ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday attended a panel discussion as part of his World Economic Forum engagements in Riyadh, where he highlighted “global inequity” as a major problem in addressing health care needs around the world.
Sharif made the remarks while speaking at a panel discussion, titled “Redefining Global Health Agenda,” during a special two-day meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Saudi capital.
The prime minister spoke about a number of health care issues and recounted to the attendees how the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed health care “imbalances” across the world.
“Today, I think the first and foremost problem is global inequity,” he said. “Now look at COVID, it exposed these imbalances, gaps hugely. Imagine, global north and global south distribution of vaccines and so on and so forth.”
The prime minister highlighted climate change as another major factor affecting health care in the world, explaining the devastation caused in Pakistan by climate-induced floods in 2022.
“Pakistan does not contribute even a fraction of emissions yet we are on the red list of climate change and in 2022, we experienced the worst climate change floods in Pakistan, devastating everything from hostels, schools, lands, agriculture, everything,” he noted.
“And we had to invest hundreds of billions of rupees to rehabilitate people, but when it came to the question of seeking funds from abroad, those were loans, expensive loans.”
Sharif questioned how could a developing country afford such expensive loans to rehabilitate people who were affected by a crisis they did not contribute to.
The Pakistan prime minister arrived in Riyadh on Saturday to attend the WEF meeting on global collaboration, growth and energy. He was extended an invitation to attend the meeting by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Professor Klaus Schwab, the WEF executive chairman.
“PM Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation will present Pakistan’s priorities in global health, fintech, climate change, inclusive energy and rejuvenating growth,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement on X.
The PMO said Sharif will also meet Kuwait’s emir, Meshal Al Ahmed Al Jabr, and Saudi ministers of finance, industry and investment separately.
“The Prime Minister will also meet the Co-Chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and the President of the Islamic Development Bank,” the PMO said.
Prior to Sharif’s departure, the PM Office said he would be accompanied by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
It said Sharif’s participation in the forum will afford Pakistan an opportunity to highlight its priorities in global health architecture, inclusive growth, revitalizing regional collaboration, and the need for striking a balance between promoting growth and energy consumption.
SHARIF, ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK PRESIDENT DISCUSS ONGOING PROJECTS
Sharif met Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, the president of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) during the sidelines of the WEF meeting to discuss the bank’s ongoing projects in the country.
The two sides reviewed the current progress of IDB’s projects in Pakistan. Sharif thanked the IDB president for the bank’s investment of $1 billion in Pakistan during his tenure, the PMO said.
The Pakistani prime minister thanked the ADB president for the bank’s financial support during the devastating 2022 floods in Pakistan.
“Both sides agreed to complete the IDB’s ongoing projects in Pakistan as soon as possible,” the PMO said. “Both exchanged views on finding new ways to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and the IDB.”
Sharif will also attend the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on May 4-5 in the Gambian capital of Banjul to discuss a variety of regional and global issues, including Palestine, Islamophobia, climate change and the status of minorities, the Pakistani state-run APP news agency reported.
The session will be held under the slogan “Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development,” according to a press release issued by the OIC General Secretariat.
The Islamic Summit is a principal organ of the OIC focused on the formulation, development, and implementation of decisions made by 57 member states. It is attended by concerned heads of state such as prime ministers, presidents, emirs and other equivalent heads.
At WEF session in Riyadh, Pakistan PM highlights ‘global inequity’ in health care
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At WEF session in Riyadh, Pakistan PM highlights ‘global inequity’ in health care
- Shehbaz Sharif cites the example of COVID-19 pandemic, distribution of vaccines in global north and south
- The Pakistan PM is in Riyadh to attend a two-day World Economic Forum meeting on global growth and energy
Pakistan president urges settlement of Azad Kashmir price hike issue through ‘dialogue’
- The remarks came during President Asif Ali Zardari’s meeting with members of the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly
- On Saturday, clashes erupted in the territory between police and protesters demanding cheaper wheat flour, electricity
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday urged all stakeholders to exercise restraint and resolve the price hike issue in Azad Kashmir through “dialogue and mutual consultation,” Pakistani state media reported, amid protests in the territory for subsidized wheat flour and cheaper electricity.
The Pakistan president said this during his meeting with a delegation of members of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly, who belonged to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.
The statement came a day after clashes erupted between police and supporters of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in various parts of the territory, resulting in the killing of a police officer and injuries to 90 others on both sides, according to officials.
The protests turned violent when police attempted to stop a rally headed for Azad Kashmir’s capital of Muzaffarabad from Kotli and Poonch districts. The protesters are demanding electricity as per hydropower generation cost in Azad Kashmir, subsidized wheat flour, and an end to privileges enjoyed by the elite.
