Tazeen Akhtar
Pakistan is expecting to turn the Geneva conference today into fund raising for flood devastated one third of the country but the signals are not in line with the expectations. Pakistan, earlier estimated the damage up to $30 Billion but seeks at least $16.3 Billion pledges from the conference and actually looks forward to $8 Billion for reconstruction in next 3 years. GoP is saying the other half will be allocated in its Budget while national foreign currency reserves are at about $5 Billion at present. The conference is the last hope for Pakistan as the government sees a light at the end of the dark tunnel of economic crisis deepening day by day.
Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the U.N and Knut Ostby, United Nations Development Program’s representative in Pakistan held a joint press conference few days ago in Geneva.
It was mainly to highlight the destruction of heavy rains and floods in last September. Facts and figures are already shared by the matter of fact is the water still has not been receded completely and next rains in coming June can play more havoc in already affected areas.
Pakistan is pleading financial help from donors but at the same time media persons are criticizing the government for taking 43 journalists on public tax money to Geneva for the coverage of the event. Now it is not the issue of financial bankruptcy only but the world especially the donors can take it as ethical bankruptcy as well.
Question rises that if you are out of funds how can you oblige your favorit journalists to travel abroad and stay in hotels with dollars as pocket money? Another point to understand is , it is not donors conference. Only government of Pakistan is using the word “Donors”. Actually it is just Geneva Conference where Pakistani flood is not the only topic to discuss but it is climate change as a whole.
Secretary General UN visited Pakistan and witnessed the damage himself. He called upon the big industrial countries to help Pakistan because the damage was caused by climate change for which they are responsible. He is present at the conference as key note speaker. It is no doubt a strong support for Pakistan. Lets see how much he can convince the donors in favor of Pakistan.
European Union and USA are busy in dealing with the issue of Russia-Ukraine for last 10 months. They are supporting Ukraine with funds and weapons. Most of European economies are themselves in crisis. Germany and France are the economic giants in EU. French President is also expected to speak in the conference. But international observers and media persons do not see any possibility of some major announcements what Pakistan is looking forward.
As long as, international financial bodies are concerned, Pakistan has already received the maximum concessions from most of them in shape of rescheduling and postponement of payments.
