Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting – Fawad Chaudhry has hinted on importing oxygen from China, Iran if country’s oxygen supply proves to be insufficient in wake of recent COVID-19 surge.
Expressing his views in a press-briefing on Tuesday (today), Fawad Chaudhry noted that if the COVID-19 situation worsens resulting in an increased demand for oxygen, the government might turn to neighboring countries primarily China and Iran to import the oxygen.
The federal minister argued that oxygen can only be imported via land or sea as it cannot be airlifted, hence China and Iran are the most viable options for Pakistan for oxygen import.
#Live: Information Minister @fawadchaudhry talking to media in Islamabad https://t.co/798vBbWD9J
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) April 27, 2021
Fawad Chaudhry admitted that there is a crisis in Pakistan amid prevailing COVID-19 wave. However, there isn’t any panic as of now, clarified the minister.
He also warned that in case of complete lockdown, essential measures will have to be taken to ensure the non-interrupted supply of basic utilities and healthcare services, products.
Highlighting the issue of COVID-19 vaccination, Fawad Chaudhry underscored that more than 1 billion people have been inoculated against the novel virus around the world, meanwhile 2 million people have received COVID-19 vaccine in Pakistan.
As of now, 3.7 million COVID-19 vaccine doses are available in the country, he added.
The federal minister urged the people to actively participate in COVID-19 vaccination and reassured that the inoculation is ‘safe’ in every aspect.