“The President said political parties, state institutions and the people of AJK should act responsibly so that hostile elements could not exploit the situation to their benefit,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“The President highlighted that the demands of the people of AJK should be addressed as per law. He said that he would take up the grievances of the people of AJK with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to find a way out of the current situation.”
The Himalayan territory of Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from Britain in 1947. Both countries rule part of the territory, but claim it in full and have fought three wars over the disputed region.
Sharif earlier said peaceful protests were a democratic right, but there should be “no tolerance” for violence, adding that he was “deeply concerned” over the situation in Azad Kashmir.
“Unfortunately, in situations of chaos and dissent there are always some who rush in to score political points,” he said on X. “While debate, discussion and peaceful protests are the beauties of democracy, there should be absolutely no tolerance for taking the law in one’s own hands and damaging government properties.”
The western portion of the larger Kashmir region is administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing entity, where the protesters have been calling for subsidy on wheat flour and electricity among other demands.
Pakistan last year narrowly avoided a default on the payment of foreign debts when the International Monetary Fund and several friendly nations came to its rescue by giving it loans.
Pakistan’s monthly inflation rate at one point reached over 40 percent, but authorities say it has come down to 17 percent ahead of talks with the IMF for a new bailout. Islamabad plans to get at least $6 billion from the lender when it reaches a deal expected in the coming months.
Pakistan defeat Ireland to level T20 series
- Ireland made a dynamic start after being put into bat as the hosts blasted 29 runs in the first three overs
- But Shaheen Shah Afridi put the brakes on Ireland’s assault, dismissing the opening pair in the fourth over
LONDON: Pakistan beat Ireland by seven wickets in the second Twenty20 international in Dublin on Sunday to set up a deciding showdown in the three-match series.
Ireland made a dynamic start after being put into bat as the hosts blasted 29 runs in the first three overs.
But Shaheen Shah Afridi put the brakes on Ireland’s assault, dismissing opening pair Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie in the fourth over.
Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector (32) put on 62 for the third wicket, with the former scoring 51 in 34 deliveries.
Curtis Campher (22) and George Dockrell (15) boosted the score before Gareth Delany’s 28 off 10 balls helped the hosts post 193 for seven.
Pakistan spluttered at the start of their chase as Saim Ayub was caught in the first over and skipper Babar Azam nicked Graham Hume behind to depart for a duck in the second.
But Ireland’s hopes of sealing a famous series win with a game to spare were dashed as Mohammad Rizwan (75 not out) and Fakhar Zaman (78) put on a stunning 140-run partnership.
Azam Khan added 30 from 10 balls to take Pakistan home with 3.1 overs unused.
Ireland had claimed their first ever T20 victory against Pakistan in the series opener on Friday, winning by five wickets with one ball to spare.
Pakistan will also face Ireland in the group stage of next month’s T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies.
Former Pakistan finance minister announces forming new party ending months of speculation
- Miftah Ismail, who took tough decisions for resumption of Pakistan’s stalled $6 billion IMF bailout, was forced to step down in 2022
- Former minister says they are forming a party based on ‘ideas and not personalities,’ with women and young people as part of leadership
ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan finance minister, Miftah Ismail, on Sunday announced forming a new political party that would be “internally democratic” and would speak for the “aspirations of all Pakistanis.”
Ismail, who took tough decisions for the resumption of the country’s stalled $6 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, was forced to step down in September 2022 by the former coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and with Ishaq Dar.
The former minister, along with other dissident politicians belonging to the then ruling coalition, kicked off a nationwide debate called “Reimagining Pakistan” in 2023, taking up a wide range of issues for discussion while expressing regret they were not adequately addressed earlier.
For the last several months, speculation had been rife that the former finance minister was planning to launch a new political group, which could be joined by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and ex-senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokar.
On Sunday, Ismail said they were forming a party based on “ideas and not personalities,” with women and young people as part of the leadership team.
“We are forming a different kind of party... a party that has professionals of integrity, competence and intellectual honesty, a party that belongs not to a province or a city but to the whole nation, a party that will constitutionally mandate term limits for its leaders, be internally democratic, and would never consider any individual or family to be indispensable,” he said on X.
“Most importantly, a party that speaks for the hopes and aspirations of all Pakistanis.”
In an op-ed written for the English-language daily The News on Saturday, Ismail said for the first time ever, they were not just apprehensive but frightened about the future of Pakistan.
“Daily survival is getting harder and harder for our people, our already ineffective governance is getting even worse, and our nation is drifting backward as the rest of the world is marching forward,” he wrote.
“We are fast reaching the point of no return – and it is imperative we take a hard look at our ineffective governance that has failed our people. We need to radically restructure our governance so that we can finally give hope and opportunity to all our people.”
