- Stresses solution to Kashmir, Palestine issues essential for durable peace in world
- Says Pakistan needs immediate help to rehabilitate 33 mln climate-hit people
ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday strongly favoured peaceful dialogue for resolution of conflicts with other countries, including the neighbouring India, in a bid to achieve the goals of prosperity of the nations and the region.
Addressing at the 6th summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, he said Pakistan desired peaceful relations with all its neighbours including India.
"I want to leave behind a legacy of peace and progress for the prosperity of the coming generations of our region.” PM Shehbaz Sharif offers his willingness to 'conditionally engage with India' for regional prosperity.#CICASummit2022#PakPMatCICA pic.twitter.com/8BWiZ3gkPp
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 13, 2022
“We are willing to engage with India for the sake of prosperity and development as both sides of the border cannot afford to deal with massive challenges of poverty and unemployment amid meager resources,” he said.
The prime minister’s speech focused on peace among nations to hit the goal of prosperity as he addressed the leaders of the multinational forum, gathered to discuss cooperation towards promoting peace, security and stability in Asia.
PM Shehbaz stressed that the people deserved the resources to be diverted to their education and health. “I want to leave behind a legacy of peace and progress for the prosperity of the coming generations of our region,” he said.
“Pakistan’s first priority at the moment is to revive rapid and equitable economy”.
He, however, said, the “onus remains on India to take a necessary steps to engage towards the result-oriented solutions.”
LIVE #APPNews : Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses 6th CICA Summit Astana, Kazakhstan #PakPMatCICA #CICASummit2022 #PMShehbazAtCICA https://t.co/OHJznfujNY
— APP 🇵🇰 (@appcsocialmedia) October 13, 2022
The prime minister highlighted India’s unabated atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir for last seven decades, where he said, that the Kashmiris faced continued denial of their right to self-determination.
He urged other countries to take notice of India’s ‘bullet over ballot’ policy as it blatantly quashed the United Nations Security Council’s resolution on holding a plebiscite in Kashmir.
“India has become a threat to its minorities, neighbours and the entire region,” he said.
Sharif said Pakistan was “absolutely ready and willing for a discussion with Indian counterparts to promote trade and investment provided they showed the sincerity of purpose”.
On Afghanistan, he said the four decades of conflict not only took a heavy toll on the country but also upon its neighbouring Pakistan.
Pakistan, he said, suffered immense damage to its peace and security with serious consequences borne in shape of 80,000 casualties and billions of dollars financial losses.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction that after immense sacrifices, Pakistan had now become able to control extremism and terrorism on its soil besides managing to host four million Afghan refugees.
“Prosperous and stable Afghanistan is not only in the interest of Pakistan, but also for the international community,” he said.
Shehbaz Sharif called for pooling resources among the regional countries to address the common challenges in the interest of peace and progress. “If we team our resources, Asia can stand with pride and achievement,” he said.
“Through constructive dialogue, we can build mutual trust”. He mentioned Pakistan’s location offering a natural bridge among various economies of the region. In this regard, he highlighted the multi-billion dollar project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which had transformed the economic and connectivity landscape of the region.
He also invited the CICA member states to consider benefiting from the trade, investment and business opportunities offered by Pakistan.
PAKISTAN NEEDS IMMEDIATE HELP TO REHABILITATE 33MCLIMATE-HIT PEOPLE
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Pakistan needs immediate help to rehabilitate its thirty three million climate refugees affected by the recent devastating rains and floods.
Addressing the 6th Summit of CICA in Astana, he said Pakistan is living through a colossal climate induced climate. He said unprecedented rains and flooding that have submerged one third of Pakistan are without any doubt the consequence of global warming and climate change. He said according to initial estimates, the calamity has caused a loss to the tune of over thirty billion dollars.
The Prime Minister said the government has marshalled all the resources at its disposal for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation. He said though Pakistan is responsible for less than one percent of global carbon emissions yet we are amongst the ten top countries most severely impacted by climate change.
