Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the world’s response to the flood devastation in Pakistan is not enough. While asking for relief in the repayment of debts from rich nations, he told them that the majority of the environmental damage they have inflicted to satisfy their avarice is being felt in Pakistan.
In an interview with Bloomberg TV on Friday, the premier outlined the challenges the country is facing due to catastrophic flood which have displaced more than 33 million people.
“We are among the top ten most vulnerable countries [to climate change],” he said, adding that around 1,500 people had died in the disastrous deluge.
Standing crops on four million acres have been washed away and thousands of houses have been damaged, PM Shehbaz said.
Pakistan has agreed to the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that were “extremely trough,” including tariffs on gasoline and electricity, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“How can the world expect from us to stand on our own two feet until we receive significant relief? It’s just not conceivable,” he declared. “The entire world must support us.”
When asked about debt commitments, the prime minister replied that they had spoken to European and other world leaders “to help us, in the Paris Club, get a moratorium.”
He also said that there was a “yawning gap” between what had been asked and what was available. “All hell will break loose.”
He said that once Paris Clubs grants the moratorium, Pakistan would also speak to China seeking debt relief.
The premier mentioned the conversations he had with numerous international leaders during the discussions he had outside of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
He specifically referred to Antonio Guterres’ most recent visit as UN Secretary-General. He witnessed this catastrophe firsthand.
“Prime Minister, it is amazing,” UN chief exclaimed. “He is a man who has devoted his life to humanitarian causes for many years, and he claimed to have never experienced such a dramatic circumstance.”
He continued by saying that numerous foreign leaders had discussed the destruction in Pakistan. He added that he was “extremely thankful” to US President Joe Biden for raising Pakistan’s suffering, as had Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and French President Emmanuel Macron.
“Many other leaders have talked about and publicly stated that Pakistan now more than ever needs support and assistance. He emphasized the health issues among the displaced flood victims.
“This shows the intents and sincerity of global leaders, but I think it should come very quickly since time is running [out] and we are racing against time.” He added.
“What the world has done is commendable, but it is far from meeting our needs. We can’t do it alone.”
As I continued my interaction with world leaders on day 3 of UNGA Session, there has been a massive outpouring of sympathy & solidarity with Pakistan on flood disaster.Time has come for world to translate this solidarity into concrete action to help Pakistan overcome this crisis.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 23, 2022
The prime minister highlighted that Pakistan could not fund the relief and rehabilitation work by itself. Flood losses are estimated to be at $30 billion, he said.
