Home / International / Pakistan and Switzerland inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Saturday in Bhurban, solidifying their commitment to foster cooperation in the domain of disaster management. The agreement was formally signed by Switzerland Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, who is on a visit to Pakistan, and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik. The signing ceremony took place in Bhurban. Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman, other ministers, and officials of relevant authorities were present on the occasion. During the MoU signing ceremony, the prime minister expressed anticipation for Swiss cooperation in obtaining an advanced warning system and other essential devices to enhance Pakistan’s preparedness against natural disasters. He emphasised the importance of securing the nation “to the maximum extent possible” through collaborative efforts with Switzerland. He hailed the MoU between Pakistan and Switzerland on disaster management as a crucial step that would foster cooperation between the two nations, enabling them to utilise technology and expertise collaboratively in addressing natural calamities in the future. Despite Pakistan’s minimal carbon emissions, the prime minister reaffirmed that the country was grappling with the consequences of global climate change. PM Shehbaz expressed the desire to strengthen bilateral relations with Switzerland, particularly in areas such as tourism, owing to Pakistan’s abundant natural beauty. Commending the Swiss foreign minister’s remarks on regional peace, the prime minister highlighted the significance of maintaining peace in the region and recognised Switzerland’s potential to act as a catalyst in promoting peace. Furthermore, he reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to promoting progress, prosperity, and addressing issues such as unemployment, poverty, education, information technology, industry, women empowerment, and agriculture for the betterment of its people. He highlighted that it is crucial for the other side to recognise that Pakistan cannot afford regional tensions and is committed to utilizing its resources for development. He stressed the need for them to invest their resources in their own countries. Additionally, the prime minister reiterated that the resolution of long-standing issues, including Kashmir, is vital for achieving lasting peace in the region. In his remarks, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis underscored the crucial nature of the MoU signing between the two countries, emphasising its significance in fostering collaboration against climate change. Acknowledging Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, he highlighted the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters, as evidenced by the previous year’s devastating floods and widespread displacement. Cassis stressed the urgent need for international cooperation to effectively mitigate the risks associated with these natural catastrophes. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and pooling resources in this field of disaster management. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the two countries during the devastating floods in Pakistan from 2010 to 2022, noting that the Swiss government promptly provided emergency aid and assistance to the affected population. The foreign minister expressed readiness to tackle new challenges in disaster management that transcend borders, emphasising the necessity for global unity and collective efforts. Later, PM Shehbaz tweeted that he was “delighted” to receive the Swiss foreign minister. “We had a productive discussion on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, climate change, disaster management, risk reduction and early warning, higher education and building tourism infrastructure,” he said, appreciating Switzerland’s advocacy for climate-responsible sustainable development.

Pakistan and Switzerland inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Saturday in Bhurban, solidifying their commitment to foster cooperation in the domain of disaster management. The agreement was formally signed by Switzerland Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, who is on a visit to Pakistan, and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik. The signing ceremony took place in Bhurban. Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman, other ministers, and officials of relevant authorities were present on the occasion. During the MoU signing ceremony, the prime minister expressed anticipation for Swiss cooperation in obtaining an advanced warning system and other essential devices to enhance Pakistan’s preparedness against natural disasters. He emphasised the importance of securing the nation “to the maximum extent possible” through collaborative efforts with Switzerland. He hailed the MoU between Pakistan and Switzerland on disaster management as a crucial step that would foster cooperation between the two nations, enabling them to utilise technology and expertise collaboratively in addressing natural calamities in the future. Despite Pakistan’s minimal carbon emissions, the prime minister reaffirmed that the country was grappling with the consequences of global climate change. PM Shehbaz expressed the desire to strengthen bilateral relations with Switzerland, particularly in areas such as tourism, owing to Pakistan’s abundant natural beauty. Commending the Swiss foreign minister’s remarks on regional peace, the prime minister highlighted the significance of maintaining peace in the region and recognised Switzerland’s potential to act as a catalyst in promoting peace. Furthermore, he reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to promoting progress, prosperity, and addressing issues such as unemployment, poverty, education, information technology, industry, women empowerment, and agriculture for the betterment of its people. He highlighted that it is crucial for the other side to recognise that Pakistan cannot afford regional tensions and is committed to utilizing its resources for development. He stressed the need for them to invest their resources in their own countries. Additionally, the prime minister reiterated that the resolution of long-standing issues, including Kashmir, is vital for achieving lasting peace in the region. In his remarks, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis underscored the crucial nature of the MoU signing between the two countries, emphasising its significance in fostering collaboration against climate change. Acknowledging Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, he highlighted the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters, as evidenced by the previous year’s devastating floods and widespread displacement. Cassis stressed the urgent need for international cooperation to effectively mitigate the risks associated with these natural catastrophes. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and pooling resources in this field of disaster management. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the two countries during the devastating floods in Pakistan from 2010 to 2022, noting that the Swiss government promptly provided emergency aid and assistance to the affected population. The foreign minister expressed readiness to tackle new challenges in disaster management that transcend borders, emphasising the necessity for global unity and collective efforts. Later, PM Shehbaz tweeted that he was “delighted” to receive the Swiss foreign minister. “We had a productive discussion on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, climate change, disaster management, risk reduction and early warning, higher education and building tourism infrastructure,” he said, appreciating Switzerland’s advocacy for climate-responsible sustainable development.

