- Pakistan seeks Swiss collaboration to acquire advanced warning system.
- Islamabad wants to further expand bilateral ties with Switzerland: PM Shahbaz
- Swiss minister says Pakistan is rich in cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes.
Pakistan and Switzerland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Disaster Management to promote cooperation between the two countries to use technology and expertise to jointly deal with any natural disaster in future.
Addressing the MoU signing ceremony in Islamabad on Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that he looked forward to Swiss cooperation in terms of getting an advanced warning system and other gadgets to make Pakistan as safe as possible from natural disasters.
He reiterated that Pakistan is facing the effects of global climate change, despite the fact that the country has a very low carbon footprint.
The prime minister said Islamabad is looking forward to further expanding bilateral ties with Switzerland in various fields including the tourism sector as Pakistan is blessed with natural beauty.
Appreciating the Swiss Foreign Minister’s comments about peace in the region, the Prime Minister said that maintaining peace in this part of the world is important and Switzerland can play a catalytic role in promoting peace in the region.
He said that Pakistan likes to promote progress and prosperity, eliminate unemployment and poverty and increase education, IT, industry, women empowerment and agriculture for the betterment of the people.
He said that the other side should also realize this. He stressed that Pakistan cannot tolerate tension in the region and would not like to waste their resources, they have to devote their resources to the development of the country.
The Prime Minister reiterated that there can be no lasting peace in this part of the world until their issues, including Kashmir, are resolved.
Speaking on the occasion, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said that the signing of the MoU between the two countries is important for cooperation against climate change.
He said Pakistan is rich in cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, but it has been plagued by natural disasters, resulting in floods last year, with widespread destruction and displacement of people.
The Swiss minister said that there is an urgent need for international cooperation to reduce the risks associated with these natural disasters.
Extending his government’s cooperation in this regard, he reaffirmed his intention to further strengthen bilateral relations and pool his resources in this area.
He highlighted the joint efforts between the two countries during the years 2010 and 2022, when Pakistan was hit by devastating floods, adding that the Swiss government provided rapid emergency assistance and supported the affected people.
The External Affairs Minister further stated that they are prepared to face new challenges beyond borders in the field of disaster management and emphasized that this requires global unity and concerted efforts.
Earlier, the Prime Minister signed an MoU between the two countries for cooperation in the field of Natural Disasters by the Swiss Foreign Minister and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik. Climate Change Minister Sherry Rahman, ministers and relevant officials were present on the occasion.
This document between the two countries will also prove to be a milestone in bringing NDMA at par with international standards under the vision of the Prime Minister.
It will also help in promoting cooperation between Pakistan and Switzerland in forecasting of natural disasters, their effects, quick response and rehabilitation measures.
