UNITED NATIONS: “Pakistan is drowning, not only in floodwater but in debt” too, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif prompted the transnational community on Tuesday to stay engaged with the country as it deals with this huge philanthropic extremity.
Pakistan and France, meanwhile, agreed to identify ways and means to support sweat to attack the challenge caused by cataracts and Paris offered to host a transnational conference before the end of the time to help Islamabad rebuild in a climate-flexible manner.
“I later saw it with my own eyes in Pakistan where one-third of the country is submerged by a ‘thunderstorm on steroids’,” said the UN chief during a forceful address to world leaders gathered for the opening day of the General Assembly’s high- position debate.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif meets H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France on the sidelines of UNGA 77 Session 2022.#PMPakatUNGA pic.twitter.com/h1K7KvJOqN
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 20, 2022
Mr Guterres repeated the appeal he first made during his recent visit to Pakistan where he prompted lenders to consider debt reduction to help those nations that were facing a possible profitable collapse. “ Creditors should consider debt reduction mechanisms similar as debt- climate adaption barters, ” he said again at the UNGA.
“These could have saved lives and livelihoods in Pakistan, which is drowning not only in floodwater but in debt.”
The UN chief prompted the lenders to set up “ an effective medium of debt relief for developing countries, including middle-income countries, in debt torture ”.
This is the first UNGA session attended physically by world leaders after the Covid- 19 epidemic.
Also at the welcome event hosted by Mr Guterres, Prime Minister Sharif interacted with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, held bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, President of Spain Pedro Sanchez Perez- Castejon, Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer, and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Sayyid Ebrahim Raisi.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in a bilateral meeting with H.E Sayyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the sidelines of 77th Session of United Nations General Assembly. #PMPakatUNGA pic.twitter.com/xjE0Ttvtw9
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 20, 2022
Besides, Mr Sharif expressed gratefulness to Palestine’s President Mahmoud Abbas for transferring the response and deliverance platoon for the flood tide-affected people of Pakistan.
He also stressed the need for help out developing husbandry in a series of tweets. He was listed to address the Global Food Security Summit, but couldn’t due to other engagements. In his tweets, he said he’d come to the UNGA to “tell Pakistan’s story to the world, a story of deep anguish and pain arising out of a massive mortal tragedy caused by cataracts ”.
Reached NY a few hours ago to tell Pakistan's story to the world, a story of deep anguish & pain arising out of a massive human tragedy caused by floods. In my address at UNGA & bilateral meetings, I will present Pakistan's case on issues that call for world's immediate attention
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 20, 2022
French help
According to a common statement, issued after PM Sharif’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the UNGA, the premier acquainted President Macron with the desolation caused by the climate- convinced cataracts across Pakistan, and expressed gratefulness to France for transferring timely backing of canopies, water pumps and a platoon of croakers and nurses, and hoped that the country would continue to contribute to the recuperation and reconstruction phase.
The premier also thanked France for its support for GSP scheme, noting that it served to enhance trade and profitable ties with EU as well as France.
