Islamabad, Sep 26 (UNI) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan called on developed countries and international money lenders to extend and expand debt suspension for developing countries in order to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Debt relief is one of the best ways to create needed fiscal space for developing countries," Khan said while virtually addressing the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly Friday night, adding that his country appreciates the G20's official debt suspension initiative and the emergency and rapid financing offered by international lenders, but it is still not enough for developing countries facing the pandemic.

The prime minister said that the lockdown to control the pandemic has badly affected the global economy and "hit the poorest countries the hardest as well as the poor in all the countries."
Talking about the measures taken by his government to control the pandemic, Khan said they adopted a policy of smart lockdown by concentrating on the coronavirus hotspots as a complete lockdown could have taken a serious toll on the financial condition of the poor and labor class of the country.

"Despite financial constraints, my government deployed an unprecedented eight billion dollars for our health services, plus support the poorest and most vulnerable households with direct cash payments." Xinhua quoted him saying.

He said that by taking effective measures in the health and economic sector, his country not only managed to control the virus, but also stabilised the economy, besides saving the poorest segment of the society from the worst fallout of the lockdown.

Speaking about the role of the United Nations to address international conflicts, Khan said that "it remains the best legitimate avenue for collective action in managing international conflicts, fostering peace and security, promoting equitable development and addressing global problems."

He said Pakistan favors peace and stability and it is the country's foreign policy that aims to have peace with neighbors and settle disputes through dialogue.

"We believe that the driving force in international relations must be cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, and not confrontation and force. We all must emphatically reaffirm our support for multilateralism," Khan said.

He added that his country will endeavor to build a world where conflict is outlawed and equitable prosperity for all is pursued.
UNI XC-RHK0850