NEW YORK, Sep 24 (NNI): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said that Pakistan wanted peace in the Middle East.
He made these remarks while speaking to media outside the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. “Israel is responsible for the genocide in Palestine. We want peace in the Middle East. We are providing every possible help to our Palestinian bothers”, he said.
He said that climate change would also be a topic of discussion during the UNGA session, adding that cooperation with friendly nations would also be enhanced. He also made it clear that Pakistan had borne the brunt in the war on terror while ruling out any negotiations with terrorists.
Attaullah Tarar has said that issues with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have entered into decisive stage and a fruitful outcome is expected in a few days. He said Pakistan’s foreign policy is on a successful trajectory. He noted that coordination and cooperation with friendly countries has increased.
“The matters with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have entered the final stage. Inflation has come down to single digit in Pakistan even Bloomberg praised the monetary policies of Pakistan,” he further informed.
He said that Bloomberg had termed the Pakistan stock market as an emerging stock market and Moody’s and Fitch had upgraded its rating.
The Information Minister emphasized that Pakistan has great potential for investment and aims to convey this message to the world. He said the economy is heading in the right direction with inflation coming down to single digit.
He also appraised of the scheduled meeting of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif with the Pakistani business community in the United States.
Responding to a question, Attaullah Tarar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has raised Palestine issue at international forums. He emphasized that peace in Palestine is important for peace in the world. He reiterated Pakistan’s demand for a ceasefire in Gaza and for holding Israel accountable for its crimes.
Tarar said that Pakistan had dispatched humanitarian aid through ships and C130s. Moreover Pakistan had offered to give admission to Palestinian medical students in Pakistani institutions, so that they could complete their education without any hindrance.
He said the Kashmir issue would figure in the Prime Minister’s engagements in the United Nations. Besides, he said climate change was a major issue for Pakistan which contributed only 2 per cent of the gas emissions but had to bear the brunt of adverse effects of the climate change.
He said the UN secretary general had himself visited Pakistan and himself saw the impact of climate change in Pakistan due to heavy floods. He further said that Pakistan had also badly suffered in the war against terrorism and it was still suffering in this war launched by the western powers.
The minister said that after 2018 Pakistan was isolated on foreign policy affairs as Pakistan’s friends both in East and West were unhappy. He said now the warmth in relations with all friendly countries was restored and cooperation was showing serge. He said that talks with the International Monetary Fund had been concluded and final endorsement was due shortly.
To a question, he said that during the PM’s visit, meetings will be held with doctors , bankers and representatives from other walks of life. NNI
