ISLAMABAD: Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif on Saturday said the country would need assistance from its neighbours and the world community due to massive floods as large-scale crop losses might cause famine.
The Defence Minister revealed in a media conference while sharing updates of the Prime Minister’s visit along with his delegation to Uzbekistan at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit of the Council of Heads of State in Samarkand.
Khawajah said the Prime Minister during his one-on-one interactions, bilateral meetings and speeches at the SCO Summit had highlighted that the global north damages to ozone layer caused the disaster that directly impacted over 33 million people in Pakistan.
“He [Prime Minister] reiterated that in the coming days Pakistan would need the assistance of its neighbours and world community due to massive damage to its agriculture that would cause food security crisis,” the Minister said.
He appreciated that the UN secretary general was playing the role of Pakistan’s spokesperson for spreading the word for assisting Pakistan in crisis.
Khawaja said, “The country never needed such unity and solidarity before as the 220 million masses had to stand together to help disaster hit masses. The winter season is approaching and the flood crisis could cause famine in Pakistan.”
During the visit, he said it was visible that the world leaders at the SCO Summit sent their greetings to Mian Nawaz Sharif and recalled their meetings with him.
Responding to media queries, he said no personal bias or politics could overcome national interest. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rule proposed a charter of economy which was rejected by the Imran Khan regime.
“Imran Khan is not talking about floods rather continuously demanding power. Khan’s statement should never become topic of politics. Did Khan and his Chief Minister made any visit to flood affectees?”
He continued that the flood affectees were in pathetic condition in South Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) but there was no commitment of government of PTI.
“Imran Khan was a national criminal for sabotaging relief efforts and barring international agencies to stop aid to Pakistan.”
The Defence Minister told the media that the PM would convene National Security Committee meeting after his return and the issues would be discussed pertaining to Imran Khan statements jeopardizing national security.
The law as per the constitution should be applied without any discrimination to all, he said.
