UNGA President draws world’s attention to heart-wrenching scenes of flood devastation in Pakistan
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 20 (APP): The President of 77th session of the UN General Assembly Csaba Korosi said Tuesday that devastation left behind by the unprecedented foods in Pakistan “can be a window into our future.”
“I stand in solidarity with the people of Pakistan, where devastating floods washed away hundreds of villages,” he told the 193-member’s Assembly at the start of its high-level debate.
“You have seen the heart-wrenching scenes of devastation: this can be a window into our future,” President Korosi said, while noting that solutions exist to counter the adverse impacts of climate change.
“These (solutions) are rooted in the advancements we have made in science cooperation and climate diplomacy, he said, but asked,”we have to put them in practice.”
The world, he said, needs solutions through solidarity, sustainability and science, while pointing out that over 300 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian aid and protection – a 10 percent rise since January.
Driven by climate change, the UNGA president said, COVID-19 and conflict, global hunger has reached alarming level, noting that in the last six months, food and energy inflation have pushed at least 70 million people into poverty.
“We live, it seems, in a permanent state of humanitarian emergency,” he added.
After this high-level week, the president said, he plans to launch a series of consultations with the scientific community, asking them for help in this regard,
“Bringing knowledge from microscopes to microphones.”
Int’l community needs to turn solidarity for flood-hit people into action: PM
NEW YORK, Sep 20 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday emphasized the international community to realize their sentiments of solidarity for the flood-stricken people of Pakistan into action for much-needed relief and rehabilitation of the suffering humanity.
The prime minister, who is currently on a US visit to attend the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, told a private television channel (Geo News) that he had “encouraging” interactions with the world leaders on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the 193-member world body.
He mentioned his bilateral meetings with Austrian chancellor and Spanish counterpart Pedro Sánchez and others, saying the objective was to sensitize the international community at the United Nations platform about the devastation caused by the disastrous floods in Pakistan.
He said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his address at the high-level debate on the issues of global peace and security, particularly mentioned “Pakistan” thrice” to highlight the worrisome situation caused by the climate change-induced floods.
He said the UN chief also talked about showing solidarity with flood-hit Pakistan. However, this solidarity needed to be turned into actions, he added.
Asked whether the Kashmir issue, besides floods, would also be part of his speech at the UNGA, the prime minister replied “why not.”
Saad Rafique reviews performance of dry ports
LAHORE, Sep 20 (APP): Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review performance of railways’ dry ports.
The meeting decided to send evaluation reports of all ports to the ministry for promotion of trade and increasing revenue.
It also decided to reserve funds for detailed survey and improving track fitness of Quetta-Zahedan section for reducing its turn around time, besides posting a dedicated team for Quetta-Zahedan freight operations.
The meeting further decided to repair damages caused by floods at Sibi-Harnai section and early completion of incomplete track.
It was decided to request for delivery of new coaches before time in view of facilitating masses.
Palestinian medical team organizes free medical camp for flood affectees in Kulachi
D.I.KHAN, Sep 20 (APP): A team of doctors and paramadics from Palestine held a free medical camp under the supervision of Tehsil administration here in flood affected areas of Kulachi Tehsil on Tuesday.
District Health Officer (DHO) Mehmood Jan told APP that the camp was organized in line with the directions of Deputy Commissioner Nasrullah Khan.
He said six doctors and four paramadics from Palestine provided free medical check up and treatment facilities to flood-affected people in the camp.
He informed that more than 1000 patients including women and children were provided with medical relief and free medicines in the camp.
PM meets Iranian President; underscores commitment to enhance bilateral ties
NEW YORK, Sept 20 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday met with President of Iran, Seyed Ebrahim Raisi here on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The Prime Minister recalled his warm and cordial meeting with President Raisi on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Samarkand on 15 September 2022 and underscored his commitment to enhance Pakistan-Iran relations in diverse fields.
He reiterated his gratitude to President Raisi and to the people of Iran for their solidarity and support with the Pakistani nation in the wake of massive floods.
During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to further deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation across a broad range of areas including economic and trade, energy and connectivity, cultural contacts, and people-to-people links.
The Prime Minister conveyed that Pakistan highly valued the Supreme Leader’s strong and steadfast support for the just struggle of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The Prime Minister hoped that, on the invitation extended by him, President Raisi would be able to undertake an early visit to Pakistan.
