Pakistan’s foreign minister says his country is facing 'a perfect storm' of troubles — an economic crisis, the consequences of catastrophic flooding, and terrorism as a result of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
Catch up on the developing stories making headlines.Pakistan’s foreign minister said Thursday his country is facing “a perfect storm” of troubles — an economic crisis, the consequences of catastrophic flooding, and terrorism “that is once again rearing its ugly head” as a result of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
Zardari said his party supports expanding revenue collection and believes those who are well off should pay more, but he said Pakistan has been unable to achieve structural tax reform “for the last 23 IMF programs that we have been a part of.” Economically, he said, Pakistan had been able to keep its head above water despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the August 2021 Taliban seizure of power in Afghanistan, inflation and supply chain disruptions. But then last summer’s floods killed 1,739 people, destroyed 2 million homes and caused $30 billion in damage — “the biggest, most devastating climate catastrophe that we’ve ever experienced,” he said.
To meet its energy needs and provide relief to people paying for expensive imported fuel, he said, “we are looking to work with anyone, including Russia, to meet our energy needs.” He added that he believes there is now space for imports from Russia within the U.S. price cap. “We are on a healthy trajectory,” he said Thursday, pointing to talks on climate, health, technology and trade.
Zardari said Pakistan would like to see the Taliban take action against all terrorist groups, including those linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic state. But he said there are questions about the Taliban's capacity to combat these groups because it doesn’t have a standing army, a counter-terrosim force or an effective border management force.
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