FM Bilawal urges generous int’l support to help Pakistan cope with climate-induced floods

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Sat, 24 Sep 2022, 2:29 AM

United Nations, Sep 23 (APP): Government of Pakistan took “swift and effective” action to deal with the unprecedented floods that have caused ‘colossal’ destruction, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Friday, as he called for generous international support during the next phases of rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Addressing a press conference as he wrapped up his engagements at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, he called for “climate justice” for Pakistan, as this disaster has clearly been caused by climate change and global warming.

“This is a tragedy of monumental proportions,” the foreign minister told journalists at UN Headquarters in New York.

Extreme heat this summer melted many of Pakistan’s glaciers, with early flood outbreaks, and the heat intensified precipitation led to above-average rains.

Pakistan, he said, estimated that the total flood damage was over $30 billion, 10% of its gross domestic product (GDP), with one-third of the country under water.

Over fifteen hundred people were killed and thousands injured. Thirty-three million have been affected; 6 million are destitute. Over a million homes, 7000 kilometers of roads, 300 bridges and 5 million acres of crops/orchids were destroyed.

With a minuscule contribution of 0.8% to the Global Green House Gas (GHG), Pakistan, for many years,
is being listed among the top 10 countries that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

At the same time, FM Bilawal said Pakistan was working on plans for rehabilitation once the flood waters recede, and would rebuild the lost infrastructure in a much better way so that they could withstand future natural calamities.

The August 30 joint UN-Pakistan Flash Appeal of $160 million was being upgraded, and when the damage estimates are completed, a donors conference will be held to raise funds for rehabilitation and reconstructions in the devastated areas, he said.

Replying to a series of questions, the foreign minister said Pakistan believes that engagement with the Afghan Interim Government was essential to promote the international community’s aims to promote human rights, including women’s rights, political inclusivity and effective and comprehensive action against the terrorist organizations in Afghanistan.

Pakistan, he added, stands for women’s right to education.

FM Bilawal criticized India’s unilateral and illegal measures of 5 August 2019 to annex Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and to impose, what the Indian government has ominously called, a “Final Solution”, saying New Delhi had removed the political space for a peaceful and negotiated solution that could be acceptable to all parties.

PM calls for acceptance of viable, independent, contiguous Palestinian state

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Munir Hussain

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Sat, 24 Sep 2022, 2:23 AM

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PM calls for acceptance of viable, independent, contiguous Palestinian state

NEW YORK, Sep 24 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday said the only just, comprehensive and lasting solution of the Palestinian question was the acceptance of a viable, independent and contiguous Palestinian State, with the pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Speaking at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly here, he reiterated Pakistan’s deep concerns over the numerous conflicts across the Middle East, including in Syria and Yemen.
Pakistan supported all possible efforts to promote their peaceful resolution, he added.
“We call on Israel to put an immediate end to the blatant use of force and flagrant violations of human rights of the Palestinian people and the repeated desecration of the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque,” he stated.
The prime minister said the UN Security Council and the General Assembly must be empowered to play their respective roles under the UN Charter.

“The Security Council must be expanded by adding 11 new non-permanent members to make it more representative, democratic, transparent, effective and accountable. Adding new permanent members will paralyze the Council’s decision-making, enlarge its representational deficit, and create new centres of privilege in violation of the principle of sovereign equality of member states,” he commented.

Calling for the nations to step back from the precipice, he urged the world to restore peace in Europe, avoid a war in Asia and resolve festering conflicts across the world.
“We will work with all those committed to the UN Charter’s principles – to restore the vision which created the United Nations and to equip this Organization with the capacity to preserve global peace and promote universal prosperity,” he added.

PM urges int’l community to provide $ 4.2 billion humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan

By

Munir Hussain

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Sat, 24 Sep 2022, 2:07 AM

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PM urges int'l community to provide $ 4.2 billion humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan

NEW YORK, Sep 24 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday urged the international community to respond in a positive way to the United Nations Secretary-General’s appeal for $4.2 billion in humanitarian and economic assistance to Afghanistan and release the country’s financial reserves, essential to revive its banking system.

