PM Shehbaz appreciates EU’s assistance in the wake of climate-induced massive floods in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Oct 04 (SABAH): Janez Lenari, European Commissioner for the Crisis Management called on Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday.

While welcoming Janez Lenari, Prime Ministers Shehbaz Sharif stated that Pakistan greatly values its relationship with the European Union that are based on shared values and common objectives of peace, prosperity and development. The Prime Minister appreciated the EU’s assistance in the wake of climate-induced massive floods in Pakistan. He also shared the details of the devastation caused by the floods to crops, housing, livestock and critical infrastructure, as well as death of more than sixteen hundred people.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underlined that Pakistan while being a most negligible contributor to global carbon emissions was amongst the most vulnerable countries to the impact of climate change. He expressed hope that the international community would step up its efforts to mitigate the negative consequences of the floods, through active participation in rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also underlined the efforts undertaken by the government, which include humanitarian response for the people in the affected areas, including establishing Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund-2022, for providing relief and rehabilitation to the affectees of torrential rains. The Fund accepts donations/contributions both from domestic and international sources. Expressing satisfaction at the high-level engagement between the two sides, the Prime Minister expressed hope that both sides would continue to work together to further enhance their bilateral trade and investment ties, so as to benefit from the GSP Plus Scheme, post 2023.