News

Pakistani PM urges UN to mobilize int’l community for more humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan

Published

3 years ago

26/09/2021

MNN

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) should unite the international community to provide more humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, so as to promote regional peace and stability.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan early Saturday morning urged the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to mobilize the international community to extend financial assistance to Afghanistan during the current crisis.

In a virtual address to the 76th session of the UNGA, Khan said the world has no time to waste, and if immediate humanitarian assistance is not given to Afghanistan, it might have very serious repercussions for the world, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“If we neglect Afghanistan right now, according to the UN, half the people of Afghanistan are already vulnerable, and by next year almost 90 percent of the people in Afghanistan will go below the poverty line. There is a huge humanitarian crisis looming ahead. And this will have serious repercussions not just for the neighbors of Afghanistan but everywhere.”

He noted that “in trying to force a military solution is where the U.S. went wrong,” and if Afghanistan is not supported by the international community, it will become a safe haven for international terrorists.

Afghan people wait to enter Pakistan at the border crossing point of Torkham between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Sept. 3, 2021. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

Talking about the influence of the United States’ war against terrorism in Pakistan, Khan said his country suffered the most in the war. “80,000 Pakistanis died, 150 billion U.S. dollars were lost to our economy. There were 3.5 million internally displaced Pakistanis.”

He added that after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the United States needed Pakistan for providing all the logistical support in Afghanistan.

“The world must know that in Pakistan, there were 480 drone attacks conducted by the U.S. And we all know that drone attacks are not that precise. They cause more collateral damage than the militants they are targeting,” he said.

“The only reason we suffered so much was that we became an ally of the United States,” he said, adding that “at least there should have been a word of appreciation. But rather than appreciation, imagine how we feel when we are blamed for the turn of events in Afghanistan.”

Khan said the world is facing the triple challenges of COVID-19, the accompanying economic crisis, and threats posed by climate change. He called for the adoption of a comprehensive strategy of vaccine equity.

He also proposed adequate financing for developing countries through comprehensive debt restructuring, expanded official development assistance and redistribution of unutilized special drawing rights.

The prime minister also urged the international community to adopt clear investment strategies to help alleviate poverty, promote job creation, build sustainable infrastructure, and bridge the digital divide.

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 26 (Xinhua)

News

Foreign observers impressed with election arrangements

Published

4 hours ago

23/04/2024

Foreign observers have praised the voting arrangements made by the Elections Commission (EC) for the this year’s parliamentary election.

A total of 19 international observers from nine different countries visited the Maldives to observe the election for the 20th parliament assembly. The observer groups consisted of elections commissioners and chief elections commissioners of the foreign countries.

The chair of the foreign observers team spoke with the local media, noting they monitored the elections by splitting the team into four groups.

The observers team chair also highlighted peaceful proceedings across the all polling stations from commencement until the end, and singled out the installation of fans for voters in waiting areas.

“It is delightful to see that 90% of the elections officials were women. Vote counting had begun almost immediately after polling closed, which too proceeded peacefully,” the observers team chair commented.

Besides this, majority of the observers had praised the use of technological equipment in the voting as well. Nelson Sallis, the election monitor from the Philippines highlighted the voter’s details could be accessed promptly using the tablets used by the officials, which allowed voters to cast the ballots faster.

“This was an exemplary usage of technology by the Maldives Elections Commission,” Nelson said.

The monitors unanimously singled out the lack of any notable confrontations or commotions at the polling stations during the election, and praised the Elections Commission for it.

Source(s): sun.mv

World

Biden tells Zelenskyy new arms will be provided quickly to Ukraine

Published

4 hours ago

23/04/2024

U.S. President Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over phone on Monday that his administration will soon quickly provide additional arms to Ukraine once a bill authorizing related funds clears Congress and becomes law.

“President Biden shared that his administration will quickly provide significant new security assistance packages to meet Ukraine’s urgent battlefield and air defense needs as soon as the Senate passes the national security supplemental and he signs it into law,” the White House said in a readout of the call.

Biden was referring to the $61 billion aid for Ukraine that the House passed Saturday. The measure, now bundled with other foreign aid funding, will be voted on as a comprehensive national security supplemental appropriations bill in the Senate this week, with passage all but certain and Biden pledging to sign it as soon as it reaches his desk.

“President Biden also underscored that the U.S. economic assistance will help maintain financial stability, build back critical infrastructure,” the readout said, adding that the economic assistance will also “support reform as Ukraine moves forward on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration.”

Zelenskyy said on Telegram that the new aid from Washington is expected to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense as well as its long-range and artillery capabilities.

The Ukrainian president also discussed with Biden the work on a bilateral security agreement and the preparations for the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland slated for mid-June, he said.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on X on Saturday that senators have reached an agreement to vote on the national security supplemental on Tuesday.

Source(s): CGTN

News

President invites political leaders’ involvement for nation’s progress

Published

4 hours ago

23/04/2024

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has urged all political leaders to refrain from political rivalry and to exert collaborative efforts, aiming for the nation’s expedite development. The remarks were made by the president in the event held to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of the People’s National Congress (PNC) in the parliamentary elections.

Speaking at the event, President Dr. Muizzu affirmed that the projects and plans made by the government will be executed and completed at an accelerated rate, following PNC’s victory. The president assured that with the new Parliament, the international community will comprehend the significance of independence and freedom of expression to the Maldivians. On this stance, he invited all political leaders to participate and exert collaborative efforts to ensure sustainable development in a timely manner. He additionally ensured that no individual will be discriminated based on their parties.

Furthermore, President Dr. Muizzu stated that it is a responsibility of all individuals to contribute to the development of the nation. The president urged boosting communal harmony and bolstering Islamic values as well.

Source(s): PsmNews