Speaking at the 77th session of United Nations General Assembly here, the prime minister said 30 million Afghans were left without a functional economy and banking system that allowed ordinary Afghans to make a living to be able to build a better future.
He said Pakistan would like to see an “Afghanistan which is at peace with itself and the world, and which respects and nurtures all its citizens, irrespective of gender, ethnicity and religion.”

He told the gathering that Pakistan was working to encourage respect for the rights of Afghan girls and women to education and work.
“Yet, at this point, isolating the Afghan Interim Government could aggravate the suffering of the Afghan people, who are already destitute. Constructive engagement and economic support are more likely to secure a positive response. A peaceful, prosperous and connected Afghanistan is in our collective interest,” the prime minister commented.

He said being a neighbour, Pakistan had a vital stake in peace and stability in Afghanistan as the country had also led the humanitarian efforts to help the Afghan people.
“We must avoid another civil war, rising terrorism, drug trafficking or new refugees – which none of Afghanistan’s neighbours are in a position to accommodate,” he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz told the General Assembly that Pakistan shared the key concern of the international community regarding the threat posed by the major terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan, especially ISIL-K and TTP as well as Al-Qaida, ETIM and IMU.
However, he said, “they all need to be dealt with comprehensively, with the support and cooperation of the interim Afghan authorities. In turn, the international community should address Afghanistan’s dire humanitarian needs.”

PM meets Malala, lauds her advocacy on girls’ education

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Munir Hussain

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Sat, 24 Sep 2022, 1:37 AM

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Read in Urdu

NEW YORK, Sep 24 (APP):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met Nobel Laureate Malala Yousufzai on the sidelines of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly here on Friday and lauded her international advocacy work on social issues, particularly girls’ education.

The Prime Minister highlighted the damage and destruction caused by the recent climate-induced floods which had caused widespread loss of lives and livelihoods. He expressed his special concern on the effects of these unprecedented floods on educational infrastructure.

Appreciating Malala’s courage and dedication, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s efforts in the areas of education, gender equality and increased learning opportunities for both male and female students in Pakistan. The PM also noted the government’s projects and schemes to prioritize and incentivize the education of girls in Pakistan and appreciated the partnership of Malala Fund with the Ministry of Education to support its existing STEM programme.

Malala reaffirmed her commitment to promoting the right to education for all girls and regretted that many schools had been destroyed in the recent climate-induced floods in Pakistan. She expressed her resolve for helping underprivileged children, especially girls. She assured of Malala Fund’s support for Pakistan’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the catastrophic floods, in particular on girls’ access to education.

Today I met with Prime Minister @CMShehbaz to discuss the urgent needs of people affected by floods in Pakistan. We are calling on the international community to ease debt pressure and provide immediate humanitarian support. pic.twitter.com/ZwAztdBgnA
— Malala (@Malala) September 23, 2022

Brothers Nawaz, Shehbaz earn distinction of addressing UNGA

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Munir Hussain

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Sat, 24 Sep 2022, 1:25 AM

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ISLAMABAD, Sep 24 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has earned a unique distinction by addressing the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Before that his brother Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif also spoke at the United Nations General Assembly as the prime minister of Pakistan. So both brothers got the opportunity to address the world body as heads of the government.
In the past, a father and a daughter, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, both prime ministers of Pakistan also spoke at the UN General Assembly.

While son in law of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and husband of Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari, as President of Pakistan also made a speech at the UN General Assembly.

President appreciates Pak-England T20I series

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NNPS Desk

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Sat, 24 Sep 2022, 12:55 AM

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KARACHI, Sep 24 (APP):President Dr. Arif Alvi appreciating the conduct of T20I series between Pakistan and England, said that the revival of international Cricket in the country was a good omen.

He expressed these views while interacting with media, when he arrived at the National Stadium Karachi to watch third T20I of seven match series between Pakistan and England.

The president lauded the role of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and other organisations for the restoration of international cricket in Pakistan. He said it’s good to see England in Pakistan.

Earlier, the PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja welcomed the President Dr. Arif Alvi on his arrival at the stadium.

Before start of the match, Pakistan won the toss and elected to field.
England defeated Pakistan by 63 runs.
England gave a target of 221 at a loss of 3 wickets and Pakistan team could reach only 158 runs with the loss of 8 wickets.