GWADAR: Civil society activists and local administration officials took out a solidarity rally in the port city of Gwadar on Wednesday to express sympathy and unity with China and its people who were dealing with the coronavirus.

A large number of people, including students, members of the civil society and other people belonging to different walks of life participated in the rally led by Moh­ammad Naeem Advocate of the Balochistan Awami Party, Assistant Commi­ssioner Raja Azhar Abbas and others.

The participants of the rally carried placards and banners inscribed with Pak-China friendship slogans marched on the various roads of the port city. Speakers at the rally said that China was playing a very important role in the development of Gwadar and it had always extended help and cooperation to Pakistan whenever it faced any crisis.

They said that through the rally, the people of Gwadar wanted to give a message to the entire world that the people of Pakistan were with the Chinese government and its people who were facing the severe health crisis that had claimed over 2,000 lives. They expressed sympathy with families who lost their near and dear ones because of the virus. Pakistan would not leave China alone at this stage and would extend all help and support to the country, they further added.

Chinese officials believe the coronavirus originated from wild animals at a seafood market in Wuhan, but it has since spread to several countries around Asia and beyond.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2020