ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke to Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa on Wednesday to request “high-level participation” from the kingdom for an upcoming United Nations conference that aims to garner humanitarian aid for flood-affected Pakistan. 

Unusually heavy rains in mid-June killed over 1,700 people in Pakistan and damaged critical infrastructure in the country. Over 33 million people were affected by the deluges which, at one point in time, caused at least one-third of Pakistan to remain underwater. Pakistan estimates damages from the floods to be over $30 billion.

Pakistan will co-chair the conference in Geneva on January 9, 2023, titled ‘International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan’. It aims to garner humanitarian aid for the South Asian country in its rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts after the floods.

“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday apprised King of the Kingdom of Bahrain Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa of the ‘International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan’, to be held in Geneva on 9 January next year, and requested a high-level participation from Bahrain,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.

Al Khalifa expressed “firm support” for Pakistan’s initiatives to rehabilitate its people and carry out reconstruction in the flood-ravaged areas during the telephonic conversation, APP said.

PM Sharif highlighted the importance Pakistan attached to its historical and cordial ties with the Kingdom of Bahrain, the state-run agency said, adding that Al Thani reciprocated Sharif’s sentiments.

“The two leaders agreed to maintain close contact and work together on all issues of mutual interest,” it said.