The Chinese-funded company International Corridor Services (Pvt) Ltd and the Confucius Institute Islamabad here on Monday donated food to Pakistani families amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown.

The donated items, with a total worth of around 14,160 U.S. dollars, will be distributed to over 600 families, including flour, rice, sugar, edible oil, and other supplies.

Addressing the donation ceremony, Sheikh Anser Aziz, mayor of Islamabad, thanked the Chinese people for providing supplies in urgent need to people in the capital.

He said the Pakistani and Chinese people are like brothers and sisters, and the Chinese government and people have helped Pakistan significantly in this difficult time of COVID-19 outbreak.

Vice President of the Confucius Institute Islamabad Zhang Daojian said that it is the laborers especially the daily wagers in Pakistan, who lost their source of income because of the pandemic and the lockdown, that made them decide to raise funds and provide food.

"China and Pakistan have very close relations, and Pakistan has provided great help for China's fight against COVID-19. In this difficult time of epidemic outbreak, we want to make our contributions and help these Pakistani families going through the hard times," Zhang said.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen to 20,884 including 476 deaths in Pakistan, according to the data updated by the country's health ministry on Monday evening.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/04/c_139030287.htm