Climate and Agriculture Emergency Declared
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced that the federal cabinet will declare both a climate emergency and an agriculture emergency in response to the devastating floods that have claimed nearly 1,000 lives, displaced thousands, and destroyed vast agricultural lands.
Addressing the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, the premier said a committee led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal would prepare a roadmap to deal with the crisis, followed by an apex meeting with all four chief ministers to finalise a national strategy. He stressed that both federal and provincial governments must contribute to relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Flood Losses and Ongoing Risk
Shehbaz highlighted that crops, including wheat and cotton, had been badly damaged, compounding the economic losses. He warned that the flood deluge was still moving toward Sindh, keeping the threat alive. Compensation mechanisms for the victims are being prepared.
CPEC 2.0 and Economic Cooperation
Reflecting on his recent visit to China, the prime minister termed the Pakistan-China Business Conference in Beijing highly successful, resulting in agreements worth $8.5 billion. He confirmed that CPEC Phase-II will prioritise agriculture, mines and minerals, business-to-business ventures, and special economic zones.
Under the new framework, China will finance 85 per cent of projects while Pakistan will contribute the remaining 15 per cent. He added that the United States has also signed an MoU to invest in Pakistan’s mineral exploration sector using modern technology.
Relations with China and the US
Shehbaz Sharif underlined Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with China while also seeking to enhance ties with the United States. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal is set to visit China on September 26 for the formal launch of CPEC 2.0.
Condemnation of Israeli Aggression
The prime minister condemned Israel’s attack on a residential compound in Doha, calling it “naked aggression” and expressing solidarity with Qatar. He also strongly criticised Israel’s continued assault on Gaza, describing it as unprecedented brutality.
Tribute to Security Forces
Shehbaz Sharif paid glowing tribute to the security forces, particularly Major Adnan Aslam Shaheed, who laid down his life fighting militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He condemned propaganda against the armed forces on social media, terming it a “fitna” that must be countered collectively.
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