Expressing his gratitude to the countries who extended support to flood affected people, the Prime Minister said Pakistan looks forward to their continued support as the country transitions to the more daunting phase of reconstruction and rehabilitation. He said Pakistan is determined to emerge stronger from these floods in a short period of time.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan’s location offers a natural bridge to regional economies. He said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has transformed the economic and connectivity landscape of the region.
He invited the members to take the advantage of the opportunity of trade, business and investment in Pakistan. Highlighting the impacts of conflict in Afghanistan, he said Pakistan has borne the most serious consequence of the conflict in Afghanistan.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan faced eighty thousand causalities and economic loses of over 150 billion dollars in the fight against terrorism. He said Pakistan with the help of great sacrifices curbed the menace of terrorism and extremism. He said Pakistan continues to host four million refugees.
He said a peaceful, stable, united and prosperous Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan, entire region and the world. He called upon the world to support the people of Afghanistan in their quest for sustainable peace, stability and development.
KASHMIR SOLUTION ESSENTIAL FOR DURABLE PEACE IN REGION
In his address PM Shehbaz has said that resolution of the Kashmir dispute is essential for durable peace in the region. He said Pakistan wants better relations with India but it depends on India. Peace will not be established until Indian atrocities end in the occupied territory, he added.
“We are willing to engage with India for the sake of prosperity and development as both sides of the border cannot afford to deal with massive challenges of poverty and unemployment amid meager resources,” he said.
The Prime Minister highlighted India’s unabated atrocities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir where, he said, the Kashmiris have been facing continued denial of their right to self-determination for the last seven decades.
He also urged other countries to take notice of India’s ‘bullet over ballot’ policy as it blatantly quashed the United Nations resolution on holding a plebiscite in Kashmir. “India has become a threat to its minorities, neighbours and the entire region,” he added.
PM REITERATES PAKISTAN’S STANCE ON PALESTINE ISSUE
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s stance to continue raising its voice for the cause of Palestinian people till the culmination of their just struggle for freedom.
He was talking to President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas in Astana on Thursday, on the sidelines of 6th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in a pleasant chat with the President of the State of Palestine H.E Mahmoud Abbas, on the sidelines of the 6th summit of CICA.#PakPMatCICA #PMShehbazatCICA#CICASummit2022 pic.twitter.com/IZpI0gsIsD
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) October 13, 2022
The two leaders had an emotional interaction that was reflective of the fraternal bond between the two countries.
Warmly embracing each other, they exchanged cordial feelings for their respective countries and mentioned the support the two countries have been extending to each other in different contexts.
The Prime Minister said Palestine is in our hearts and is part of our faith. As Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Palestinian President for his country’s relief assistance to Pakistan’s flood affected people, the Palestinian President responded that his country couldn’t do enough for Pakistanis who are their brothers and sisters.
The Palestinian President said we never forget Pakistan and we have been with Pakistanis since before the establishment of Pakistan. He mentioned how Pakistan took care of the veteran Palestinian leader and grand Mufti Amin el-Husseini until his death.
PM WRAPS UP TWO-DAY VISIT TO KAZAKHSTAN
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday left here for home after concluding his two-day visit to Kazakhstan, where he participated in the 6th summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
The prime minister, along with delegation, was seen off by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Yerulan Zhamaubayev at the Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meets President of Belarus H.E Aleksandr Lukashenko at Independence Palace Astana, Kazakhstan during the 6th CICA Summit.#PakPMatCICA pic.twitter.com/qCKpxwNJ3Z
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) October 13, 2022
During his stay in Astana, the prime minister addressed the world leaders at the plenary meeting of CICA, where he elaborated the significance of the forum aimed at promoting interaction, understanding, and collaboration amongst countries across Asia.
The prime minister in his speech highlighted Pakistan’s perspective on regional and global issues. PM Shehbaz Sharif also held meaningful interaction with leaders of various countries including Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam and Belarus.
