Govt declares the climate, agricultural emergencies after devastation of floods

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the application of climate and agriculture emergencies through Pakistan in response to heavy monsoon rains and generalized floods that devastated the country, the decision was approved during a federal cabinet in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Shehbaz warned that recent monsoon rains and floods caused general destruction, killing more than 900 people, moving thousands and overwhelming large expanses of agricultural land.

Addressing the office, he said that assessments were underway to determine the losses against key crops such as wheat and cotton. “The danger is not yet over because the flood of floods heads to the Sindh province,” he said in remarks broadcast on national television.

The Prime Minister stressed that federal and provincial governments would share the responsibility of compensation victims. “Given the impacts on climate change, we should find a program because we are faced with huge challenges that cannot be overcome overnight,” he said.

Turning to foreign policy, Shehbaz welcomed his recent visit to China, where he said that Pakistan had obtained an $ 8.5 billion agreement for a business investment conference.

He described the event as “very effective and good”, adding that China will cover 85% of investments in new projects in the second phase of the economic corridor of China-Pakistan (CPEC).

He said agriculture would be a central objective of the CPEC-II, while US companies had also expressed their interest in investing in the Pakistan mineral and mineral sector using modern technology. “We want to improve links with the United States, in addition to strengthening strategic partnership with China,” said Shehbaz.

The Prime Minister warned his cabinet against delays and complacency following the agreements. “I will not authorize the status quo, any kind of complacency or the disproportionate delays that have marked the history of the country in the last seven and a half decades,” he said.

Shehbaz also paid tribute to Major Adnan Aslam, who was killed in an operation against terrorists in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He denounced social media campaigns against the armed forces like “Fitna” which must be “crushed”. “Such a repugnant attitude towards the armed forces is unbearable,” he said.

The cabinet offered prayers for relatives of civil servants who were recently died. Officials said that the application of climate and agriculture emergencies aimed to meet the growing climatic challenges of the country and support farmers whose livelihoods have been seriously affected.

Find out more: The United States approves aid to alleviate floods for Pakistan

“This is a collective challenge. The cooperation of all provincial stakeholders, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu-et-Cachemire, will be essential,” said Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, journalists.

He said the federal government would play its role while the provinces and regions brought their share. Chaudhry added that a meeting with provincial stakeholders would be summoned immediately to coordinate rescue and recovery efforts.

Turning to foreign policy, Chaudhry described Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China as a success, saying that it had opened “a new era of cooperation” between Islamabad and Beijing. He noted that the Prime Minister also had “friendly and constructive” commitments with world leaders.