Shehbaz Sharif Returns to Pakistan After COP31, Pushes for Debt-Free Climate Funding
PM Shehbaz Returns Home After Türkiye Visit, Calls for Urgent Climate Funding at COP31
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has returned to Pakistan after a three-day visit to Türkiye, where he highlighted the country’s climate vulnerabilities and called on the international community to provide financial assistance without adding to the debt burden of developing nations.
The prime minister departed from Antalya on Thursday after participating in the COP31 Leaders’ Summit and holding bilateral discussions with several international leaders. Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Environment, Hasan Suver, saw him off at Antalya Airport.
Pakistan Seeks Climate Support Without Additional Debt
Speaking at the global climate gathering, Shehbaz Sharif stressed that countries suffering the consequences of climate change should not be forced to take on additional loans to protect their populations and economies.
He advocated grant-based climate financing, stronger public-private partnerships and increased funding for climate adaptation and resilience programmes.
Referring to Pakistan’s devastating 2022 floods, the prime minister said approximately 33 million people were affected by the disaster. He highlighted the contrast between Pakistan’s limited contribution to global carbon emissions, which remains below one per cent, and its exposure to increasingly severe climate threats.
He called for COP31 to be judged by measurable progress and concrete results rather than announcements and political promises.
Erdogan Meeting Focuses on Economic and Strategic Cooperation
During his stay in Antalya, Shehbaz Sharif met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss ways of expanding bilateral relations.
Their discussions covered trade, investment, defence cooperation, energy and regional connectivity. Both leaders emphasised the need to accelerate ongoing projects and translate existing agreements into practical outcomes.
Erdogan also acknowledged Pakistan’s diplomatic and mediation efforts that contributed to the signing of the Islamabad MoU.
Pakistan and Finland Explore New Partnership Opportunities
In a separate meeting, the prime minister held talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, expressing Pakistan’s desire to expand cooperation with Finland in several emerging sectors.
The proposed areas included investment, trade, education, professional skills, technological development, climate resilience and people-to-people engagement.
Shehbaz Sharif also reiterated his invitation to the Finnish president to visit Pakistan.
He separately engaged with the presidents of Iran and Iraq, as well as Sudan’s Sovereignty Council Chairman, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
Iran and Pakistan Reaffirm Regional Cooperation
During his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, both leaders reaffirmed their close bilateral relationship and exchanged views on the evolving regional situation.
Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives aimed at supporting regional peace and security.
Clean Energy and Nuclear Power in Focus
Pakistan’s clean energy transition also featured prominently during the prime minister’s participation in a high-level session titled “Clean Energy Transition by 2035: Powering the Future.”
Shehbaz Sharif informed participants that clean energy sources account for nearly 55 per cent of Pakistan’s energy mix.
He also referred to the inauguration of a major section of the country’s seventh nuclear power plant shortly before his departure for Türkiye. The facility is expected to add 1,200 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.
Pakistan Showcases Climate Initiatives at COP31
A dedicated Pakistan Pavilion was established at the summit venue, with 54 events planned to highlight the country’s climate priorities, initiatives and opportunities for international collaboration.
The prime minister was accompanied by Senator Sherry Rehman, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Adviser Tariq Fatemi.
His visit reinforced Pakistan’s diplomatic push for climate justice, affordable financing, clean energy investment and stronger international partnerships to address the growing challenges of climate change.
