FM discusses Covid-19 with foreign intellectuals.

ISLAMABAD -- Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday stressed the need for a multi-stakeholder global perspective approach to address the Covid-19 pandemic, keeping in view its socioeconomic impact across the world.

'Pakistan's healthcare system needs improvement to cater to the needs of emergency situations as Covid-19 has affected nearly 25,000 persons and claimed 590 lives,' the foreign minister apprised the foreign intellectuals through video link under his 'FM Connect Digital with Global Thought Leaders' initiative.

The guests included Dr William Ury of the Harvard University, Professor Kishore Mahbubani of the National University of Singapore as well as Dr Kevin P Gallagher and Dr Adil Najam of the Boston University.

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Qureshi said the government of Pakistan had allocated $8 billion to deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus situation. 'Under the Ehsaas socio-welfare programme, Rs144 billion was being distributed among 12 million needy people,' the minister added.

He said an amount of Rs75 billion was allocated for labourers and workers who lost their jobs due to the virus-induced lockdown in the country, adding that Pakistan suffered a 41% dip in exports and feared fiscal deficit to increase By: 10% due to the current situation.

He said, 'Prime Minister...