Chief Minister of Indian Punjab Amarinder Singh has said Prime Minister Narendra Modi government had refused the request for private firms in the state to commercially import liquid medical oxygen from Pakistan.
As India reported a record number of coronavirus cases and its health sector choking due to lack of equipment particularly oxygen cylinders, Pakistan, in April, offered Covid-19 support to the neighbouring country in a gesture of solidarity.
“As a gesture of solidarity with the people of India in the wake of the current wave of Covid-19, Pakistan has offered to provide relief support to India including ventilators, Bi PAP, digital X-ray machines, PPEs (personal protective equipment) and related items,” a statement from the Foreign Office had said.
The statement said that authorities in Pakistani and India can work out modalities for quick delivery of the relief items. “They can also explore possible ways of further cooperation to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.”
India has not responded to the offer.
According to a report of The Wire, the Indian government refused the request of the Indian Punjab government to import liquid medical oxygen from Pakistan through the Wagah-Attari border, which is geographically proximate, despite the rising number of Covid-19 patients.
The request was made by Punjab’s chief minister in a letter to PM Modi, saying that the state had over 10,000 patients on oxygen support.
As a gesture of solidarity with the people of India in the wake of the current wave of #COVID19, Pakistan has officially offered relief & support to #India, including ventilators, Bi PAP, digital X ray machines, PPEs & other related items. We believe in a policy of #HumanityFirst
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) April 24, 2021
Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed solidarity with the people of India. The premier said the country’s prayers are with all those suffering from the deadly virus and for their early recovery in “our neighbourhood and the world”.
I want to express our solidarity with the people of India as they battle a dangerous wave of COVID-19. Our prayers for a speedy recovery go to all those suffering from the pandemic in our neighbourhood & the world. We must fight this global challenge confronting humanity together
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 24, 2021
Continue Reading at Source
