Samarkand: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for devising a sustainable plan to mitigate adverse impacts of climate change to save future generations. Addressing annual meeting of Council of Heads of State of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Samarkand, Uzbekistan he appealed SCO members to stand up and build a wall against threat of climate change. He said devastating flood, cloud outbursts and unprecedented rains are result of climate change. He said due to this climate change Pakistan faced devastation which has displaced millions of people besides killing fourteen hundred people including four hundred children. Shehbaz Sharif said calamity has damaged houses of people as well as washed out crops. He said people are also facing diseases in flood-hit areas. He expressed hope that country will overcome situation.

He expressed gratitude to members of SCO who supported Pakistan in this hour of need. Talking about situation in Afghanistan, he said peace in Afghanistan will ensure peace in Pakistan and region. He said we need to collectively work to support all good initiatives in Afghanistan for its people. He said ignoring Afghanistan this time around will be a great mistake.

Shehbaz Sharif said strengthening Afghanistan in security and counter-terrorism domain should run parallel to SCO’s support to Afghan people in socio-economic arenas. He urged international community to support efforts to build sustainable Afghan economy and unfreeze its financial assets. Pakistan has been victim of terrorism itself and country has paid huge sacrifices in defeating terrorism. He urged members of SCO to join hands together in fighting against menace of terrorism, extremism and separatism.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 17 2022

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