UN 'Will Go On Strongly Advocating Debt Swaps' For Pakistan With IMF, WB.

KARACHI -- Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres has said that UN will strongly advocate for 'debt swaps', with IMF and World Bank through which developing countries like Pakistan instead of paying a debt to foreign creditors will be able to use that money to invest in climate resilience, investments in sustainable infrastructure, and green transition of their economies.

He said, 'We will go on strongly advocating for these solutions in the meetings with IMF and World Bank, which will take place soon. And, also in G-20 meeting.' He stated this while talking to media persons on his arrival at old airport Karachi here on Saturday. PPP chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah among others were also present on the occasion.

UN chief said that he had been strongly advocating for, what they could call 'debt swaps' and that was exactly Pakistan needed. 'Instead of paying the debts being able to invest that money in what the country requires,' he said. Antonio Guterres called upon the international community to scale up their support for flood-hit Pakistan.

He said, 'We see here in Pakistan, the nature is striking back with devastating consequences,' adding, 'I have seen many disasters in the world but I have never seen climate carnage on these scales.' 'I have simply no words to describe what I have seen today,' UN chief said.

He said that he had seen from emergence workers to ordinary people, who were helping their neighbourers in this time of difficulty. He further said that families had lost their houses, the farmers had lost their crops and their livestock.

'The most emotional moment for me during this visit was to listen to a group of women and men they have sacrificed their possessions, there was possibility of rescue,' he said.

UN secretary general said, 'The poor people have touched me deeply.' 'I want to pay tributes to gigantic efforts of the Pakistan authorities, civilian and military, national and regional.

Massive and urgent financial support for Pakistan was need of the hour, he said adding this is not the question of solidarity, generosity, but it is the question of justice.

Pakistan is paying the price of what I have seen, which is created by others. Climate Change caused by human activities is super charging storms and catastrophes, he added.

UN chief said that burning of...