Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has urged the Canadian government to reconsider its decision of suspending flights from Pakistan due to COVID-19 situation in Canada.

During a telephonic conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau, he said Pakistan and Canada historically enjoy cordial relationship and underlined the need to enhance the bilateral relations in political, economic, security and cultural fields for mutual benefit of the two countries.

The Canadian Foreign Minister briefed Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the decision of his government to suspend flights to and from Pakistan in the wake of an upsurge in COVID-19 cases in Canada.

During the call, matters pertaining to COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral ties and regional situation were discussed.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi apprised his Canadian counterpart of the effective measures taken by Pakistan to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the lives and livelihoods of the people.

He also offered condolences on the loss of precious lives in Canada due to COVID-19 and extended good wishes to the Government and people of Canada to combat the pandemic in a holistic manner.

He appreciated the inclusion of Pakistan in Students Direct Stream while expressing hope that it would help augment access of more Pakistani students to the educational institutes of Canada.

The Foreign Minister requested to re-establish Canadian visa processing center in Islamabad following improvement in the law and order situation in Pakistan.

He also thanked Canadian Government for positively revising travel advisory for Pakistan.