Pakistan is set to receive Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland on Sunday, marking the beginning of her maiden official visit to the South Asian country. The visit lines up with the second anniversary of the devastating floods in 2022 that submerged a third of the country.
Patricia Scotland, a big supporter of helping Pakistan handle climate change, will meet top officials, politicians, youth leaders, and civil society members over the next five days. The talks will focus on important issues like climate change and youth empowerment, statements issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Commonwealth read. During her stay, the secretary-general will visit some of the flood-hit areas, getting a firsthand look at the challenges those communities are facing as they rebuild their lives.
Her presence there will likely rally international support for recovery and resilience projects, and will accelerate conversations about new ways for Pakistan and the Commonwealth to work together even more closely. This visit is being seen as a strong statement of the Commonwealth’s commitment to helping Pakistan rebuild. It could also encourage other Commonwealth nations to step up their contributions to Pakistan’s climate action efforts. The two sides will also explore ways to support Pakistan’s national development plans as well as empower its youth, besides boosting trade and investment.
Patricia Scotland’s visit will reaffirm Commonwealth’s commitment to democracy, human rights and shared development goals, and will strengthen Pakistan’s diplomatic standing
Since the Commonwealth has declared 2023-24 the ‘Year of Youth’, the two sides are likely to discuss opportunities available to youngsters through Commonwealth membership. According to the information provided, the secretary-general will get briefed on the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, which will highlight the role of youth in shaping the future of the Commonwealth as well as that of the world. Talks on boosting trade and investment will also be crucial, and they are likely to lead to new trade agreements, investment projects and partnerships, sparking economic growth in Pakistan.
All the talks on these key issues mean opening new markets and more opportunities for economic growth. The secretary-general’s visit will reaffirm the Commonwealth’s commitment to democracy, human rights and shared development goals. It will strengthen Pakistan’s diplomatic standing within the Commonwealth and globally. Pakistan, as a founding member, will showcase its progress and challenges, proving it is an active and cooperative member of the international community.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister’s Youth Program Chairman Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan met Patricia Scotland in London at the Commonwealth Secretariat. During the meeting, she praised Pakistan for securing the third spot on the global youth employability index, highlighting the country’s efforts in equipping its youth with the skills needed for the future. She acknowledged Pakistan’s minimal role in greenhouse gas emissions, and said that joint efforts were needed among Commonwealth countries for disaster management and relief.
She stressed the need for collaboration in youth education, especially in technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Rana Mashood Ahmad also brief the secretary-general on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s initiative to set up ‘Generation Unlimited’ and a National Youth Council. The council, made up of talented youth, will act as an advisory body, giving policy advice on youth empowerment. He informed her about the country’s dedication to the Commonwealth Sustainable Development Agenda, evident from its initiatives for education, youth skills development, women’s empowerment, health and climate change mitigation.
It may be mentioned here that climate change has deeply affected Pakistan, especially during the last five years. The country has faced hotter temperatures, leading to severe heatwaves, especially in cities like Karachi, which have led to many illnesses and even deaths. Moreover, the economy is also suffering because of the effects of climate change. Disasters have destroyed infrastructure, costing a lot of money to fix. The government had to spend more on emergency responses, for which funds had to be redirected. Although Pakistan is working hard to cope with these challenges, there is a greater need for global support to build a better, more resilient future.
