- Hopes MoU between Pakistan, Switzerland to help promote cooperation in disasters management
- Wants to expand ties in trade, investment, risk reduction, early warning, higher education and building tourism infrastructure
NATHIAGALI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed the need for mitigating effects of climate change and utilize the country’s resources for development instead of war, saying MoU between Pakistan and Switzerland over disaster management will help harness technology and expertise in future to tackle natural catastrophe jointly.
Addressing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony with Switzerland for cooperation on disaster management, the premier emphasized that Pakistan could not afford tension in the region nor would like to waste its resources on war as that has not been of any help in the past.
Pakistan does not want tension in the region, nor does it want to waste its resources on fighting wars. We must commit our resources to the country's development.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the MoU signing ceremony between Pakistan and Switzerland on disaster… pic.twitter.com/D0Ju0iAU7S
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 8, 2023
He, however, added, it takes two to tango. Without naming any party, Shehbaz said that the other side would also have to do some introspection and hold the same sentiment. There can be no peace in the region without a resolution on Kashmir, he emphasized.
The resolution of all disputes including that of Jammu and Kashmir is important for lasting peace in this part of the world, said Shehbaz.
The premier termed the MoU signing as a vital step towards promoting cooperation between Pakistan and Switzerland, whereby the two countries could harness technology and expertise to tackle natural catastrophes jointly.
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and Chairman NDMA Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Pakistan & Switzerland to promote cooperation in the field of natural disaster management. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also witnessed the signing… pic.twitter.com/shnVsUDEzP
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 8, 2023
He reiterated that Pakistan was facing the impacts of global climate change, despite the fact that the country had very little carbon emissions.
His government looked forward to Swiss cooperation in terms of getting an advanced warning system and other gadgets to secure Pakistan as much as possible from natural disasters, said the PM.
We look forward to Swiss cooperation in terms of obtaining an advanced warning system and other gadgets to secure Pakistan as much as possible from natural disasters.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the MoU signing ceremony between Pakistan and Switzerland on disaster… pic.twitter.com/WsuSA6XcUA
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 8, 2023
He reiterated that Pakistan was facing the impacts of global climate change, despite the fact that the country had negligible carbon footprints.
PM Shehbaz also expressed the desire to further expand bilateral ties with Switzerland in various fields such as the tourism sector as the country is blessed with natural beauty.
Appreciating the Swiss foreign minister’s remarks about peace in the region, the PM said that it was important to maintain peace in this part of the world and that Switzerland could play the role of a catalyst to promote peace in the region.
The premier added that Pakistan would like to promote progress and prosperity. To this end, the premier highlighted the eradication of unemployment, poverty, investment in education, IT, industry, women empowerment and agriculture as areas of concern.
MoU vital for collaboration against climate change
Speaking on the occasion, Foreign Minister of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis said that signing the MoU between the two countries was vital for collaboration against climate change.
He said Pakistan was rich in cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, but it had become prone to natural disasters, resulting in last year’s floods, displacement of people with wide destruction.
Foreign Minister of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Governor House, Nathiagali, Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/ZTUUfBIrTd
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 8, 2023
The Swiss minister said these disasters required an urgent need for international cooperation to mitigate the risks associated with the natural catastrophes.
Extending his government’s cooperation in this regard, he reaffirmed to further strengthen the bilateral ties and to pool their resources in this field.
He further highlighted the joint efforts between the two countries during the years 2010 and 2022 when the devastating floods struck Pakistan, adding the Swiss government swiftly provided emergency aid and supported the affected people.
The foreign minister further said that they were ready to embark on the new challenges in the field of disaster management which went beyond the borders and stressed that these required global unity and collateral efforts.
Earlier, the prime minister witnessed the signing of the MoU between the two countries by the visiting Swiss foreign minister and Chairman National Disaster Management Authority Lt-Gen Inam Haider Malik to cooperate in the field of natural disasters. Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman, ministers, NDMA chairman and relevant authorities were present on the occasion.
The document between the two countries will also prove as a milestone in bringing the National Disaster Management at par with the international standards under the vision of the prime minister.
It will also help promote cooperation between Pakistan and Switzerland in forecasting natural disasters, their impacts, swift response and rehabilitation measures.
Productive discussion with Swiss FM on trade, investment: PM
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday said he had a productive discussion with Foreign Minister of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, climate change, disaster management, risk reduction, early warning, higher education and building tourism infrastructure.
In a tweet on social media platform Twitter, he said, “Delighted to receive Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
Delighted to receive Swiss FM @IgnazioCassis. We had productive discussion on expanding cooperation in trade & investment, climate change, disaster management, risk reduction and early warning, higher education & building tourism infrastructure.
I appreciate Switzerland’s… pic.twitter.com/3cPbrMGHrv
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 8, 2023
We had productive discussions on expanding cooperation in trade & investment, climate change, disaster management, risk reduction and early warning, higher education & building tourism infrastructure.”
“I appreciate Switzerland’s advocacy for climate-responsible sustainable development,” he added.
Pakistan attaches high importance to bilateral ties with Switzerland
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reiterated the high importance Pakistan attached to its relations with Switzerland which were based on shared belief in fundamental principles of democracy and the rule of law.
The prime minister received Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. The Swiss foreign minister, accompanied by three members of the Parliament, is on a bilateral visit to Pakistan from 7-9 July at the invitation of the prime minister, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance bilateral ties, especially in the areas of climate change, trade and investment, development cooperation, higher education and vocational training.
The prime minister thanked the Swiss government for providing support to Pakistan in the aftermath of last year’s devastating floods.
He also appreciated the Swiss businesses’ approach to the resolution of issues and their work ethic, and invited more Swiss companies to invest in Pakistan, particularly in the renewable energy and IT sectors.
