City
Epaper

Coronavirus: Pak won't evacuate citizens from China

By IANS | Updated: January 31, 2020 09:00 IST

Pakistan has said that it would not evacuate its citizens, mostly students, the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak which has so far killed 170 people and infected nearly 8,000.

Open in App

"We believe it's in the interest of our loved-ones in China (to stay there). It's in the larger interest of the region, the world, and the country that we don't evacuate them now," The Express Tribune quoted Zafar Mirza, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, as saying to the media here on Thursday.

"This is what the World Health Organisation (WHO) is saying, this is China's policy, and this is our policy as well. We stand by China in full solidarity.

"Right now the Chinese government has contained this epidemic in Wuhan city. If we act irresponsibly and start evacuating people from there, this epidemic will spread all over the world like wildfire," Mirza added.

Mirza's remarks came a day after he disclosed that four Pakistani students in Wuhan have been tested positive for the mysterious pathogen.

Almost 500 Pakistanis are studying in various universities of Wuhan, a city of 11 million people in Hubei province which has been quarantined by authorities in an attempt to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The stranded students have been making appeals for their evacuation in video clips shared on social media platforms.

In response, Mirza said on Thursday that Pakistan's Embassy was in contact with the infected students.

Their condition is improving as they were diagnosed at an earlier stage, he added.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said a high-powered technical committee has been formed to monitor and review the situation, The Express Tribune reported.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: chinaWuhanpakistan
Open in App

Related Stories

Cricket'India Hamare Baap The..': Pakistani Fan Abuses Men in Green After Loss to India in Asia Cup 2025 Final (Watch)

CricketIND vs PAK 2025 Live Streaming: Head-to-Head Record, When and Where to Watch India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Final

InternationalTyphoon Ragasa Live Tracker Map: Deadly Cyclonic Storm Nears Vietnam After Wreaking Havoc in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan; Check Real-Time Status

Cricket'Abhishek Sharma Bigger Talent Than Yuvraj Singh': Former Pakistan Cricketer After IND vs PAK Match in Asia Cup 2025

Cricket'He Could Have Taken Side Angle': Former Cricket Umpire on Fakhar Zaman's Dismissal in IND vs PAK Super 4 Match of Asia Cup

International Realted Stories

InternationalBill Gates’ endorsement means India’s innovations hold great promise for Global South

International"India needs to verify, then trust China": Chinese Studies expert Kondapalli

InternationalSevere humanitarian crisis in Balochistan amid Pak Army operations: Rights body

International"We cannot thank PM Modi enough for sharing this gift with Trinidad and Tobago": Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

InternationalBangladesh's student-led NCP pushing EC into corner over 'Shapla' election symbol