At a World Economic Forum (WEF) session on global health in Riyadh, The prime minister highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic, which struck just a few years prior, laid bare the stark inequalities in access to healthcare and distribution of vaccines between nations. He emphasized that the pandemic disproportionately affected countries in the Global South, exacerbating existing disparities and leaving millions vulnerable to its ravages.
Moreover, Prime Minister Shehbaz pointed to the intersectionality of health and climate change, noting how environmental crises further compound the challenges faced by developing nations. Citing Pakistan’s own experiences, he lamented the devastating impact of climate-induced disasters, such as the catastrophic floods of 2022, which wreaked havoc on infrastructure and necessitated costly rehabilitation efforts.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s predicament, the prime minister questioned the feasibility of shouldering the financial burdens imposed by such crises, particularly in the absence of adequate resources. He highlighted the dilemma faced by developing countries like Pakistan, forced to resort to expensive loans to fund essential recovery efforts.
