Thursday, 22 September, 2022 I 25 Safar, 1444 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XIII No 84 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition
PM, WB President discuss develoPMent, econoMic groWth g
SHAHBAz dISCUSSIoNS WITH WoRLd LEAdERS FoCUSEd oN CLIMATE, TRAdE
NEW YORK
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staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President of World Bank Group david R. Malpass on Wednesday discussed the World Bank’s ongoing engagement with Pakistan to strengthen its infrastructure, agriculture, rural and urban development, social service, as well as economic growth. Both the dignitaries met here on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly Session. The prime minister appreciated the World Bank’s partnership with Pakistan and informed him about the government’s steps to introduce economic policies focused on strengthening the economy, price stability and
maintaining the sustainability of the external and fiscal sectors. He also highlighted the government’s pressing requirements for additional investment and financial resources from global community to mitigate the devastating impact of climate change on the people and economy of Pakistan. The prime minister apprised him of the devastating impacts of the unprecedented catastrophic floods in Pakistan. He thanked the World Bank Group for repurposing the funds toward flood relief activities and providing US$ 372 million. He underlined that Pakistan made little contribution to climate change, yet it faced the impacts disproportionately. The World Bank president stressed that Pak-
istan must be prioritized for resilient reconstruction through the international community’s collective support. Malpass expressed sympathies and condolences over the loss and destruction caused by floods. He also expressed the World Bank Group’s readiness to support Pakistan in its reconstruction and rehabilitation endeavours. He also committed to the re-purposing of US$ 850 million immediately to help Pakistan with its flood relief efforts. The two sides also agreed to continue working together to strengthen governance and service delivery in Pakistan through institutional reforms. Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif has said his meetings with the world leaders on the sidelines of the 77th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly focused on the need to deal with the threat of climate change and enhance trade partnerships. “In my interactions with the world leaders on the sidelines of UNGA Session, I apprised them of the flood disaster and highlighted the need for a collective action to deal with climate change,” the prime minister tweeted from New York, where he’s gone to attend the summit, on Wednesday. Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s intent to strengthen ties with other countries relating to trade and economy. “I also told them Pakistan is keen to build partnerships in the realms of trade and economy,” he added. According to a new analysis, climate action promised by countries would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 9 percent in this decade — far short of the global goal of cutting emissions by nearly half by 2030.
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Biden urges world community to help Pakistan flood victims UNITED NATIONS staff report
US President Joe Biden made a fervent call for extending help to Pakistan where floods have caused huge devastation in his speech to the UN General Assembly. “Pakistan is still under water, needs help,” the president told the 193-member Assembly in its highlevel debate, when he dealt with the adverse impacts of climate change. The iconic hall of the General Assembly was packed-tocapacity with world leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, when Biden spoke. The floods have killed over
1,500 people and displaced 30 million as the Pakistan government, with the support of the UN and partners, is racing against
time to help the distressed people. In his address, Biden announced over $2.9 billion in new assistance to address global food
insecurity, building on the $6.9 billion in US government assistance to support global food security already committed this year. The compounding impacts of the pandemic, the deepening climate crisis, rising energy and fertilizer costs, and protracted conflicts – including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – had disrupted global supply chains and dramatically increased global food prices, he said. A multi-year drought in the Horn of Africa had created a dire humanitarian emergency, with parts of Somalia at risk of famine for the second time in just over a decade, he added. He also focused on the war in Ukraine.
Sanaullah warns provinces against ‘consequences’ of supporting Imran’s long march ISLAMABAD staff report
Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah has warned the provincial governments against supporting the long march of former prime minister Imran Khan which he claimed would violate the Constitution and there would be consequences of supporting the march. “The Constitution gives power to the federal government and I would ask cabinet and prime minister to use it in case of such situation,” he said while hinting towards imposition of governor’s rule without specifically naming so. Lashing out at the deposed premier for misleading the people and dividing the nation, the minister said that Imran is trying to malign the state institutions. Regarding the law and order situation of the federal capital Islamabad, he said that all are equal before the law and no one will be allowed to take the law into his hands. To a question about legislation related to transgender persons, Rana Sanaullah said that everything should be decided according to the religion which guides us on all matters. “We are Muslims first and everything comes later. We would have to regulate our lives according to Islam and religious scholars would be consulted on this issue.” To a question about the closure of roads in Islamabad, he said that dChowk has been closed due to the protest of farmers. He said that negotiations would be conducted with the leadership of farmers and their demands would be considered. He said that protesting farmers could be provided with an appropriate place to stage their protest. However, he added that they couldn’t be allowed to come to d-Chowk for protest. Strong action would be taken against participants of the PTI long march if they attempt to come towards d-Chowk. The protesters can gather at F-9 park or some other place as the apex court has already provided guidance in this regard. However, he warned, strong action would be taken in case of any attempt to come towards d-Chowk. He criticised Imran Khan’s attitude, saying that no one could negotiate with him as he has an “incredible personality”. Talking about the Toshakhana case against Imran, he said that the ousted premier had been involved in embezzlement and received an amount of around Rs260 million by selling gifts in the market. He criticised the PTI chief for an out-of-court settlement made in a case of over Rs50 billion laundering by the previous government, as there was no clue who had signed this agreement. He said that amount of Rs50 billion of Bahria Town was confiscated which had been transferred against the law and returned against the donation of land for Al-Qadir trust.
PTI to kickstart anti-govt movement from Saturday, says Imran LAHORE staff report
Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday announced start of ‘real freedom movement’ against the coalition government from Saturday. “You have to stand up for law and governance in this country and I need legal fraternity for my country,” said Imran while addressing a lawyers convention in Lahore on Wednesday. The PTI chief said that he will soon give a call for long march to Islamabad, urging the nation and lawyers to support him. “Together we will establish the rule of law in this country and bring real freedom to Pakistan,” he added.
“Whoever threatens you, you counter it by threatening them back and tell them that the Constitution has given me the right to freedom of expression.” The former premier said that a society which does not have rule of law gets destroyed. “Ever since they (the government) came into power after a ‘foreign conspiracy’, the country has been dismantled. What message are we giving to the youth by bringing such people to the power that only small-time thieves get caught here,” he said. The PTI chief said that the current rulers have gotten rid of their corruption cases through NAB law tweaks. “The agencies whose job is to enforce the rule of law are breaking the law. The powerful can do anything in this coun-
try,” he added. He said that in a country where there is no rule of law, the money flows from abroad and hence it does not have an ideology. Imran said that the current government was taking Pakistan to a situation similar to that of Sri Lanka, adding that the country was moving towards big social unrest which had not been seen in the past 50 years. “If we want to get Pakistan out of this quicksand, then we must establish rule of law in the country. Until that happens, our economy will continue to suffer,” he added. Imran said that the difference between rich and poor countries was rule of law.
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