IMF committed to bolster Pakistan’s economic growth, says PM Kakar
NEW YORK – International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has urged Pakistan to “collect more taxes from the wealthy and protect the poor people”.
Talking to a local news channel after meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, Ms Georgieva said, “Of course, it is difficult but Pakistan has to do it in line with the IMF programme as we stand by the people of Pakistan.”
Responding to a question, she said it is in the interest of the people of Pakistan that the country revitalises its economy and addresses some of the “shortcomings” of the past.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said that he had a constructive dialogue with Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva, on the sidelines of the 78th UNGA session in New York,
In a post uploaded on his X handle, formerly known as Twitter, Prime Minister Kakar said that during the meeting they emphasized extending their mutual commitment towards bolstering economic stability and growth in Pakistan.
Both PM Kakar and IMF managing director also posed for media men before their meeting.
PM urges global support to developing nations on climate ambitions
Caretaker Prime Minister Kakar on Wednesday urged the world to extend financial and technical support to developing countries like Pakistan to help them achieve ambitions on climate change.
The prime minister, addressing the Climate Ambition Summit 2023, on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, urged all nations to raise their climate ambitions, regardless of their statuses and geographical locations.
He told the international community that the adverse impact of climate change continued to rise in frequency and intensity, disproportionately affecting developing countries.
“Pakistan is a prime example. Despite contributing less than one percent to global warming, we are among the top ten vulnerable countries. The unprecedented floods of last year illustrated this vulnerability but these may just be the tip of the iceberg unless we arrest this global warming,” he remarked.
The prime minister thanked the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for active solidarity and mobilization of global support after the floods.
He said due to its “well-established” climate vulnerability, the adaptation was a “critical” priority for Pakistan. He said Pakistan adopted the first-ever National Adaptation Plan to build climate resilience that would follow the projection and casting of interventions identified in the said Plan.
He said the second phase of the Plan would mark preparing for the sector-specific investment framework to serve as a blueprint to translate and identify the adaptation needs into tangible and bankable projects.
Prime Minister Kakar also highlighted Pakistan’s “Living Indus Initiative” aimed at restoring the ecological health of the Indus basin.
He said Pakistan took significant steps to enhance the early warning capacity as well as the flood protection plan.
He said despite its no contribution to global warming, Pakistan chose to be part of the solution by deciding to convert 60 percent of its energy resources to alternative energy by 2030 which would cost around $100 billion to the country.
Citing Quranic verses, the prime minister told the world leaders that Islam promoted responsibility to protect the environment and utilise natural resources efficiently and undertake an equitable approach to nature.
Urging the global community to come up with climate actions and support to the developing countries, the prime minister said, “This will be a litmus test of solidarity and perhaps for the survival of our species on our injured planet.”
PM Kakar, Uzbek President vow to promote regional, economic integration
Caretaker Prime Minister Kakar and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Wednesday reiterated their commitment to promote regional economic integration and resolved to play an active role for inter-regional connectivity.
They held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 78th Session of UNGA, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
The two sides exchanged views on deepening bilateral cooperation in a range of areas including political, trade, economic, security, defence, and connectivity.
The prime minister, while expressing satisfaction at the growing level of bilateral cooperation in the last few years, stressed the importance of sustaining the momentum.
He underlined that the operationalization of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and Transit Trade Agreement (UPTTA) would boost trade and transit between the two countries.
The prime minister re-affirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to timely completion of Trans-Afghan railway project.
He also noted that regional connectivity, trade, and economic integration would have a stabilizing effect on Afghanistan as well.
Both sides also exchanged views on the recent developments in the region and matters related to the regional security and stability.
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