ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday said the world reposed trust in Pakistan and pledged worth over $9 billion in flood aid despite indiscriminate propaganda by the rivals — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Addressing the media after a "highly successful" donors' conference in Geneva alongside his cabinet members, the premier said the government would continue to help the people affected by cataclysmic floods till their complete rehabilitation. “At the conference, pledges worth $9.7 billion were announced for the Pakistan flood victims,” the PM said, congratulating his federal ministers for the hard work they and their teams put in before this critical conference.

“Islamic Development Bank promised $4.2 billion, World Bank $2 billion, Saudi Arab $1 billion, Asian Infrastructure Development Bank $1 billion, Asian Development Bank $500 million, USAID $100 million, China $100 million, Italy €23 million, Japan $77 million, Qatar $25 million, UK £36 million, and France $10 million,” the prime minister said. The premier said that the world reposed trust in Pakistan despite the worst propaganda against the government, crediting his team for the success.

“The ball is now in our court. We now have to transparently spend every single penny on the people’s prosperity.” He said the presence of the representatives of all the provinces at the conference sent the message to the world that "we are united".

“The global community showed confidence in the coalition government of Pakistan.” The prime minister hailed Saudi Crown Prince Mohamad Bin Salman for his continuous assistance to Pakistan and generous support.

"The perception created by some people that the country is alone was busted as both the superpowers were standing right and left," he added.

When asked about the conditions of these funds pledges at the conference, the prime minister said IDB's terms will be soft. Slamming the provincial governments for failing to handle the flour crisis, the prime minister said wheat stocks were enough to meet the demands of the country but the local authorities couldn't manage the situation. "We were not sitting idle. This is a provincial matter and they should answer for this." He also rubbished the claim that the top functionaries of the provinces where the PTI is ruling were ignored by the PDM government.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 12 2023

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