ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday attended a panel discussion as part of his World Economic Forum engagements in Riyadh, where he highlighted “global inequity” as a major problem in addressing health care needs around the world.
Sharif made the remarks while speaking at a panel discussion, titled “Redefining Global Health Agenda,” during a special two-day meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Saudi capital.
The prime minister spoke about a number of health care issues and recounted to the attendees how the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed health care “imbalances” across the world.
“Today, I think the first and foremost problem is global inequity,” he said. “Now look at COVID, it exposed these imbalances, gaps hugely. Imagine, global north and global south distribution of vaccines and so on and so forth.”
The prime minister highlighted climate change as another major factor affecting health care in the world, explaining the devastation caused in Pakistan by climate-induced floods in 2022.
“Pakistan does not contribute even a fraction of emissions yet we are on the red list of climate change and in 2022, we experienced the worst climate change floods in Pakistan, devastating everything from hostels, schools, lands, agriculture, everything,” he noted.
“And we had to invest hundreds of billions of rupees to rehabilitate people, but when it came to the question of seeking funds from abroad, those were loans, expensive loans.”
Sharif questioned how could a developing country afford such expensive loans to rehabilitate people who were affected by a crisis they did not contribute to.
The Pakistan prime minister arrived in Riyadh on Saturday to attend the WEF meeting on global collaboration, growth and energy. He was extended an invitation to attend the meeting by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Professor Klaus Schwab, the WEF executive chairman.
“PM Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation will present Pakistan’s priorities in global health, fintech, climate change, inclusive energy and rejuvenating growth,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement on X.
The PMO said Sharif will also meet Kuwait’s emir, Meshal Al Ahmed Al Jabr, and Saudi ministers of finance, industry and investment separately.
“The Prime Minister will also meet the Co-Chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and the President of the Islamic Development Bank,” the PMO said.
Prior to Sharif’s departure, the PM Office said he would be accompanied by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
It said Sharif’s participation in the forum will afford Pakistan an opportunity to highlight its priorities in global health architecture, inclusive growth, revitalizing regional collaboration, and the need for striking a balance between promoting growth and energy consumption.
SHARIF, ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK PRESIDENT DISCUSS ONGOING PROJECTS
Sharif met Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, the president of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) during the sidelines of the WEF meeting to discuss the bank’s ongoing projects in the country.
The two sides reviewed the current progress of IDB’s projects in Pakistan. Sharif thanked the IDB president for the bank’s investment of $1 billion in Pakistan during his tenure, the PMO said.
The Pakistani prime minister thanked the ADB president for the bank’s financial support during the devastating 2022 floods in Pakistan.
“Both sides agreed to complete the IDB’s ongoing projects in Pakistan as soon as possible,” the PMO said. “Both exchanged views on finding new ways to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and the IDB.”
Sharif will also attend the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on May 4-5 in the Gambian capital of Banjul to discuss a variety of regional and global issues, including Palestine, Islamophobia, climate change and the status of minorities, the Pakistani state-run APP news agency reported.
The session will be held under the slogan “Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development,” according to a press release issued by the OIC General Secretariat.
The Islamic Summit is a principal organ of the OIC focused on the formulation, development, and implementation of decisions made by 57 member states. It is attended by concerned heads of state such as prime ministers, presidents, emirs and other equivalent heads.
At WEF session in Riyadh, Pakistan PM highlights ‘global inequity’ in health care
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At WEF session in Riyadh, Pakistan PM highlights ‘global inequity’ in health care
- Shehbaz Sharif cites the example of COVID-19 pandemic, distribution of vaccines in global north and south
- The Pakistan PM is in Riyadh to attend a two-day World Economic Forum meeting on global growth and energy
After shock defeat, Pakistan face Ireland in second T20I today in Dublin
- Ireland dealt massive blow to Pakistan on Friday when it beat visitors by five wickets
- Fast bowler Mohammad Amir expected to feature in today’s match against Ireland
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan cricket team will have its hands full with a confident Ireland squad today, Sunday, when it takes the field against the minnows for the second T20I of the series after suffering a shock defeat on Friday.
