Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Pakistan needs immediate help to rehabilitate its 33 million climate refugees affected by the recent devastating rains and floods. Addressing the 6th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia in Kazakhstan capital of Astana on Thursday, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan is living through a colossal climate-induced situation. He said unprecedented rains and flooding that have submerged one-third of Pakistan are without any doubt the consequence of global warming and climate change. The prime minister said according to initial estimates the calamity has caused a loss to the tune of over 30 billion dollars.

He said the government has marshalled all the resources at its disposal for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation. Shehbaz said though Pakistan is responsible for less than one percent of global carbon emissions yet we are amongst the ten top countries most severely impacted by climate change. Expressing his gratitude to the countries who extended support to the flood- affected people, Shehbaz said Pakistan looks forward to their continued support as the country transitions to the more daunting phase of reconstruction and rehabilitation. He said Pakistan is determined to emerge stronger from these floods in a short period of time.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP