PM Shehbaz to meet Trump today, attended UN climate event

NEW YORK: US President and Republican candidate Donald Trump will meet Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today (Thursday).

In this meeting, bilateral relations, regional security, the situation in Afghanistan, and trade cooperation will be discussed.

The meeting is taking place at a time when Pakistan-US relations are entering a new phase.

Factors such as the growing threat of terrorism in the region, the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, and tensions with India are making this conversation more important.

On the other hand, an official statement on this meeting has not been released by Pakistan yet; however, according to government sources, this meeting of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif can be helpful in further promoting Pakistan’s relations at the global level.

Climate pledges must be honoured: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called upon the international community to honour its commitment on climate finance, stressing that debt-driven finance cannot address the climate catastrophe confronting vulnerable nations like Pakistan.

“Loans over loans, adding to loans is not a solution,” the prime minister said while speaking at the Special Climate Event convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, along with the President of Brazil (COP-30 Host) for Member States to present new NDCs with 2035 targets.

He said Pakistan was willing and determined to be part of the solution to the climate crisis, hoping that the international community will also honour its commitment for the sake of the country’s future generations.

The prime minister reminded delegates that Pakistan was still reeling from the scars of the 2022 floods, which inflicted losses exceeding $30 billion and displaced millions. “This year, intense monsoon rains, cloudbursts, flash floods and devastating urban flooding have impacted more than five million people, destroyed 4,100 villages, and claimed over 1,000 precious lives,” he added.

Pakistan’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions

Highlighting Pakistan’s minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, the prime minister said Despite negligible contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, “We bear impacts far beyond our share.

However, he pointed out that our commitment to delivering on our climate agenda remained steadfast and unwavering.

“In our 2021 nationally determined contribution, Pakistan committed to an unconditional 15% reduction in projected greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.”

As part of the overall target of cutting emissions by 50%, he shared that Pakistan had already delivered on its unconditional pledge of a 15% reduction.

“Renewables are presently providing over 32% of Pakistan’s power mix. Solar energy has grown sevenfold since 2021,” the prime minister added.

Furthermore, he emphasized that 23,000 hectares of mangroves had been restored. “However, the implementation of Pakistan’s national adaptation plan is hampered severely due to inadequate international climate finance,” he regretted.

PM Shehbaz Sharif announced to increase the share of renewables and hydropower to 62% of the country’s energy mix by 2035,
expanding nuclear energy capacity by 1,200 megawatt by 2030, shifting 30% of transport to cleaner mobility by 2030, and establishing 3,000 charging stations nationwide, scaling up smart agriculture, safeguarding water security, and advancing the implementation of 1 billion trees.

PM participates in a meeting of GDI