Ireland beat Pakistan for the first time in a T20I fixture in the series opener on Friday, courtesy of a heroic 77-run knock by Andy Balbirnie that helped the home side win by five wickets against Babar Azam’s squad.
The defeat was a blow for the South Asian squad as it prepares for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled to take place from June 2 in the United States and West Indies, by playing separate cricket series against Ireland and England.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Dublin on Saturday to hold meetings with the team to boost their morale ahead of the second T20I.
“Immediately after arriving, he [Naqvi] held meetings with the team captain and coach,” the PCB said in a statement on Saturday. “He will also meet the team later today.”
Pakistan are most likely to play left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir in the playing XI against Ireland today. The bowler could not play the first T20I against Ireland as he arrived in the country on Friday due to visa delays.
After the Ireland series, Pakistan will travel to England to play a four-match series against the home side from May 22-30 in Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff and London before departing for the US for the mega event.
Pakistan will begin their World Cup campaign against the United States on June 6 before taking on arch-rivals India in a high-octane clash on June 9 in New York.
Squads:
Ireland: Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir (unavailable for first T20I), Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan
Pakistan deputy PM to head to China on Monday for talks on trade, economic cooperation
- Deputy PM Ishaq Dar to co-chair strategic dialogue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, says state media
- Beijing has been one of Islamabad’s most reliable partners in recent years, providing financial aid to its fragile economy
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will leave for China next week to hold important discussions on bilateral trade, cooperation and upgradation of multi-billion-dollar infrastructure corridor, state-run media reported on Sunday.
Beijing has been one of Islamabad’s most reliable foreign partners in recent years, readily providing financial assistance to bail out its often-struggling neighbor. In July last year, China granted Pakistan a two-year rollover on a $2.4 billion loan, giving the debt-saddled nation much-needed breathing space as it tackled a balance-of-payments crisis.
Dar will leave for Beijing on Monday for a four-day official trip during which he would also co-chair the 5th Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
“The two sides will comprehensively review Pakistan-China bilateral relations including economic and trade cooperation, high-level exchanges and visits; upgradation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and future connectivity initiatives,” the state-run Radio Pakistan said.
China has invested over $65 billion in energy and infrastructure projects as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The project is part of President Xi Jinping’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. CPEC is designed to provide China with a shorter and safer trading route to the Middle East and beyond through Pakistan.
Since its initiation in 2013, CPEC has seen tens of billions of dollars funneled into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects. But the undertaking has also been hit by Pakistan struggling to keep up its financial obligations as well as attacks on Chinese targets by militants.
“They will also exchange views on the unfolding regional geopolitical landscape and bilateral cooperation at the multilateral fora,” the state-run media reported.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Dar’s visit to the country reflects the importance the two countries attach to deepening their “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.”
Dar’s visit to China takes place in the backdrop of Pakistan’s moves to seek foreign investment from its allies as it tries to navigate an economic crisis that has seen its reserves dip to low levels and its currency weaken against the dollar.
Islamabad has seen visits by diplomatic and business delegations from Saudi Arabia, Japan and Uzbekistan in recent weeks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to ensure an enabling business environment in Pakistan for foreign investors and traders.
Pakistan praises Saudi Arabia’s use of technology to enhance pilgrim experience with ‘flying taxis’
- Saudi authorities have announced plans to test ‘flying taxis and drones’ during this year’s Hajj season
- Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry says the kingdom has consistently increased its use of technology
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry on Saturday applauded Saudi Arabia for using advanced technology to improve the pilgrimage experience for Muslims, the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported, after the kingdom announced its plan to test “flying taxis and drones” during this Hajj season.
Saudi Minister for Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser spoke earlier this week about intense competition among transportation companies in the kingdom to provide the best traveling means to people. Previously, he also said the flying taxis and drones would be tested during Hajj to provide pilgrims with maximum comfort.
According to some reports, the Saudi Airlines was also considering plans to operate flying taxis to ferry Hajj pilgrims from the Jeddah airport to their hotels in Makkah.
“Saudi Arabia’s commitment to modernizing the pilgrimage experience through innovative technology demonstrates their dedication to ensuring pilgrims’ comfort and convenience,” Muhammad Umar, the spokesperson for Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry, said.
