Pakistan opposed the video conference of trade officials from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on Wednesday (April 8).

According to the details, today the meeting of eight-member was held on to discuss the outcomes of COVID-19 in the region.

Pakistan attended the conference earlier in March but only at the ministerial level.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tried to portray himself a leader in the fight against COVID-19.

Be clear that the idea of last virtual conference was also given by Indian Prime Minister.

SAARC conference on COVID-19: Pakistan demands India to lift IOK lockdown

Earlier on March 16, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries’ leaders on Sunday discussed a common strategy against the contagious disease on the video conference.

Dr Mirza was quoted as saying during a video conference, “It is a matter of concern that COVID-19 has been reported from Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and in view of health emergency, it is imperative that all lockdown in the territory must be lifted immediately.”

Dr Mirza also apprised the Saarc countries about the steps being taken by Pakistan to control the spread of coronavirus, which have been appreciated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as well.

“Pakistan shares common concern over the potential of COVID-19 affecting South Asia. All our countries have confirmed cases. There is no room for any complacency. While hoping for the best we have to be prepared for the worst,” he said.

Among other measures, he proposed instituting exit screening by member states for travelers in the region, and instituting mechanisms for learning from the effective efforts of China, a SAARC Observer State, in containment and control.

He called upon the South Asian nations for a calm, calculated, and deliberate response to fight coronavirus but strongly advised against panic.