Stockholm, 30 August 2022 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Sweden, Ann Linde, offered condolences on behalf of Sweden to the victims of flash floods in Pakistan. Minister Linde took to her Twitter to extend Sweden’s support to Pakistan in these tough times.
According to her, Sweden supports the humanitarian response through the United Nations and other NGOs. “Sweden stands ready to provide additional support to the people of Pakistan”, she added.
Our deepest condolences to the victims of flash floods that have caused devastating destruction in 🇵🇰 Pakistan. 🇸🇪 supports the humanitarian response, through @UN and NGOs. 🇸🇪 stands ready to provide additional support to the people of 🇵🇰. @BBhuttoZardari
— Ann Linde (@AnnLinde) August 29, 2022
Pakistan is grateful for the support and kind words of Sweden in these challenging times.
Flash Floods in Pakistan
The recent Monsoon rains in Pakistan have caused flash floods in different areas all over Pakistan. Mainly in the provinces of Baluchistan, KPK, and Sindh. These flash floods are the highest faced by Pakistan in the past three decades.
These floods have cost more than 1,000 innocent lives since June and have caused more than $10 billion worth of damage in these provinces.
According to an interview of Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate, Sherry Rehman, shared by her on her Twitter, this extreme weather event is a ‘climate catastrophe’.
More than 30 million people have been affected by these floods with around 1 million houses totally or partially damaged. This has left behind millions of people in need of urgent shelter.
Along with that, there has been massive damage to the infrastructure – especially in the areas of telecommunications, roads, agriculture, and livelihoods.
Also Read: Turkiye sends relief supplies to Pakistan following floods
Pakistan-Sweden bilateral relations
Sweden is an important trade partner of Pakistan in the European Union. During the last 25 years, the exports of Pakistan to Sweden have increased at an annualized rate of 3.15%, from $69.7M in 1995 to $151M in 2020.
Last year, in September, in a meeting with the former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister Linde discussed the advancement of the multilateral partnership between the states.
The Ministers also discussed the opportunities Pakistan’s industrial sector provides to Swedish businesses. They reiterated the importance of such opportunities in playing a major role in the advancement of bilateral relations.
