Coronavirus: Pakistan Refuses to Help Its Students; Can India Evacuate?

The deadly Coronavirus has almost everyone on tenterhooks. As many as 500 Pakistan students studying in Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the virus, have made fervent appeals to the Imran Khan-led Pakistan government to “rescue” them. However, Pakistan has decided not to do so, citing “larger interests” of the nation and its people.

Now, Ravish Kumar, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, has said that India will consider evacuating Pakistani students if the Imran Khan government requests for the same. He also added that no such request has come so far.

Some time back, Pakistani students had taken to social media and made heart-wrenching pleas, requesting their government to rescue them.

So far about 565 have died in China of the virus with several thousands of confirmed cases reported and millions under isolation and quarantine. The virus has spread to 27 countries including India, Germany, UK amongst others. All three confirmed cases in India are from Kerala, which has declared a state emergency. Several thousands have also been quarantined aboard ships in Hong Kong and Japan.

Drug makers are also racing against time to come up with a cure. Meanwhile, Wuhan residents have been asked by local authorities to report their body temperatures on a daily basis.

Elon Musk-led Tesla became the latest company to temporarily halt operations in China. Meanwhile, China hasn’t been happy with countries imposing travel restrictions.