The residents and
expats rejoiced as news channels bombarded with joy. Happy days in Pakistan. The
four-day jaunt was a welcomed one as it exemplified the country’s continued march
to improve its image in the world. Indeed, remarkably news for everyone
attached to the heartland of over 200 million.
UN Chief Antonio
Guterres’ scheduled trip to Pakistan was from Sunday, 15th February
2020 to Wednesday,18th February 2020.He arrived to the country of hospitality
and warmth to pay gratitude for its efforts to maintain peace and establishing
goals to sustain climatic change.
His four days started
with his addressed to International Conference on 40
Years of Hosting Afghan Refugees in Pakistan: A New Partnership for Solidarity.
He delivered a
speech that won every Pakistani’s heart as he orated a story of success.
The UN Chief excellently put into words the efforts by Islamabad for its
dwindling environment.
Pakistan’s
once good deed, when the nation whole heartedly accepted the refugees of
Afghanistan and provided them with all necessary aid to establish their new
lives in the new country, while they themselves struggled with their own demons.
Afghani people were abandoned by their own country due to lack of resources and
proper structure to provide the standard of living after soviets left the
country in destitution.
Words
backed up by the actions are seldom found true but this country plagued by
domestic and international issues is managing it despite dwindling economic
fortunes. The deeds done with compassion and empathy were praised by the hearts
full of fondness.
After
approximately 40 years the endeavor was acknowledged by Antonio Guterres’ historic
words. They were aimed at boosting the morale of
Pakistani people and it hit the nerve it was supposed to.
“For
forty years, the people of Afghanistan have faced successive crises. For forty
years, the people of Pakistan have responded with solidarity. That generosity
now spans across decades and generations. This is the world’s largest
protracted refugee situation in recorded history. And this is also a story
close to my heart. Pakistan is still the second largest country refugees
hosting country.”
Guterres expressed
admiration for Pakistan’s efforts towards Sustainable development goals (SDG)
and climatic changes awareness. And these actions have not taken place in
isolation. Successive governments have considered SGD’s integral in their roadmap
for future although they have adopted differing point of views for the march
ahead on other objectives.
The current government
has made resolution of issues like unemployment through, and poverty as a
priority. Kamyab Jawan Program and Ehsaas Program, respectively, were launched
to tackle them on an urgent basis.
With dwindling
water resources and increasing impact of smog during the winters, climate
change has also found itself as a priority subject for Prime Minister Imran
Khan. The use of biodegradable bags, and the ten billion trees tsunami campaign
are active to achieve climatic sustainability in region.
These steps taken
by federal government have been lauded in the international arena and Guterres
was no different. This portrayal of Pakistan as he put in his experience was an
added star on the chest of the country.
The UN Chief shared
that health, poverty, employment especially job creation, skills development
and education and environment degradation issues are faced by almost every
country on the globe. And believes Islamabad is going in the right direction
with such initiatives that will help address the situation and aid in improving
them.
During his visit, the UN Chief met with
President ArifAlvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood
Qureshi and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa amongst
others. He discussed Pakistan’s efforts in keeping peace and their role in war
against terrorism. The tensions rising on the line of control were touched upon
and the way forward deliberated. Guterres echoed Islamabad’s sentiments as he remarked
that the matter should be solved according to UN resolutions.
HIV and Polio
remain endemics in Pakistan and the UN chief addressed the health issues faced
by the country. He was brought to speed on the steps taken to wholly eradicate these
from the face of country, and also took part in administering polio vaccination
drops at a local kindergarten school.
The students of a
private university had the honor of hosting the Secretary General in the final
leg of his tour, which also included tripsto historical landmarks, exhibiting
the rich culture.
His visits took him
to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahibm, a holy site for Sikhs. He acknowledged it as the
monument of compassion and respect that Pakistan holds for other religions. Guterres was informed on the Kartarpur initiative, which he declared
a “symbol of interfaith harmony, a unique experiment in cross-border ties”, and
“Pakistan’s commitment to peace”.
UN Chief tweeted,
“I concluded my visit to Pakistan after enjoying the rich history and vibrant
culture of Lahore — from the Lahore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the
majestic Badshahi mosque,” A tour that ended on such cheerful note.
For a country
devoid of acclaim despite its staunch fight against terrorism, the Portuguese’s
visit and words were much needed. Euphoric response from the people outpoured
after the refreshing encounter. In the times of continued struggle, it felt
like a bliss. And it highlighted their efforts aimed at safeguarding a better
world for future generations.
Australia burned
for over three months while the damage to Earth’s ecosystem from Amazon fires
have yet to be calculated. Increase in temperature and melting of ice caps are
not mere theories but matter of facts. Nether are the drying water reserves in
regions where these natural resources were plentiful. Californian droughts come
to mind.
It is the need of
the time to work on the global climatic crisis. It not only effects the quality
of the atmosphere we breath and live in as everything is at risk. Like
Pakistan, the sustainable development goals should be part of forthcoming plans
across the world. As we need to inflict the need of caring for the environment.
Climatic change
has grown into one of the major problems for every country regardless of their
economic conditions. Improvised and immediate measures need to be taken to
control this problem, or else we might find a new map of earth. Countries in
developing regions are at likelihood to be affected by the climatic change. In
these regions the local government is either not present or fails to understand
the amount of risk their country faces if not taken care of. Pakistan has shown
the roadmap. If a country battling on all front can prioritize and focus on it,
so can the rest of the world.
Pakistan have lost
ten thousand citizens due to it and the loss has not been swept out of public
perception. The government has taken steps towards climatic stability but more
drastic measures need to be taken if the state of affairs is not stemmed. The
Secretary General’s trip should not be remembered for the praise and gratitude he
showered but for the reasons he came.
With its
decreasing water resources and an ever-increasing population, stagnant
agricultural output and a developing economy, the country will be hard pressed
but should soldier on. Islamabad has taken steps in the right direction but it
is not the end of the road but the start of a journey.
