The news comes amid global concerns about deadly Indian variant of coronavirus
The Indian High Commission (IHC) officials along with their family members were quarantined upon their arrival in Pakistan after one of them tested positive for coronavirus.
The spouse of one of the officials of the Indian high commission in Islamabad had tested positive for the coronavirus just days after arriving in Pakistan, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, the spokesperson of the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said.
“A group of 12 officials and family members of the Indian High Commission (IHC) in Islamabad crossed over to Pakistan through Wagah border on 22 May 2021 in line with the laid down COVID related health safety protocols,” Chaudhri said. “All 12 passengers carried negative PCR reports.”
However, upon arrival in Pakistan, the spouse of an official of the IHC tested positive after a rapid antigen test was conducted by Pakistani health officials.
“The National Command and Control Centre (NCOC), being the competent forum, after reviewing the case, advised all 12 officials and their family members along with the driver of the vehicle to undergo mandatory quarantine,” Chaudhri said. “The IHC has been advised to strictly follow the guidelines provided by the NCOC.”
The news was disturbing for many Pakistanis due to the global concerns about rising cases of a deadly Indian variant of coronavirus which has devastated India. India’s coronavirus death toll has passed 300,000, making it the third after US and Brazil to surpass more than 300,000 cases. However, experts believe the true number of deaths in India is much higher and is not being accurately reported by Indian government.