*G-20 debt relief timely initiative taken amid Covid-19 challenge
Appreciating the G-20 debt relief initiative, Prime Minister Imran Khan observed that the G-20 relief was a timely initiative that complemented the attempts to cope with the Covid-19 challenge. However, PM urged that that the facility may be more extended to provide greater space to the developing states fighting the pandemic in order for them to concentrate their resources on offering relief to their people. PM Imran Khan was chairing a meeting held to review Pakistan’s external inflows and outflows with special reference to the support received by the country from various development partners to cope with the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. The meeting was attended by Minister for Economic Affairs Division Makhdoom Khusru Bakhtiar, Secretary EAD Noor Ahmed and senior officials.
Matters of external inflows and outflow situation of Pakistan, Covid-19 financing from development partners, G-20 debt relief and possible scenarios for engaging friendly states for debt-for-development swaps were discussed in the meeting. Imran Khan also said effective domestic revenue mobilisation, better fiscal and debt management, reforms in energy sector and financial sector and enhancing investment climate in Pakistan were key priorities of the present government. He also directed to explore opportunities for debt for development swaps so that the process of socio-economic development could be stimulated. Furthermore, he also appreciated the international community for their optimistic response in the wake of the corona pandemic.
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On the other hand, the government of Pakistan is committed to furthering its human rights commitments for the benefit of people, Prime Minister Imran Khan said.
“We have enacted a law to ensure women’s right to inheritance; are committed to enforcing laws against child labour & in support of transgenders; filling in legislative gaps counting on torture, protection of journalists & media professionals & our other human rights commitments,” he tweeted. PM also said the European Union (EU) has already appreciated the government’s green initiatives, counting Billion Tree Tsunami and Human Rights National Action Plan. Earlier, on May 7, Prime Minister Khan had expressed satisfaction on the growing momentum in Pakistan-EU bilateral relations. Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Pakistan Ms. Androulla Kaminara called on the prime minister and briefed him on measures by the EU to strengthen Pakistan’s response to COVID-19 pandemic. The Ambassador highlighted that EU has assigned 153 million Dollars to support Pakistan in this regard.