ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that many regions of the world are suffering from climate change and the recent floods in Pakistan have caused widespread destruction across the country, while Pakistan’s share in carbon emissions is less than one percent so Pakistan does not want charity but climate justice.
Addressing a ceremony organized in Islamabad on Thursday to pay tributes to all the stakeholders including international partners for successful climate diplomacy at Sharm-al-Sheikh climate summit, he appreciated the role of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and other government departments that worked continuously for making the world believe that we are seeking climate justice, not charity.
Sharif said they also made the world realize that what has happened to Pakistan can happen with any other nation.
The Prime Minister expressed deep gratitude to all those countries that came to help Pakistan with cash and kind during recent devastating floods. The Prime Minister said the contribution of all the friendly countries was most valuable in this hour of need.
He further said world must realize that Pakistan became the victim of something which has nothing to do with us as our share in Carbon emission is less than one percent.
He highlighted that the unprecedented floods in Pakistan had affected 33 million, left 800 dead, and inflicted around $30 billion loss to the country’s agriculture, industry, infrastructure, and livestock.
He thanked the donor countries, organisations, and local philanthropists for supporting the flood survivors apart from lauding the role of the provincial governments and other government institutions for their efforts towards relief and rehabilitation of victims.
PM Shehbaz added that the “loss and damage fund was like a sleeping beauty for the decade” and for the first time, it was articulated by the team led by the ministers for foreign affairs and climate change.
He said Pakistan had been seeking justice for the loss inflicted by climate change because the country had nothing to do with it except less than 1 per cent contribution to carbon emission.
The prime minister also appreciated the role of diplomats, experts, and other ministries including economic affairs, planning, information, and every citizen who contributed to making the world realise what had happened in Pakistan.