Umar, who has remained closely involved in his country’s Hajj operations since 2009, also mentioned how the Saudi authorities had introduced various mobile applications to help pilgrims.
“I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and efforts of the Saudi government in facilitating the sacred journey of millions of pilgrims,” he added.
He also highlighted significant improvements in crowd management and the provision of enhanced facilities to pilgrims by Saudi authorities over the years.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime, if they are financially and physically able.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry. Of them, 63,805 pilgrims will be performing the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest would be accommodated by private tour operators.
UN Security Council seeks inquiry into mass graves in Gaza
- Council members express oncern over reports of mass graves in and around Nasser and Al-Shifa medical facilities in Gaza
- Security Council statement did not say who would conduct the investigations into reports of mass graves in Palestine
NEW YORK: The UN Security Council has called for an immediate and independent investigation into mass graves allegedly containing hundreds of bodies near hospitals in Gaza.
In a statement, members of the council expressed their “deep concern over reports of the discovery of mass graves, in and around the Nasser and Al-Shifa medical facilities in Gaza, where several hundred bodies, including women, children and older persons, were buried.”
The members stressed the need for “accountability” for any violations of international law.
They called on investigators to be given “unimpeded access to all locations of mass graves in Gaza to conduct immediate, independent, thorough, comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigations.”
FASTFACT
The World Health Organization said in April that Al-Shifa, in Gaza City, had been reduced to an ‘empty shell,’ with many bodies found in the area.
Hospitals in the Gaza Strip have been repeatedly targeted since the beginning of the Israeli military operation in the Palestinian territory following the October 7 attack on southern Israel by Gaza-based Hamas militants.
The World Health Organization said in April that Al-Shifa, in Gaza City, had been reduced to an “empty shell,” with many bodies found in the area.
The Israeli army has said around 200 Palestinians were killed during its military operations there.
Bodies have reportedly been found buried in two graves in the hospital’s courtyard.
The UN rights office in late April had called for an independent investigation into reports of mass graves at Al-Shifa and the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis.
Gaza officials said at the time that health workers at the Nasser complex had uncovered hundreds of bodies of Palestinians they alleged had been killed and buried by Israeli forces.
Israel’s army has dismissed the claims as “baseless and unfounded.”
The statement on Friday from the Security Council did not say who would conduct the investigations.
But it “reaffirmed the importance of allowing families to know the fate and whereabouts of their missing relatives, consistent with international humanitarian law.”
Israel’s offensive has killed at least 34,943 people in the Gaza Strip, primarily women and children, the Health Ministry in the territory said.
IMF team to arrive in Pakistan in coming week for talks on ‘next phase of engagement’
- Esther Perez Ruiz says IMF encourages better governance, wants to help with inclusive economic growth
- She says IMF mission team will be led by Nathan Porter and hold meetings with the Pakistani authorities
KARACHI: The top International Monetary Fund (IMF) official in Pakistan confirmed on Saturday the global lending agency will send a delegation to Islamabad next week to discuss the “next phase of engagement” with the government that has publicly expressed its interest in securing a larger and longer-term loan.
Last month, the country’s finance minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, told a media briefing Pakistan was hoping to reach a staff-level agreement with the IMF for a new loan “by June or early July.”
His statement came at a time when the country’s short-term IMF loan program of $3 billion was about to expire after its successful completion.
However, he did not elaborate much on the government’s preference for the size and duration of the next loan facility, saying these issues would be discussed during negotiations with the IMF team.
“A mission team led by Nathan Porter, IMF’s Mission Chief to Pakistan, will meet with authorities next week to discuss the next phase of engagement,” Esther Perez Ruiz, IMF Resident Representative for Pakistan, told Arab News in response to a query.
“The aim is to lay the foundation for better governance and stronger, more inclusive, and resilient economic growth that will benefit all Pakistanis,” she added.
Some Pakistani media outlets recently reported that an IMF team was already visiting the country to discuss the bailout program under the Extended Fund Facility.
However, the IMF statement clarifies its mission is yet to arrive in Islamabad for negotiations.
