It's been govt's endevour to care for both lives, livelihood amid COVID-19 in country: Shibli Faraz.

ISLAMABAD -- Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz Friday said it had been the endeavour of the government to care for both lives and livelihood following outbreak of coronavirus in the country.

He said during a meeting with Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Kuninori Matsuda who called on him here.

Matters relating to Pak-Japan bilateral relations, current COVID-19 situation and media cooperation were discussed on the occasion.

At the outset of meeting, the minister apprised the Japanese ambassador about the latest announcement on May 7 by Prime Minister Imran Khan to relax the COVID-19 lockdown in a phased manner.

He said during the lockdown in the country, special attention had been paid to the welfare of the needy and poor segments of the society.

The ambassador said the prime minister of Pakistan had led the national response on COVID-19 pandemic from the very beginning which was highly commendable.

He said the government's due care for lives and livelihood during the campaign against corona pandemic was a great example to follow and it had really helped the cause of the poor and needy.

He recalled Pakistan's support to Japan during the Tsunami and various incidents of earthquake. He said Japan in the same spirit had provided $2.16 million assistance to Pakistan to fight the COVID-19. Tokyo would keep up its support to Pakistan in this hour of need, he said.

Kuninori Matsuda expressed Japan's keenness for support and cooperation in developing clean drinking water facilities, ecology protection and for measures regarding flood control.

He said Japan also intended to cooperate with Pakistan in the agricultural sector with particular emphasis on efforts for locust control.

He said once the situation turned to...