National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri says the entire world has praised Pakistan’s strategy to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking in a panel discussion on “Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 on Democracy” in 5th Speakers' Conference jointly organized by Inter-Parliamentary Union and the United Nations in Vienna, he said the COVID-19 pandemic is not only a health and economic emergency but also a crisis for democracy, human rights, and governance that could undermine or cause collapse of fragile democracies.

He said Pakistan is seriously concerned on COVID-19 related negative propaganda, stereotyping and discrimination against minorities in some regions and countries around the world.

The Deputy Speaker said the spread of disinformation also poses a serious threat to democracy and one of its prime consequences is rising Islamophobia.

He praised the role of the judiciary and media in Pakistan towards strengthening constitutional guarantees and promoting democratic values.

Qasim Khan Suri further said that in order to comply with its international obligations, Pakistan is formulating the second phase of the National Action Plan on Human Rights for protection of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of all segments of society.