NATHIAGALI, Pakistan: Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, on Saturday, called the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Switzerland and Pakistan over disaster management a crucial step that would encourage cooperation between the two countries soon to harness expertise and technology to address the natural disasters jointly.
The PM spoke at the MoU signing ceremony and expressed excitement for Swiss collaboration in obtaining an early warning system and other technology to protect the country as much as possible from natural disasters. He emphasized that despite Pakistan having very low carbon emissions, the country was nevertheless experiencing the effects of global climate change.
The prime minister also stated that Pakistan was blessed with a beautiful environment and that they intended to deepen its bilateral connections with Switzerland in many areas, including the travel and tourist industry.
The prime minister expressed appreciation for the foreign minister of Switzerland’s comments regarding the peace in the area and stated that it was crucial to keep the peace in this area of the world and that Switzerland might act as a catalyst to advance peace in the area.
According to him, Pakistan likes to encourage development and prosperity, end unemployment and poverty, and improve industries like education, IT, and agriculture for the benefit of its citizens. He added that the other side also needs to be aware of it. He emphasized that Pakistan must devote its resources to the country’s growth since it cannot afford regional unrest or wish to waste them.
The PM emphasized that until their issues, particularly Kashmir, were settled, there could not be permanent peace in this region of the world. Ignazio Cassis, Switzerland’s foreign minister, said signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the two nations was essential for cooperation in the fight against climate change.
He claimed that although Pakistan had a rich cultural history and beautiful landscapes, it had also grown more vulnerable to natural calamities, which led to last year’s flooding and widespread devastation.
The Swiss minister claimed that close international collaboration was essential to reduce the risks brought on by natural calamities.
He reiterated his commitment to strengthen bilateral relations and combine their resources in this area while extending his government’s help in this regard. When terrible floods between 2010 and 2022 hit Pakistan, he added that the Swiss government quickly dispatched emergency aid and assisted the affected citizens. The foreign minister stated that they were prepared to take on fresh challenges in disaster management that crossed national boundaries and emphasized that they required international cooperation and support.
The visiting Swiss foreign minister and Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority, Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik, signed an earlier memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two nations to collaborate in the area of natural catastrophes in the prime minister’s presence. Sherry Rehman, the federal minister for climate change, and other officials were also present. The agreement between the two countries will serve as a landmark in achieving the prime minister’s goal of bringing the National Disaster Management up to line with international standards.
It will also help encourage cooperation between Switzerland and Pakistan in predicting natural disasters, swift response, rehabilitation measures, and impacts. —APP
