Islamabad, April 22, 2025: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for special financial support from international financial institutions to help Pakistan and other climate-vulnerable countries mitigate and adapt to the growing impacts of climate change.
Speaking during a meeting with Luc Triangle, Secretary General of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), at the Prime Minister House, Shehbaz Sharif stressed that Pakistan remains among the nations most severely affected by climate-related disasters. “The 2022 floods alone inflicted damages exceeding $30 billion,” he noted.
He emphasized that the climate crisis has not only devastated infrastructure but also disrupted livelihoods, with workers and laborers facing widespread employment challenges as a direct consequence.
The prime minister reiterated his government’s commitment to ensuring that climate adaptation and mitigation efforts in vulnerable communities also safeguard the economic well-being of disadvantaged populations. “We are working to align our climate initiatives with social protection, especially for the most economically at-risk groups,” he added.
Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the ITUC’s global advocacy for workers’ rights and reaffirmed Pakistan’s ongoing cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in protecting labor rights.
Highlighting government initiatives, he said efforts were underway to expand the reach of the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and the Workers Welfare Fund, aiming to extend coverage to a larger portion of Pakistan’s workforce.
He also pointed to the role of institutions such as the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and provincial Vocational Training Institutes in equipping the youth with market-relevant skills through targeted training programs.
ITUC Secretary General Luc Triangle praised Pakistan’s commitment to democratic values and welcomed the government’s initiatives for the welfare of workers and laborers. He also acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts in advancing labor protections despite facing climate and economic challenges.
The meeting was attended by ITUC Regional Secretary General Shoya Yoshida, as well as federal ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Minister of State Aun Chaudhry, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, and other senior officials.