Pakistan has for months been faced with low foreign exchange reserves, currency devaluation and high inflation. The South Asian country last month completed a short-term $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, which helped stave off a sovereign default, but the incumbent government of PM Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the need for a fresh, longer-term program.
Pakistan and the IMF are expected to begin formal talks next week, with Islamabad saying it expects a staff-level agreement by July. Though both Pakistani and IMF officials have refrained from commenting on the size of the program, the South Asian nation is expected to seek around $7 billion bailout from the global lender.
PM announces Rs1 mln for each player as Pakistan hockey team returns home to hero’s welcome
- Pakistan on Saturday won the silver medal after reaching the Azlan Shah Hockey Cup final in Malaysia
- The feat has rekindled hopes of Pakistan hockey renaissance after decades of dormancy in national game
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced Rs1 million ($3,599) for each member of the Pakistan hockey team that clinched the silver medal in the Azlan Shah Hockey Cup in Malaysia.
The announcement came shortly after the Pakistan team arrived in the eastern city of Lahore to a hero’s welcome on Sunday, where they were welcomed by Rana Mashhood, chairman of chairman of PM’s Youth Program, and hundreds of jubilant Pakistanis.
Japan defeated Pakistan in a penalty shootout after a tense 2-2 draw in Ipoh on Saturday in a dramatic conclusion to the 2024 Azlan Shah Hockey Cup final. Pakistan reached the tournament’s final for the first time since 2011 following a series of stellar performances.
In a post on Facebook, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) thanked PM Sharif for his generous support and encouragement toward the national heroes.
“Thanks to the PM’s announcement of 18 million PKR (1 million cash for each player), for our Silver medalist Pakistan Hockey Team at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup feels honored and appreciated for their hard work and dedication,” the PHF said.
“This gesture not only acknowledges their exceptional performance but also serves as a motivating force for them to continue striving for excellence on the international stage!“
Six teams participated in the event, including the tournament Malaysia, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Canada.
Pakistan have won the Azlan Shah Cup title three times in the past and stood the second runners-up in the last edition that was also held in Malaysia two years ago.
Pakistan’s feat at the Azlan Shah Cup has rekindled hopes of a hockey renaissance after decades of dormancy in the national game.
Pakistan PM says ‘no tolerance’ for violence amid Azad Kashmir protests over price hikes
- Clashes erupted in parts of Azad Kashmir Saturday as protesters demanded cheaper wheat flour, electricity
- The violence resulted in the killing of a police officer and injuries to 90 others on both sides, officials say
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday peaceful protests were a democratic right, but there should be “no tolerance” for violence, amid protests in Azad Kashmir for subsidized wheat flour and cheaper electricity.
The statement came a day after clashes erupted between police and supporters of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in various parts of the territory, resulting in the killing of a police officer and injuries to 90 others on both sides, according to officials.
The protests turned violent when police attempted to stop a rally headed for the Azad Kashmir capital of Muzaffarabad from Kotli and Poonch districts. The protesters are demanding electricity as per hydropower generation cost in Azad Kashmir, subsidized wheat flour, and an end to privileges enjoyed by the elite.
In his message on X, PM Sharif said he was “deeply concerned” over the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and had asked AJK PM Anwar-ul-Haq to hold talks with the protesters.
“Unfortunately, in situations of chaos and dissent there are always some who rush in to score political points,” he said. “While debate, discussion and peaceful protests are the beauties of democracy, there should be absolutely no tolerance for taking the law in one’s own hands and damaging government properties.”
Sharif urged all parties to resort to peaceful course of action for the resolution of their demands. “Despite best efforts of detractors, the matter will hopefully be settled soon,” he said.
Separately, the Azad Kashmir government on Sunday invited protesters for talks.
“The situation is currently peaceful and under control, and we are trying to settle issues through talks,” Abdul Majid Khan, a spokesperson of the Azad Kashmir government who is also its finance minister, told Arab News.
“We have invited the action committee to come and sit with us for dialogue on all their demands.”
Khan warned that no one would be allowed to take the law into their hands, emphasizing the government had exercised “significant restraint.”
He noted the government was providing wheat in Azad Kashmir at Rs3,100 [$11.16] per 40kg, which was already heavily subsidized and cheaper than in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province, the main producer of the crop in the South Asian country.
The Himalayan territory of Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from Britain in 1947. Both countries rule part of the territory, but claim it in full and have fought three wars over the disputed region.
The western portion of the larger Kashmir region is administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing entity.
Pakistan last year narrowly avoided a default on the payment of foreign debts when the International Monetary Fund and several friendly nations came to its rescue by giving it loans.
Pakistan’s monthly inflation rate at one point reached over 40 percent, but authorities say it had come down to 17 percent ahead of talks with the IMF for a new bailout. Islamabad plans to get at least $6 billion from the lender when it reaches a deal expected in the coming months.
