ISLAMABAD -UNS: Former diplomat, Ambassador Zafar Hilaly and Chairman Third World Solidarity, Mushtaq Lasharie on Sunday announced their full support to World Minorities Alliance (WMA) Convener, Julius Salik’s global movement to write off International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s debts on the poor countries.
In a joint message, both the dignitaries appreciated WMA Patron in Chief, Muhammad Saeed Faisal, WMA Chairman David Salik and Convener Julius Salik also J Salik for leading a much needed cause to relieve the poor countries that are already facing serious economic crunch due to repayments of heavy loans of IMF.
Ambassador (R) Zafar Hilaly who served as Pakistani envoy in the Middle Eastern and European countries had a vast knowledge of global issues and is also an avid political analyst, columnist and expert on international affairs famous for his analysis on news channels.
Hilaly is the son of Agha Hilaly, who served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States from 1966–1977. His uncle Agha Shahi served as the Foreign Minister of Pakistan in the Zia ul-Haq government.
In his special message, he said, “Your idea that the 2.6 million Christians in Pakistan should band together and raise funds for the flood affected communities in Pakistan and also help them overcome the near bankruptcy that threatens Pakistan is a splendid one. And so too is your suggestion that the effort be spearheaded by Cardinal Coutts whose stature in the Catholic Church and among the Christians of Pakistan is second to none.”
He added that for this purpose he had suggested the Cardinal to be appointed Ambassador at large to demonstrate he had the support and blessings of the Pakistani government in his endeavour to access Christians world-wide and their respective governments.
Ambassador (R) Hilaly underlined that the official recognition by the government of Pakistan would have the added advantage of enabling the prospective Ambassador at Large of enrolling support of the country’s embassies for such assistance and introductions that may be needed to schedule meetings, etc.
“Here’s hoping and praying your efforts in alleviating the suffering of our compatriots will be successful. And God too will bless your efforts,” he said.
Chairman, Third World Solidarity, Mushtaq Lasharie while fully endorsing the recommendations made by Ambassador (R) Zafar Hilaly, said these are not only 2.6 million Pakistani Christians but are the part of the world’s largest faith community in the world as after whom are the Muslims, Hindus and other religions.
“Pakistani Christians if stand for the cause of writing off country’s loans then they can influence 2.5 billion Christians of the world to support them. The Christian countries around the globe are among the first world countries that are rich,” Lasharie said.
He added that they had huge budgets and could easily shift a fraction of it in this cause that will make a huge difference.
For instance, he said the UK’s population is over 65 million and their budget is One trillion pounds which is equal to 1.3-4 trillion dollars and Pakistan’s total budget is less than $50 billion.
If you compare Pakistan’s population which is nearing 250 million then it’s budget is nothing, he said.
“There is a list of Christian countries like Sweden, France, Germany, Spain, USA and others who can help achieve the goal of writing off poor country’s debts. We the Muslims countries two to three decades back were very rich countries but wasted our resources in extravagant and luxurious expenses.
“If we follow this idea by J Salik then not only World Bank but many countries will support this idea. Because former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is leading this cause who first proposed that there was need to waive off the IMF loans world over or prolong it’s repayments for the long term or end the interests on it for some time period on these loans that worths in billions.”
Lasharie mentioned that this idea can help either waive off rich countries’ debts over the poor nations or help end interest on those loans for ten years or so. “It is a great movement of J Salik and we all Muslims should support it.”
Disclaimer:
J Salik has rejected the official population of Christians around 2.6 million recorded in 2017 Census and claimed that the government must revisit this number in the upcoming census.
