ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan and US President Donald Trump discussed the coronavirus pandemic, its implications for global economy and ways of mitigating its impact, said an official handout circulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.

The prime minister conveyed his sympathies and condolences to the American president on the loss of precious lives in the United States due to the spread of the virus.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to deal with the infectious disease while pointing out that his country was facing the dual challenge of overcoming the pandemic and saving the most vulnerable social segments from hunger due to the lockdown situation.

The prime minister thanked President Trump for supporting his country in its dealings with the International Monetary Fund, saying it provided necessary fiscal space to Pakistan and helped mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement added that Khan’s “call for ‘Global Initiative on Debt Relief” for the developing countries” was also made in the same context.

The prime minister also highlighted Pakistan’s support for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and the importance of political settlement in the neighboring country.

He “reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for facilitation of the Afghan peace process and underscored the importance of next steps leading to the earliest commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations,” said the statement.

President Trump appreciated Khan’s phone call and expression of support for US efforts to combat COVID-19.

“He also reassured of US support to Pakistan in the efforts to combat COVID-19 including by making available ventilators as well as in the economic arena,” the official handout continued. “Having learned about testing of Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Trump offered to send the latest rapid testing machine for COVID-19 to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister thanked him for the gesture.”