PM Imran Khan highlights Govt’s efforts in the social sectors, including national health coverage & Sehat cards

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (SABAH): The newly-appointed Executive Director of United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Ms. Catherine M. Russell, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday, during her first visit to Pakistan since assuming this position.

UNICEF’s country programme in Pakistan as well as the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan were discussed during the meeting.

Prime Minister Imran Khan appreciated UNICEF’s key role for promotion and protection of rights of child, including increasing enrollment, upscaling of immunization programs, catering for child malnutrition and stunting, and improving the infrastructure of public education system. The Prime Minister highlighted the Government’s efforts in the social sectors, including national health coverage and Sehat cards.

The Prime Minister also shared Pakistan’s perspective on the humanitarian and economic crises in Afghanistan and the need for constructive engagement by the international community to help address them.

The UNICEF Executive Director appreciated the Government’s cooperation in the fulfillment of its mandate and reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to strengthen its partnership with Pakistan. She lauded the Government’s commitment on enrollment and nutrition, and the universal health coverage initiative.

UNICEF is an important development partner of Pakistan and works closely with the Government on a broad range of issues especially those related to children and women.

Meanwhile Ambassador Redwan Hussien, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday.

Ambassador Hussien, who is on a visit to Islamabad as the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, delivered a formal message to the Prime Minister on behalf of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, including the invitation to visit Ethiopia.

Prime Minister Imran Khan conveyed cordial greetings for Prime Minister Abiy, warmly reciprocated his sentiments of goodwill and friendship, and thanked for the invitation. The Prime Minister underscored that Pakistan highly valued its long-standing ties with Ethiopia and stressed the importance of further increasing trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. The Prime Minister also welcomed Ethiopias decision to open its Embassy in Islamabad while noting that the Governments Engage Africa vision was a manifestation of Pakistans growing emphasis on outreach to the African Continent.

Terming climate change as a shared concern of the two countries, the Prime Minister lauded Ethiopias Green Legacy Initiative while highlighting the success of the Governments 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Programme.

Prime Minister Imran Khan also reiterated his invitation for Prime Minister Abiy and said that the people of Pakistan looked forward to welcome him at his earliest convenience.