Fm holds sideline meetings with Int’l leaders at Munich Conference,

MUNICH (Web Desk) – Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday said that Pakistan is facing the worst economic crisis of its history.

The foreign minister gave wide-ranging interview to the CNBC at the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference to discuss climate change, the country’s economy and the situation in Afghanistan.

When asked about a statement by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif that Pakistan has defaulted and gone bankrupt, Bilawal said the minister was speaking in a political context.

“He (Khawaja Asif) was referring to the tough economic times, he wasn’t talking technically,” the foreign minister said.

“We are facing the worst economic storm,” he said, adding that a large part of Pakistan was submerged in the recent flood waters. Bilawal said the flood disaster in Pakistan is due to climate change. He said the climate-induced floods have changed the direction of Pakistan’s economy.

In response to a question, he said Pakistan is holding negotiations with the IMF to come out of the economic crisis.

Pakistan has also been affected by terrorism in recent times, he added, referring to the recent terror attack in Peshawar and Karachi. “100 people were killed in the Peshawar attack and an incident of terrorism also happened in Karachi,” he said.

Erlier,

At the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Foreign Minister Bilawal had an exclusive meeting with leaders and discussed issues of mutual concern.

On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Sunday, Bilawal held a meeting with European Council Vice President Josep Borrell, Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Donika Gravalla-Schwarz, Norwegian counterpart Anniken Huitfeldt, Foreign Minister of Finland Pekka Haavisto, chief of the International Crisis Group Dr Comfort Ero, Malta’s Foreign Minister Dr Ian Borg, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud, and US Senator Lindsey Graham.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with his counterpart from Kosovo, Donika Grvalla-Schwarz.

The two presidents agreed to schedule the second round of mutual political consultations as soon as possible.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, speaking on the event, stated that Pakistan and Kosovo had long and historical links.

They also discussed ways to improve cooperation in a variety of industries, including tourism, health, education, trade, and personnel exchange.

He met with Nowegian counterpart Anniken Huitfeldt and they committed to collaborate to curb the spread of Islamophobia around the world. Both leaders emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation.

Bilawal also met with Malta’s Foreign Minister, Dr Ian Borg, and they emphasised their desire to strengthen partnerships in information technology, health, tourism, and start-ups through the Joint Technical Commission.

He met with the chief of the International Crisis Group, Dr Comfort Ero, and they agreed to implement a concerted strategy to address the crises confronting humanity.

FM Bilawal also met with US Senator Lindsey Graham and other members of Congress, where they discussed climate change and the difficulties that humanity faces.Bilawal met with Foreign Minister of Finland Pekka Haavisto. The two sides agreed to take forward relations in sectors of education, trade and climate change. Bilawal welcomed the decision of Finland to re-open its embassy in Islamabad.