Pakistan K Worried about the Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar today (monday) Kenya are not participating in the African Climate Summit that started in the capital of Nairobi.
Spokesperson of the Foreign Office in Islamabad, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch and Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Murtaza Solangi confirmed the cancellation of Prime Minister Anwar Haq Kakar’s three-day visit to Nairobi in a conversation with Arab News.
Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said: ‘The main reason for the cancellation of the Prime Minister’s visit is his unavoidable domestic engagements.’
Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Office announced this week that Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar will attend the September 4-6 African Summit in Nairobi, where he will meet with African counterparts and other high-level dignitaries. A series of bilateral meetings were to be held.
The Foreign Office had said that Pakistan’s high-level participation in the summit was not only in line with its proactive climate diplomacy, but also in line with Islamabad’s vision of enhancing ties with African states.
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The African Climate Summit is a joint initiative of Kenya and the African Union, and African officials hope the summit will strengthen the continent’s voice and send a unified message ahead of the UN’s COP28 climate summit later this year. .
More than 20 African heads of state and government and hundreds of delegates from around the world, including UN chief Antonio Guterres, have confirmed attendance at the three-day summit, which is expected to see deals worth millions of dollars.
The cancellation of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar’s visit to Nairobi comes at a time when the government is facing widespread public anger over inflation and rising energy prices.
Protests have been held across the country in recent days after the hike in petroleum prices on August 17 and due to higher electricity bills this month and a shutter down strike on September 2.
After this week’s hike in Pakistan, petrol and diesel prices have crossed Rs 300 per liter for the first time in the country’s history.
Public anxiety has grown since the signing of a $3 billion deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in June this year to stave off bankruptcy due to decades of mismanagement and instability.
The IMF demanded that subsidies be reduced and a levy of Rs 50 per liter of petroleum products be imposed to reduce costs.
Other conditions include additional revenue generation and the adoption of a market-based currency exchange rate, which has fueled inflation in Pakistan, which reached a peak of 27.4 percent in August and 38 percent in May.
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#Unavoidable #engagements #Caretaker #Kenya #climate #summit
**Interview with Climate Policy Expert Dr. Farah Khan on Pakistan’s Absence at the African Climate Summit**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Khan. Today, we are discussing Pakistan’s recent cancellation of Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar’s participation in the African Climate Summit. Can you shed some light on the potential implications of this decision?
**Dr. Khan:** Thank you for having me. The cancellation of Prime Minister Kakar’s visit to the African Climate Summit is indeed significant for Pakistan. The summit is a crucial platform for climate diplomacy, especially with the upcoming COP28 summit. By not attending, Pakistan misses an opportunity to strengthen its ties with African nations and showcase its commitment to climate action.
**Editor:** The Foreign Office mentioned that the visit was initially aligned with Pakistan’s proactive climate diplomacy. In your opinion, how does this absence affect Pakistan’s international climate standing?
**Dr. Khan:** Pakistan has been vocal about its vulnerabilities to climate change, and attending conferences like this would have positioned it as a leader in advocating for climate justice, particularly for developing nations. Not being present could send a message that Pakistan is less engaged in global climate discussions, which can impact its influence in negotiations.
**Editor:** The summit is also expected to foster collaborations between African nations and global leaders. What could be the long-term repercussions for Pakistan’s bilateral relations with African countries?
**Dr. Khan:** It’s critical for Pakistan to engage with Africa, especially as many African states hold significant renewable energy potential and resources. Not participating could delay potential partnerships in areas such as technology transfer and climate financing. Over time, this might lead to strained relations or missed collaborations that could benefit both regions.
**Editor:** Caretaker Minister Murtaza Solangi cited “unavoidable domestic engagements” as the reason for the cancellation. How do domestic issues intersect with international responsibilities for countries like Pakistan?
**Dr. Khan:** Domestic challenges are always a priority, especially with the economic situation in Pakistan. However, balancing these responsibilities with international commitments is essential. Climate change is a global issue, and leadership in international forums can sometimes yield domestic benefits, such as attracting investments and international aid.
**Editor:** Lastly, what message do you think this sends to the global community regarding Pakistan’s approach to climate change?
**Dr. Khan:** This could be interpreted in various ways. On one hand, it could be viewed as a country focused on urgent domestic matters; on the other, it may be seen as a lack of prioritization of climate issues on the global stage. Moving forward, Pakistan needs to communicate a clear strategy on integrating its domestic policies with robust international climate commitments.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Khan, for your insights on this important issue. It will be interesting to see how Pakistan navigates its climate diplomacy in the future.
**Dr. Khan:** Thank you for having me. I hope we see a renewed focus on international engagement moving forward.
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Khan. Today, we are discussing Pakistan’s recent cancellation of Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar’s participation in the African Climate Summit. Can you shed some light on the potential implications of this decision?
**Dr. Khan:** Thank you for having me. The cancellation of Prime Minister Kakar’s visit to the African Climate Summit is indeed significant for Pakistan. The summit is a crucial platform for climate diplomacy, especially with the upcoming COP28 summit. By not attending, Pakistan misses an opportunity to strengthen its ties with African nations and showcase its commitment to climate action.
**Editor:** The Foreign Office mentioned that the visit was initially aligned with Pakistan’s proactive climate diplomacy. In your opinion, how does this absence affect Pakistan’s international climate standing?
**Dr. Khan:** Pakistan has been vocal about its vulnerabilities to climate change, and attending conferences like this would have positioned it as a leader in advocating for climate justice, particularly for developing nations. Not being present could send a message that Pakistan is less engaged in global climate discussions, which can impact its influence in negotiations.
**Editor:** The summit is also expected to foster collaborations between African nations and global leaders. What could be the long-term repercussions for Pakistan’s bilateral relations with African countries?
**Dr. Khan:** It’s critical for Pakistan to engage with Africa, especially as many African states hold significant renewable energy potential and resources. Not participating could delay potential partnerships in areas such as technology transfer and climate financing. Over time, this might lead to strained relations or missed collaborations that could benefit both regions.
**Editor:** Caretaker Minister Murtaza Solangi cited “unavoidable domestic engagements” as the reason for the cancellation. Given the current socio-economic issues in Pakistan, such as inflation and public unrest, could this decision be seen as prioritizing domestic stability over international engagement?
**Dr. Khan:** Absolutely. The government’s focus on addressing immediate domestic challenges is understandable, yet it raises questions about long-term strategic planning. While domestic stability is crucial, neglecting international platforms like the African Climate Summit might hinder Pakistan’s ability to secure international support and resources needed for its own climate initiatives. It’s a delicate balance that they need to navigate carefully.
**Editor:** Dr. Khan, thank you for your insightful analysis on this situation. It will be interesting to see how Pakistan navigates its domestic challenges while striving to maintain its international commitments in climate diplomacy.
**Dr. Khan:** Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing how this unfolds.
