As the stranded Pakistani students in China continue to cry for help amid the coronavirus scare, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Naghmana Hashmi on Sunday said that these students should continue to stay in Wuhan.

According to the sources, The statement from the envoy comes a day after a senior health official in Islamabad announced that the government will not bring its citizens despite multiple requests from the students and their families for immediate evacuation.

Speaking to media on Saturday, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said that no Pakistani will be allowed to travel back to the country from China till they complete a 14-day observation period.

“I want to assure our citizens that the Pakistani Embassy and Chinese government are working jointly to make sure their problems are immediately addressed. Currently, the province is quarantined and no one is allowed to go. As soon as the restrictions are lifted, we will be the first to be with our countrymen,”  Naghmana Hashmi said.

WHO declares global virus emergency as death toll hits 213

The United Nations (UN) health agency based in Geneva had initially downplayed the threat posed by the disease, but revised its risk assessment after crisis talks.

According to AFP, The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global emergency over the new coronavirus, as China reported Friday the death toll had climbed to 213 with nearly 10,000 infections.

According to the World Health Organization, The total number of confirmed cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus reported from mainland China to date is 9,692. This includes 1,527 severe cases and 213 people who have died.

The total number of confirmed cases of the 2019 novel #coronavirus reported from mainland China 🇨🇳 to date is 9,692.

This includes 1,527 severe cases and 213 people who have died.#nCoV #nCoV2019 #2019nCoV pic.twitter.com/eHjg7i926V

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— World Health Organization Western Pacific (@WHOWPRO) January 31, 2020