the countries in evacuation from Afghanistan.

Commissioner Peshawar Division

Riaz Khan Mehsud presided over a meeting of Divisional and District Administrations (DDA) and discussed ways and means to make door-to-door vaccination against coronavirus. The Commissioner was briefed about coronavirus prevalence situations. Following the Commissioner Peshawar Division issued directives for achieving the set target of door-todoor vaccination at all cost.

He also warned that officials showing negligence during the vaccination drive would face stern legal action. He said all the officers concerned must ensure their on-thespot presence during the campaign.

The Commissioner also asked the general public to vaccinate themselves and their family members against corona disease so that further spread of the virus could be contained. Two more patients died of COVID-19 and 80 more tested positive during the last 24 hours in the district. A spokesperson for the Health Department said on Tuesday that 1,279 coronavirus tests were conducted in public and private sector labs during this period.

The total active cases in Faisalabad have reached 1,102, while 21,346 patients have so far recovered from the disease.

The spokesperson said that 339 beds were allocated at the Allied Hospital, 133 at the DHQ Hospital and 150 at Government General Hospital Ghulam Muhammad Abad for COVID-19 patients.