Shafaqna Pakistan: Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, warned on Sunday that the ongoing US-Iran conflict and the resulting disruptions in global energy supplies are creating inflationary pressures across developing countries.
He made these remarks while addressing a special meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held on Saturday to discuss safeguarding global energy and supply flows.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that ECOSOC should utilise its charter mandate to actively engage international financial institutions and relevant organisations in order to ensure a coordinated global response for countries most affected by the crisis.
He further stated that such measures could include providing rapid access to external financing for essential imports through emergency funding mechanisms and crisis response facilities, as well as offering debt relief to vulnerable developing economies.
The ambassador noted that Pakistan is among the most severely affected countries due to the US-Iran conflict. He added that the crisis has led to abrupt fuel shortages, surging prices and inflationary pressures on millions of households across the country.
Ahmad said Islamabad’s investment in and the growth of the solar sector in Pakistan have helped mitigate the energy shock to “some extent.”
“But the impacts extend well beyond energy,” he said. “Fertilizer prices have spiked, threatening food security and remittance inflows are declining.”
The Pakistani envoy urged the world to pool its efforts to bring an end to the conflict through a peaceful settlement.
“Restraint that diplomacy and dialogue must prevail,” Ahmad said.
“Pakistan has actively engaged in such efforts and remains committed to playing its constructive role in promoting dialogue and supporting all efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace.”
Source: Dunya News
