ISLAMABAD: Pakistan expressed dissatisfaction on Tuesday over the lack of foreign assistance for reconstructing infrastructure and means of subsistence in the wake of the catastrophic floods of 2022, which resulted in losses to the country’s economy and damages exceeding $30 billion.
International organizations, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations, and European Union, estimated the total damages and economic losses following the floods to be more than $14.9 billion and $15.2 billion, respectively, shortly after they occurred. These organizations issued warnings about social and economic difficulties if the world community did not encourage healing and rehabilitation.
After Pakistan demanded “climate justice”—that is, funding for rehabilitation and attempts to adapt to climate change—the international community eventually gave over $10.8 billion in financial support to help the government build resilience and get the populace back on its feet.
Pakistan is unhappy after two years, as by May of this year, only $2.8 billion has been disbursed, or less than 26% of the $10.8 billion committed. Furthermore, more than $1 billion of this sum was obtained by repurposing previous pledges for alternative uses.
Of the $10.8 billion committed, only $2.8 billion had been paid out by May of this year.
Ahsan Iqbal, the minister of planning and development, brought up the matter with Chen Chen, the director of ADB’s transport sector, at a meeting. He pointed out that the floods of 2022 caused damage totaling $30 billion.
According to an official statement, Mr. Iqbal “lamented the inadequate international response, noting that critical programmes in education, health, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) had to be repurposed to address flood relief efforts.”
It further stated that the minister “emphasized that Pakistan should not bear the brunt of conventional financing losses resulting from these disasters, particularly given that the country did not receive adequate support from nations accountable for escalating climate change.”
Anwaarul Haq Kakar, the former caretaker prime minister, had earlier in September 2023 reminded the world community of its unfulfilled promise to provide aid for flood-related causes. Ahad Cheema, the minister of economic affairs, brought up the issue with development partners in June of this year.
Waqas Anwar, the member for infrastructure, and top officials from the infrastructure department represented the Ministry of Planning, while Mr. Chen headed the ADB team, which also comprised senior officers and specialists from the Transport Sector Group. The discussion centered on the difficulties facing the sector, future development goals, and ADB’s continued support for Pakistan’s transportation industry.
Mr. Iqbal emphasized the need of road and rail connection projects in Pakistan at the discussion, pointing out that the nation is completing a comprehensive multi-modal plan for regional connectivity. In this context, he expressed his gratitude for ADB’s participation, saying it will significantly improve the job Pakistan had already finished.
Mr. Iqbal emphasized the need of giving connection projects that support the National Reforms Agenda first priority and stressed Pakistan’s strong desire in utilizing contemporary technologies to increase the capacity of its railways. In addition, he called for the resumption and examination of a number of significant transportation, maritime, and rail-related projects that had been authorized in 2018 but had been shelved by the previous administration.
The team from Pakistan also suggested that the ADB set up a system for exchanging knowledge so that other nations could readily access its models and experiences. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to working together on future initiatives in this field and went into great detail about the Multi-Tranche Financing Facility for road projects.
