Editor's Note.

COVID - 1 9 pandemic is currently at its third and deadly phase creating rampage across the world especially in neighboring India. According to the latest figures, the daily death count and infections in India are the world's highest creating records especially after the outbreak of the virus at the end of 2019. There has been an acute shortage of oxygen for patients as they are dying on streets and verandas of hospitals. Death is dancing in India in full swing. The crisis mounted after the incumbent government put aside all the warnings given by the doctors and scientists and let the grand gatherings and processions happen, hence unleashing the virus to move across communities and cities. Vaccine drive has been rolled out globally to curb the impact of the worldwide virus impacts.

Many countries across the world have administered more than 50 percent of their population. However in Pakistan this drive is slow as with this speed, the country needs many years to make its 220 million population to be vaccinated. Like other countries, Pakistan is struggling to counter the pandemic with its limited means. Pakistan has received support from the international community in terms of vaccine doses and other medical and healthcare equipment. Pakistan has closed its borders with Iran and Afghanistan while there are also strict restrictions on movement with India. As Eid is around the corner, Pakistan has also made all precautionary measures to stop the spread of infection. Governments can do what they can but it is up to the public how they can cooperate and save themselves and their loved ones.

Foreign Minister of Russian Federation Serge Lavrov was here in Pakistan on a visit to engage with his Pakistani counterpart and other high officials including the Prime Minister to have the fresh impetus to the relations at the higher level. During this important path-shaping visit, there were discussions on Afghanistan, defense cooperation, North-South Gas pipeline project and about assistance to Pakistan in upgrading the Pakistan Steel. Apart from the Russian Foreign Minister, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto was here in Islamabad. During the visit, both countries agreed to establish a credit line of $84 million for business-to-business cooperation and provide another $50 million for tied aid programs.

Hungarian Foreign Minister was accompanied by 17 top companies to interact under Economic Diplomacy Initiative. Later Prime...