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Climate change impacts turn food self-sufficient Pakistan into deficient nation: Munir Akram

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 Climate change is adversely affecting Pakistan’s agricultural production, making the food self-sufficient country into a deficient one, Ambassador Munir Akram told a UN event on Monday

“This is obviously one of the critical impacts of the poly-crises we have been facing during the past three years,” the Pakistani envoy said during a discussion organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on ways to bring the role of finance for development to mitigating and preventing food crises and promoting food systems transformation.

Among other speakers were FAO’s Chief Economist Maximo Torero, who joined the event virtually from Rome, and its co-organizers — El Salvador’s Ambassador Egriselda Aracely Gonzalez-Lopez and Ethiopian Ambassador Tesfaye Yila Sabo.

Outlining Pakistan’s case, Ambassador Akram said the country was almost food sufficient, with agriculture accounting for 38 percent of the labour force, contributing 22.7 percent to GDP in 2021–22.

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“Yet, because of climate change, there has been a steady deterioration in our ability to produce,” the Pakistani envoy said, pointing out that his country suffered one of the worst climate crises last year — a spring heatwave shriveled harvests, followed by unprecedented summer floods drowning them.

“The floods inundated 4.4 million acres of standing crops,” he said, adding, “From food self-sufficient we became deficient without the ability to plant for the next season due to the standing water.”

Having suffered such massive impacts, the Pakistani envoy said Pakistan could not qualify for any of the international criteria for support.

“We found to our shock, we are not eligible for the food shock window nor for the PRGT (Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust)”, he said. “Our negotiations with the IMF have dragged on for months and months for reasons…”

In this regard, Ambassador Akram agreed with UN Secretary-General’s conclusion that the financial system was “morally bankrupt”.

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“People are suffering from exogenous shocks, yet they are not being able to gain access to support,” he said, highlighting the fact that there is something wrong with the system that we must seek to correct.”

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Former PM Raja Parvez Ashraf raises concerns over IMF bailout conditions

Former PM Raja Parvez Ashraf raises concerns over IMF bailout conditions

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Former PM Raja Parvez Ashraf raises concerns over IMF bailout conditions

Former prime minister Raja Parvez Ashraf has raised concerns about the potential conditions of the new IMF bailout package for Pakistan.

In a statement issued on Friday, the PPP Central Punjab President suggested that the government should brief parliament on the IMF package, with the finance minister providing lawmakers with details on new taxes and approved austerity measures during an in-camera session.

Ashraf underscored that instead of privatising Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other vital institutions, state-owned enterprises should be managed through public-private partnerships.

The former PM strongly opposed the idea of imposing taxes on pensioners, deeming it unacceptable. He urged the Finance Ministry to seek an alternative solution.

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Raja Parvez Ashraf also highlighted the potential for enhanced harmony between the Centre and the provinces through the full implementation of the 18th Amendment.

He also proposed the abolition of unnecessary ministries to alleviate the financial burden on the federation.

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Pakistan slams Indian atrocities against minorities, Kashmiris at UN

Pakistan slams Indian atrocities against minorities, Kashmiris at UN

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Pakistan slams Indian atrocities against minorities, Kashmiris at UN

Pakistan addressed the UN General Assembly on Thursday, asserting that India was targeting Indian Muslims, Christians and Muslims in occupied Kashmir, and urged an end to their harsh suppression.

Ambassador Munir Akram stated during a debate on ‘Culture of Peace’ that since the BJP-RSS government took office in 2014, hate, oppression and violence against India’s 200 million Muslims, as well as other minorities like Christians and the ‘lower-caste’ Dalits, became rampant and systematic, driven by the ideology of Hindutva.

The envoy emphasised that unless Hindutva fascism was opposed and the impunity of the BJP-RSS ended, wider violence and conflict in South Asia would remain a real and present danger.

Despite efforts to promote a “Culture of Peace,” Akram noted a rise in hate, violence and war worldwide, with over 300 conflicts raging across the globe.

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Highlighting Pakistan’s efforts to combat Islamophobia, Akram expressed deep concern at the officially sanctioned manifestations of Islamophobia in India, citing the Citizenship Law and National Registry list designed to exclude Muslims from citizenship.

The envoy warned of the spread of Hindutva extremism, which he said turbo-charged repression in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He called for urgent resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Akram also highlighted India’s belligerence towards Pakistan, citing threats from Indian officials to “take over” Azad Kashmir and dangerous military doctrines adopted by India.

He accused India of financing and sponsoring terrorist groups to disrupt the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and highlighted Pakistan’s concerns over India’s campaign of targeted assassinations, even beyond its borders.

Akram emphasised the urgent need for the international community to address these issues and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region.

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NA Secretariat accepts inclusion of independent members in SIC

NA Secretariat accepts inclusion of independent members in SIC

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NA Secretariat accepts inclusion of independent members in SIC

he National Assembly Secretariat has accepted the inclusion of independent members (PTI-backed MNAs) in the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Dunya News reported.

The National Assembly Secretariat has released a list of 83 members of Sunni Ittehad Council on its official website after the approval of NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

After the inclusion of independent members, Sunni Ittehad Council has become second largest party in the lower house of the parliament with 83 members.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had sent a notification regarding the inclusion of independent members in the SIC to the National Assembly Secretariat.

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