Should not be forced to take 'begging bowl' to rich nations, says PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Pakistan should not be forced to go out with a “begging bowl” to rich polluting nations after severe floods devastated the country.

In an interview with British publication The Guardian, the premier said that he would be seeking “climate justice” from the international community.

PM Shehbaz warned that Pakistan faced an unprecedented crisis of health, food security and internal displacement after the “apocalyptic” monsoon rains put a third of Pakistan under water.

He reiterated that it was the “responsibility of the developed countries, who caused these emissions, to stand by us”, as Pakistan is only responsible for 0.8% of global carbon emissions.

“I’ve never seen this kind of devastation, inundation and suffering of our people in my lifetime. Millions have been displaced, they have become climate refugees within their own country”, he said.

According to the prime minister, the pledged funds and aid from the global community were “not enough”.

“The enormity of this climate-induced catastrophe is beyond our fiscal means,” he stated, adding that the gap between the nation’s needs and resources was widening by the day.

The damage cost was approximated to be between $30 billion and $35 billion but Shehbaz said the figures were “a rough estimate, it could be more”, with more than 30,000 kilometres of roads destroyed along with bridges, railways and power lines, as well as crops washed away.

He emphasised that he was talking about “climate justice”.

Read Flood losses may cross $40b

“We are not blaming anybody, we’re not casting allegations, what we are we saying is this is not of our making but we have become a victim. Should I be asked to cast my appeal into a begging bowl? That is double jeopardy. That’s unjust, unfair.”

PM Shehbaz said that while he was grateful for the “very touching words and statements” of foreign leaders including US President Joe Biden and UN chief Antonio Guterres, “practical demonstration of these statements into action” was more important.

“While they are doing a very good job, and we appreciate it, this is not enough. They must come forward with a far better and a far bigger plan to rescue us and rehabilitate us and put us back on our footing”, he said.

The premier highlighted the unfulfilled promise made by wealthy nations over a decade ago to commit $100 billion a year to a climate fund for less developed nations for the climate emergency.

“Where’s that money?” he asked, claiming that it was high time those countries were questioned and reminded to fulfil their pledges.

“We’re not asking about reparations,” he said.

“I don’t think talk of reparations is proper at this point in time. What I am saying is that they should take notice of the situation, take responsibility and act speedily before it’s too late, before the damage becomes irreparable – not just for Pakistan, but for the world”.

Commenting on the critiques of his government’s flood relief efforts, PM Shehbaz conceded that “because of the vastness of the problem, we have not been able to do the job so far as it should have been done”.

“Look at the distances alone. Some of these areas were cut off completely”, he maintained.

He was adamant that the Benazir income support programme (BISP) being used to disburse the flood relief funds was known for its transparency.

Debt relief

The prime minister insisted that with billions in upcoming foreign debt repayments, and the billions more now in flood damages, Pakistan had averted default through the IMF deal, and would still be able to service the rest of its foreign debt payments.

“No way. We will not default”, he said.

PM Shehbaz confirmed his government would be talking to “everybody” – including China and the Paris Club – about the possibility of foreign debt moratorium.

Read more UN launches revised flash appeal for floods

“What we are asking for is fiscal space but not through the burden of more debt”, he added.

However, the newly reappointed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in a separate interview said that he was “reluctant” to turn to the Paris Club, a collective of nations that helps countries struggling with debt.

“If the global community cooperates, donates and helps with the reconstruction, then I think we can avoid it”, said Dar.

“Going to the Paris Club is not a very comfortable feeling so I hope we will not have to resort to it”, the finance minister said.