ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday said in order to check the spread of coronavirus in the country and protect people and the economy from its effects, the government is in contact with the international institutions and it will utilize all resources to provide relief to the masses.

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser called on the prime minister here. Both the leaders exchanged views about coronavirus situation in the country and the measures being taken at the government level to curb the deadly virus.

The prime minister said China’s cooperation with Pakistan to check the disease is laudable. Instead of getting scared, the people should focus on taking precautionary measures against coronavirus, he remarked. Regarding the coronavirus situation and its control, the formation of a joint parliamentary committee of the government and opposition was also agreed during the meeting. The committee will oversee the measures being taken to prevent spread of the virus and make recommendations to make them more effective. Both the leader agreed that coronavirus is a global problem and it could be fought collectively. They stressed for concerted efforts by all above political divide. The prime minister said that public health is the top priority of the government which has taken emergency measures to prevent the spread of virus. The speaker said that all the political parties are united on the issue of national importance. 

He was confident that the spread of the virus will be contained through measures initiated by the government. Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader and former law minister Dr Babar Awan called on Prime Minister Imran Khan here on Thursday.