ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Munir Akram has called for the establishment of an independent technocratic government in Sudan to manage the transitional period and urged warring parties to declare a ceasefire, Pakistani state media reported on Friday.
The war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which erupted in April 2023 over disputes regarding the integration of the two forces, has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions and left half of the Sudanese population facing hunger.
The conflict has also triggered waves of ethnically driven violence, largely blamed on the RSF, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. The UN says that nearly two-thirds of Sudan’s population, or more than 30 million people, will need aid this year.
“The appointment of an independent prime minister and formation of an independent national technocratic government to oversee the transitional period could be steps in a positive direction,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency quoted Akram as saying at a meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to discuss the Sudan situation.
“The conflict will not be resolved on the battlefield [and] war will only bring more death and destruction to the Sudanese people.”
Akram condemned the signing of a charter by the RSF and its allies for a parallel governing authority in Sudan.
“Any such external intervention and any scheme that undermines the UN Charter principles will further complicate the conflict, prevent an early solution and further undermine regional and international peace and security,” he said.
The Pakistan envoy urged warring parties in Sudan to abide by the international humanitarian law and facilitate humanitarian assistance in the affected areas.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Catherine Russell said the Sudanese children were enduring “unimaginable suffering and horrific violence,” calling for an immediate end to the conflict.
“This is not just a crisis, it is a poly-crisis affecting every sector, from health and nutrition to water, education and protection,” she said.
“I met with families and children who are living through this nightmare. Their stories are heartbreaking – and demand immediate action.”
At UNSC, Pakistan calls for ceasefire, technocratic government in Sudan
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At UNSC, Pakistan calls for ceasefire, technocratic government in Sudan
- The war between Sudan’s army and Rapid Support Forces has displaced around 12 million people since 2023
- Pakistan’s envoy says any scheme that undermines UN Charter principles will further complicate the conflict
Pakistan’s deputy PM says country seeks to convert $1 billion UAE deposit into investment
- Ishaq Dar says the UAE will acquire shares in Pakistani companies using the amount, with transaction to be completed by March 31
- The UAE’s remaining $2 billion in deposits, part of funds used to shore up Pakistan’s foreign reserves, are due for rollover in January
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is seeking to convert part of its financial support from the United Arab Emirates into long-term investment to reduce external debt, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Saturday, following talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his visit to Islamabad.
Dar said Pakistan was engaged with the UAE on converting $1 billion in deposits into equity investment, potentially involving stakes in companies linked to the Fauji Fertilizer Group, a move that would end Pakistan’s repayment obligation on that portion of the funds.
The UAE has been one of Pakistan’s key financial backers in recent years, providing $3 billion in deposits to the central bank as part of a broader effort to stabilize the country’s external finances and unlock support from the International Monetary Fund.
Speaking at a year-end briefing, Dar said Pakistan had already begun discussions with the UAE on rolling over the first $1 billion tranche, but Islamabad now wanted to replace short-term borrowing with investment.
“They will be acquiring some shares, and this liability will end,” Dar said, adding that discussions were under way for the transaction to be completed by March 31.
Dar said the Fauji Foundation Group was taking the lead in the process, with plans for partial disinvestment by Fauji-linked and other companies to facilitate the deal.
He added that Pakistan also raised the issue of a separate $2 billion rollover due in January during talks with the UAE leadership, saying Islamabad had conveyed that converting debt into investment would be preferable to repeated rollovers.
The issue was discussed during Al Nahyan’s visit, which Dar described as cordial, adding that the UAE had expressed willingness to expand its investment footprint in Pakistan.
Pakistan has relied on repeated rollovers of deposits from friendly countries to manage its balance-of-payments pressures, a practice economists say provides short-term relief but adds to debt vulnerabilities unless replaced with foreign direct investment.
The country acquired $5 billion from Saudi Arabia and $4 billion from China, which, along with the UAE, helped shore up its foreign reserves and meet IMF conditions at a time when its external account was under severe pressure.
Dar said Pakistan was now focused on shifting from temporary financing toward longer-term capital inflows to stabilize its economy and reduce reliance on external borrowing.
