Pakistan committed to promoting safe, sustainable and environment-friendly transportation system, The President

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to fostering the establishment of a safe, sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly transportation system within the nation. He noted that Pakistan would collaborate closely with China to achieve sustainable development objectives that would herald a new era of peace and prosperity. The President conveyed these sentiments while addressing the Global Sustainable Transport Forum-2024 via a video message, which took place in Beijing from 25-26 September 2024.

In his remarks to the Forum, the President stressed the necessity for resilient infrastructure to support efficient, environmentally friendly, and low-carbon transportation solutions that cater to the needs of the populace. He commended China’s pivotal role in promoting and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly acknowledging the essential significance of the transportation sector.

In discussing government initiatives, the President informed the Forum that Pakistan had launched pink buses specifically for women, aiming to provide a safe, comfortable, and accessible public transportation option. He further emphasized that rural access to all-weather roads in Pakistan has seen substantial improvements, reaching 92%. Enhanced rural accessibility could significantly aid in promoting sustainable development while delivering essential services to the rural population, he added.

The President informed attendees that Pakistan is grappling with the challenges of sustainably maintaining its infrastructure and addressing the impacts of climate change. He pointed out that over the past five years, devastating floods, heavy rains, and extreme weather conditions have severely impacted Pakistan’s transport infrastructure, including roads, railways, bridges, and other vital networks, isolating millions, especially in rural areas.

The President expressed that Pakistan highly values China’s contributions to fostering sustainable development and its role in regional and global economic growth. He stated that Pakistan supports the development of sustainable transport cooperation among the Transport Authorities of Member States and praised the initiatives undertaken by China under President Xi’s leadership.