Qureshi urges US president to reconsider decision of withdrawing WHO funding

• FM says in view of the global health crisis, all countries should work collectively to curb the deadly outbreak.
• Not only the developing countries but developed states will also face the impact of the pandemic: Qureshi.
• Qureshi says decision by G-20 countries to give debt relief to developing countries will have “substantial impact” on Pakistan.

(Karachi) Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that US President Donald Trump should  reconsider his decision to withdraw funds of the World Health Organisation (WHO). He added in view of the global health crisis, all countries should work collectively to curb the deadly outbreak.

Addressing a press briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, he said that not only the developing countries but developed states will also face the impact of the pandemic. He added the prime minister apprised the world about the loss and impacts developing countries will face due to the crisis.

He said "Coronavirus has badly hit the economy of the country besides human impact."

Qureshi maintained the economic crisis that the developing countries are passing through will eventually affect the whole world.

Regarding debt relief, he said that the government had been working on the proposal and it will be beneficial for the  whole world. "The appeal made by Prime Minister Imran Khan has been supported by the United Nations chief which is a welcoming sign."

The foreign minister highlighted that soon after the PM made public appeal for debt relief, the government sent letters to world leaders as well as the UN chief. "The debt relief will help the economies of the developing countries in wake of the coronavirus crisis," he remarked.

He said the decision by G-20 countries to give debt relief to developing countries will have “substantial impact” on Pakistan, allowing the country a much needed “fiscal space” to focus on the downtrodden against the backdrop of Covid-19.