July 8, 2023 International Comments Off on Pakistan and Switzerland inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Saturday in Bhurban, solidifying their commitment to foster cooperation in the domain of disaster management. The agreement was formally signed by Switzerland Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, who is on a visit to Pakistan, and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik. The signing ceremony took place in Bhurban. Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman, other ministers, and officials of relevant authorities were present on the occasion. During the MoU signing ceremony, the prime minister expressed anticipation for Swiss cooperation in obtaining an advanced warning system and other essential devices to enhance Pakistan’s preparedness against natural disasters. He emphasised the importance of securing the nation “to the maximum extent possible” through collaborative efforts with Switzerland. He hailed the MoU between Pakistan and Switzerland on disaster management as a crucial step that would foster cooperation between the two nations, enabling them to utilise technology and expertise collaboratively in addressing natural calamities in the future. Despite Pakistan’s minimal carbon emissions, the prime minister reaffirmed that the country was grappling with the consequences of global climate change. PM Shehbaz expressed the desire to strengthen bilateral relations with Switzerland, particularly in areas such as tourism, owing to Pakistan’s abundant natural beauty. Commending the Swiss foreign minister’s remarks on regional peace, the prime minister highlighted the significance of maintaining peace in the region and recognised Switzerland’s potential to act as a catalyst in promoting peace. Furthermore, he reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to promoting progress, prosperity, and addressing issues such as unemployment, poverty, education, information technology, industry, women empowerment, and agriculture for the betterment of its people. He highlighted that it is crucial for the other side to recognise that Pakistan cannot afford regional tensions and is committed to utilizing its resources for development. He stressed the need for them to invest their resources in their own countries. Additionally, the prime minister reiterated that the resolution of long-standing issues, including Kashmir, is vital for achieving lasting peace in the region. In his remarks, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis underscored the crucial nature of the MoU signing between the two countries, emphasising its significance in fostering collaboration against climate change. Acknowledging Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, he highlighted the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters, as evidenced by the previous year’s devastating floods and widespread displacement. Cassis stressed the urgent need for international cooperation to effectively mitigate the risks associated with these natural catastrophes. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and pooling resources in this field of disaster management. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the two countries during the devastating floods in Pakistan from 2010 to 2022, noting that the Swiss government promptly provided emergency aid and assistance to the affected population. The foreign minister expressed readiness to tackle new challenges in disaster management that transcend borders, emphasising the necessity for global unity and collective efforts. Later, PM Shehbaz tweeted that he was “delighted” to receive the Swiss foreign minister. “We had a productive discussion on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, climate change, disaster management, risk reduction and early warning, higher education and building tourism infrastructure,” he said, appreciating Switzerland’s advocacy for climate-responsible sustainable development. 28 Views

A senior US diplomat will travel to India in the coming days and engage with its civil society over free speech and marginalisation of minorities, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent US visit when he denied that abuse of religious minorities existed in his country.

Uzra Zeya, US undersecretary of state for democracy and human rights, will also meet with Indian government officials to discuss “global challenges, democracy, regional stability, and cooperation on humanitarian relief,” the State Department said in a statement on Friday.

Zeya’s upcoming trip follows a June visit by Modi to the United States, where President Joe Biden rolled the red carpet for him even as activists decried what they saw as a deterioration of human rights in India under Modi’s watch.

Biden and Modi touted deals on defence and commerce aimed at countering China’s global influence.

Biden said he discussed human rights with Modi but he did not publicly criticise Modi, his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or India’s government on the topic.

Zeya will also visit Bangladesh on her trip from July 8 to July 14.

“In both countries, Under Secretary Zeya will engage with civil society organisations on freedom of expression and association, and inclusion of women and girls, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups, including marginalised religious and ethnic minorities,” the State Department said.

During his US visit, Modi denied that abuse of religious minorities existed in India, a claim that activists called a lie and said was contradicted by documentation from human rights advocates.

The State Department has raised occasional concern over human rights in India but criticism of India by the US is not vocal due to close economic ties between the countries and New Delhi’s importance for Washington to counter China, political analysts say.

In reports released this year on human rights and religious freedom, the State Department raised concerns over the treatment of Muslims, Hindu Dalits, Christians and other religious minorities in India while also noting a crackdown on journalists and dissidents.

India has slid in the World Press Freedom Index to 161st this year, its lowest point. India also leads the list for the highest number of government-imposed internet shutdowns globally.

The UN human rights office described a 2019 citizenship law as “fundamentally discriminatory” for excluding Muslim migrants. Critics have also pointed to anti-conversion legislation that challenged the constitutionally protected right to freedom of belief and the revoking of Muslim-majority Kashmir’s special status in 2019 as well.

There has also been the demolition of properties owned by Muslims in the name of removing illegal construction and a ban on wearing the hijab in classrooms in Karnataka when the BJP was in power in that state.

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