Pakistan paying the heaviest price of Climate Change: Masood Khan

WASHINGTON, Oct 11 (SABAH): Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan has said that Pakistan was paying the heaviest price of the phenomenon of Climate Change.

Despite its less than 1% contribution in planet warming gases, Pakistan was among the top 10 most vulnerable countries of climate change, Pak top envoy observed.

Pakistan’s top envoy made these remarks while addressing an event organized by Muslim Response USA in Virginia. The event was arranged to raise awareness and garner support for the flood affectees in Pakistan. The event was attended by members of Pak community, philanthropists and people belonging to various walks of life.

Muslim Response USA is a renowned humanitarian organization working in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other countries of Middle East and Africa. It is a non-governmental organization working to alleviate the suffering of extremely poor and vulnerable populations, especially women and children by delivering humanitarian assistance.

President & CEO of Muslim Response USA in his remarks said that the event was being organized to encourage affluent and well-to-do families to generously contribute towards providing relief to the flood affected population in Pakistan. In addition, it was being held to recognize and appreciate valuable contribution and generous support of all those who have been at the forefront in supporting the mission of the organization.

Ambassador Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan appreciated the leadership of Muslim Response USA for organizing the event to highlight sufferings and the needs of flood affected population in Pakistan. This spirit of service and empathy towards people in distress was a true characteristic of Pakistani society, he remarked.

Highlighting the huge damage caused by floods in Pakistan, the Ambassador said that the unprecedented floods were due to the phenomenon of erratic Climate Change. He said that forest fires were followed by unbearable temperature rise in summer that led to melting of glaciers. He said that 33 million population were affected by the recent floods with millions still suffering the impacts of the calamity.

The Ambassador lauded generous contributions of US philanthropists especially members of Pak diaspora. He said that Pak community in the United States was a real asset of Pakistan who have always been forthcoming in helping their Pakistani brethren at a time of need. This community, he said, was serving as a bridge between Pakistan and the United States.

The Ambassador said that despite current difficulties, the future of Pakistan was bright. He said that tech savvy young population of the country would steer Pakistan towards progress. Referring to recent developments and progress made especially in the tech sector, the Ambassador urged US investors and business community to invest in Pakistan leading to greater economic activity and creation of job opportunities for the youth of Pakistan. He said that successful business ventures of 80 US multinational companies which were providing job opportunities to around 1,25,000 skilled workforce was a testimony of Pakistan as an attractive and profitable business destination. He said that Pakistan’s unique location can help business community and investors take advantage of a huge market of Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa.

Muslim Response USA presented a shield to the Ambassador in recognition of his services for the community and promoting Pak-US relations.