ISLAMABAD: Despite indiscriminate misinformation from the opponents, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that the world still trusted Pakistan and pledged over $9 billion in flood help (PTI).
The prime minister and the leaders of the coalition parties spoke to the media following the “very successful” donors’ conference in Geneva and pledged that the government would continue to assist those impacted by the devastating floods until they had fully recovered.
The prime minister thanked his federal ministers for their dedication and the work they and their teams put in before this crucial summit, saying that promises totaling $9.7 billion were made for the Pakistan flood victims.
The world bank pledged $2 billion, the Saudis $1 billion, the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank $1 billion, the Asian Development Bank $500 million, USAID $100 million, China $100 million, Italy €23 million, Japan $77 million, Qatar $25 million, the United Kingdom £36 million, and France $10 million, according to the prime minister. The Islamic Development Bank also pledged $4.2 billion.
The prime credited his team for the achievement and claimed that despite the greatest propaganda against the government, the globe continued to place its trust in Pakistan.
“We now have the ball in our court. The prosperity of the people must now be funded entirely publicly.
He claimed that by having representatives from every province present at the meeting, it demonstrated that “we are united” to the outside world.
“The coalition government of Pakistan received support from the international world.”
The Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman has received praise from the Pakistani prime minister for his unceasing support and generosity.
The idea that the nation is isolated, as some have said, was dispelled by the presence of two superpowers, he continued.
The prime minister said that IDB’s criteria would be lax when questioned about the terms of these money guarantees during the conference.
The prime minister criticised the provincial administrations for their inability to control the flour crisis, claiming that there was enough wheat in the country’s inventories to meet demand.
“We weren’t just lying around. They should provide an explanation because this is a provincial concern.”
He also refuted the assertion that the PDM administration overlooked the top officials in the provinces where the PTI is in power.
“Sindh was the province most severely impacted by the floods, followed by Balochistan. The provincial government was represented by the chief secretary.
He added that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Finance Minister Taimur Jhagra was also present at the conference and claimed that while Gilgit-Ghaddar Baltistan’s area was damaged, Azad Jammu and Kashmir did not experience any flooding.
The prime minister stated that the NSC had a thorough discussion about the deteriorating law and order situation in KP.
The federal and provincial governments are tasked with bringing about peace in the nation.
He expressed his gratitude to the UN secretary-general once more for vehemently arguing Pakistan’s case during the Geneva summit.
Shehbaz Sharif revealed that he will be travelling to the UAE tomorrow and that he is optimistic that his trip will assist to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.
“Effective foreign policy”
PM Shehbaz was addressed during the event by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, who said, “Your foreign policy has been successful.”
The premier’s companion at the meeting, Pakistan’s top diplomat, said that the government hit two targets with one shot.
The international community’s backing demonstrated that Pakistan was not as isolated as had been claimed by the PTI and other opponents of the government.
“The world is prepared to invest over $9 billion in Pakistan, and the conference has also buried the impression of the country’s economy.”
The PPP chairman continued, saying that they will now work together to assist flood victims in getting out of their predicament.
According to Bilawal Bhutto, the conflict in Ukraine has caused a catastrophe around the world.
“We still require assistance for humanitarian reasons. In flood-affected areas where people are living outside, a cold wave is anticipated.
He urged people to assist the victims.
The government’s goal is to help the flood-affected population recover and rebuild, the foreign minister reassured them.
“No imminent default”
Ishaq Dar, the minister of finance, stated that the reconstruction phase has a three-year time limit.
He stated that monies for this purpose will also come from the development budgets of the federal and provincial governments.
Ishaq Dar stated that a thorough consultation with the International Monetary Fund had taken place regarding the nation’s economic predicament.
He asserted that there is no default risk for Pakistan and no cause for concern. “All the obligations for the external debt will be paid on time.”