ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Switzerland signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Bhurban for promotion of cooperation in the field of disaster management.
The MoU was signed by the visiting Foreign Minister of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis and Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan looks forward to cooperation from Switzerland in getting advance warning system and other facets which secures Pakistan as much as possible from the natural disasters. He pointed out that Pakistan has no contributions to climate change.
Describing his productive negotiations with the Swiss Foreign Minister, the prime minister said Pakistan also desires to promote cooperation with Switzerland in diverse areas including tourism and education.
The prime minister said he was encouraged by the statement of Swiss Foreign Minister that Switzerland will play a friendly and catalyst role to promote peace discussions in the region.
He said Pakistan will encourage Switzerland to play a productive role because his country wants to live in peace and promote prosperity and progress. He added Pakistan wants to invest in its population to alleviate poverty and unemployment by promoting industries, IT and agriculture.
The prime minister said the nation cannot afford tension in this region and waste resources on wars as they have not been of any help in the past. He said Pakistan is absolutely convinced to commit our resources in development. He said the leadership on the other side should feel the same way.
The prime minister stressed that resolution of all disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, was important for lasting peace in this part of the world.
In his remarks on the occasion, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said disaster risk management goes beyond borders and nationalities. He said it is a global responsibility that requires unity and collective action. He said Pakistan and Switzerland will work to raise awareness and protect the lives and livelihoods of the people.
The Swiss Foreign Minister said the MoU is a vital step in strengthening our collaborative efforts against climate change. He said Pakistan has been grappling with the devastating effects of natural disasters, which is a stark reminder of the urgent need for international cooperation to mitigate and manage the risks associated with catastrophes.
He said his country stands ready to support Pakistan in this regard. He said the MoU shows shared determination to strengthen bilateral relationship and to put resources, knowledge and experiences in disaster risk management.
On behalf of @GovtofPakistan, Cn NDMA LtG Inam Haider Malik signed an MoU w/ Swiss Foreign Minister @ignaziocassis b/w ???????? & ???????? to promote cooperation in the field of disasters management. PM Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif witnessed signing ceremony today.
????????????????????@ForeignOfficePk pic.twitter.com/shfSdpqNrW— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) July 8, 2023
