Day: October 17, 2020

Islamabad, October 17, 2020 (PPI-OT):We have seen the transcript of Armenian Prime Minister’s interview on 15 October with a Russian TV referring to some unsubstantiated reports alleging involvement of Pakistani special forces alongside Azerbaijani army in the ongoing conflict. We categorically reject these baseless and unwarranted comments by the Armenian Prime Minister. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has also clarified his stance on the matter stating that Azerbaijani forces are strong enough to defend their homeland and do not need the help of foreign forces.

It is regrettable that leadership of Armenia, to cover up its illegal actions against Azerbaijan, is resorting to irresponsible propaganda, which it must stop. For our part, we wish to make clear that Pakistan has consistently extended diplomatic, moral and political support to Azerbaijan. Pakistan will continue to stand by the brotherly nation of Azerbaijan and support its right of self-defence against any aggression. We believe that long-term peace and normalization of relations between the two parties would depend on the complete and comprehensive implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions and withdrawal of Armenian forces from Azerbaijani territories.

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Islamabad, October 17, 2020 (PPI-OT):I am honored to join you in commemorating the World Food Day and the 75th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This year’s Nobel Peace Prize could not have come at a better time to stress that peace is not possible without food security. I would like to express my sincere congratulations to World Food Programme for this prestigious recognition. As we speak today, COVID-19 is causing havoc with the lives of people.

The global economic slowdown, caused by the Pandemic, is affecting all four pillars of food security – availability, access, utilization, and stability. Agricultural and food markets are facing continuous disruptions due to labor shortages caused by lockdowns as well as by large shifts in food demand arising from income losses and the closure of schools and restaurants.

The income decline had impacted food security and put food access at risk. The most impacted are the poor and vulnerable as they spend on average 70% of their total income on food. It is clear that even before the pandemic we were not on track on SDG2. It is regrettable to note that today cost of healthy diet has exceeded the international poverty line of $1.9 a day making it unaffordable for the poor. The current trend suggests that the number of people affected by hunger would surpass 840 million by 2030.

The COVID-19 would further add between 83 and 132 million to the total number of undernourished around the world in 2020. This would also translate into more stunted growth in children which currently affects144 million. To overcome our challenges it is important that we address the core issues: First, we must ensure that food supply chains are not disrupted during crisis. The most prominent example in this regard is “green lanes” created by the Chinese government to ease transport, production, and distribution of agricultural inputs and food products.

Second, we need to invest in sustainable agriculture-related infrastructure to ensure market access for remote and small-scale farmers in the developing countries. Third, trade is an important component for availability of food and stability in its prices. It is important that we avoid disruptive policies to keep them consistent with the rules agreed at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and in the interest of the poor in developing countries.

Fourth, sustainable agriculture technologies must be made available to the developing countries on concessional and preferential terms. The Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries and Technology Facilitation Mechanism at the UN provide opportunities for actions in this regard. Fifth, billions of dollars of agricultural subsidies by the industrialized countries in agricultural sector have led to chronic overproduction, dumping surpluses, and distortions in global markets. This has made it impossible for small-scale farmers in developing countries to compete in international markets and at times in domestic markets.

Agricultural reform are therefore needed to make these trade practices fair and equitable. I intend to explore how the ECOSOC’s mandate and mechanisms can be used to promote such reforms. For the past two years, the HLPF has provided a prominent occasion to launch FAO’s flagship publication that provides an overview of the State of Food Security and Nutrition across the globe. The Food System Summit next year will also be a major opening to ensure that our ambition for zero hunger by 2030 translates into actions.

Promoting a robust multilateral response guided by global solidarity remains at the core of our response to the current pandemic. On this World Food Day, I encourage you all to work together and scale up collective solutions to advance sustainable development. Only by working together can we build back better, get back on track to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reduce vulnerabilities to future shocks and disasters.

For more information, contact:
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Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
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Website: www.pid.gov.pk

Islamabad, October 17, 2020 (PPI-OT):High Commissioner for Pakistan to Canada Mr. Raza Bashir Tarar has said that Pakistan enjoys a mature, ongoing and satisfactory relationship with Canada. “Our relationship has much substance in it and it is free of any irritants which gives us room and opportunities to further develop this relationship, particularly in bilateral trade and investment,” he said in an interview with a local TV channel here. He said there was a realisation in both Pakistan and Canada to expand their relationship further.

He said Canada was an important country for Pakistan and the prime ministers of Pakistan and Canada, both popular leaders in their respective countries, had had telephonic conversations in recent months and high-level contacts had also been established between both the countries to further this relationship in coming days.

He said Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan had been progressing and getting more recognition and respect globally and the recent re-election of Pakistan to the United Nations Human Rights Council by a maximum margin of votes through uniform support by all regions, including some important and influential countries, was an indication and manifestation of the international community’s confidence and trust in Pakistan’s commitment to progressive national and global human rights.

“This election also vindicates our stance on Kashmir,” he said, adding the human rights violations in occupied Kashmir were an issue of global concern and Pakistan would keep highlighting the plight of Kashmiris suffering under the Indian yoke. He also used the interview to welcome the Canadian businessmen and the Pakistani diaspora to invest and explore business opportunities in Pakistan which he said was open for business and the recent Ease of Doing of Business Report by the World Bank in which Pakistan was now ranked at 108 as compared to 147 two years ago, was reflection of the strength of favourable business climate in Pakistan.

“The Mission is ready to provide any facilitation to the Canadian businessmen, particularly the Pakistani entrepreneurs and businessmen, to help them explore business collaborations in fields such as infrastructure, manufacturing, housing, oil and gas, education and energy in Pakistan,” he said. Speaking about media reports of problems faced by Pakistani students applying for Canada visas, the High Commissioner said that it was the sovereign right of any country to decide who they want to admit to the country.

However, he said the difficulties faced by the Pakistani students, particularly a higher rejection rate of their applications, had been taken up with the Canadian authorities and he had briefed forums such as Pakistan Canada Parliamentary Group and also proposed shifting of Canadian visa processing centre from Abu Dhabi to Pakistan. He said Islamabad had been declared a family station by the UN due to much improved security and the US, UK and other Missions were also enhancing their strength. The High Commissioner also advised the Pakistani students to fill out their visa applications carefully and accurately by providing verifiable information about their means of income and other details. He said the Canadian government and the universities welcomed the international students and most of the Pakistani diaspora in Canada had also benefited from the education system in Canada and now playing an important role in the development of both Canada and Pakistan.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk