ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to push to lift coronavirus-related travel restrictions imposed on Pakistan and other developing nations.
“Travel restrictions imposed by developed countries in the wake of COVID-19 can further exacerbate economic difficulties of developing countries struggling to mitigate adverse economic impact of the pandemic,” a statement issued by Khan’s office said after his video call with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization.
“He [PM Khan] called upon WHO to play its role in engaging member states to remove COVID-19 related travel restrictions for Pakistan and other developing countries and to work toward a data driven system of non-discriminatory travel rules,” the statement added.
The press release also quoted Ghebreyesus as saying the WHO was working to suggest COVID-19 related travel guidelines “to help the international community in making these decisions.”
Statistics on the Pakistan government’s coronavirus portal showed 234,509 infections and 4,839 deaths from the virus as of Tuesday.
The south Asian nation lifted its lockdown in late May, putting protocols in place for the reopening of markets, industries and public transport — including mandatory wearing of masks and social distancing. Cases have since surged, however, pushing authorities to impose ‘smart lockdowns’ in various cities nationwide.
“Thank you for a productive call this morning, Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI, about the #COVID19 situation in #Pakistan & globally,” Ghebreyesus said in a Twitter post. “@WHO is glad to see that cases in [Pakistan] have been in decline since early June & we appreciate your strong surveillance efforts to fight the pandemic.”