Pakistan Caretaker PM Cancels Kenya Visit on Short Notice
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, caretaker prime minister of Pakistan, has canceled a three-day official visit to Kenya scheduled to commence on September 4, 2023.
According to Pakistan’s foreign office, the Prime Minister is scheduled to attend the forthcoming Africa Climate Summit, which will be convened by President William Ruto at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
However, the Pakistani prime minister canceled the trip after assessing the current state of his country, where the high cost of living and soaring electricity bills have sparked widespread demonstrations in major cities.
During protests, residents have blocked roads, attacked power company offices, and burned utility invoices and currency.
If Kakar had attended the summit, it would have been his first international trip since assuming office on August 14, 2023.
His delegation would have included interim foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, caretaker cabinet ministers, and special assistants.
In addition to attending the Summit, the Pakistani Prime Minister planned to meet with Ruto to strengthen bilateral trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
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According to the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) of the World Bank, Pakistan is one of Kenya’s top five export and import partners.
In addition, various agreements and memorandums of understanding were scheduled to be signed during the three-day visit.
Kakar will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 22, 2023, as affirmed by the foreign office and reported by Pakistan’s Geo TV. This will be the first time a Pakistani leader will address world leaders and diplomats at the event.
The Pakistani government has previously emphasized the untapped potential of the African market for its investors and has implemented a ‘Look Africa Policy’ to investigate opportunities for bolstering trade.
In addition, the 4–6 September 2023 Africa Climate Summit will focus on addressing the global and African-specific consequences of climate change.
President Ruto, who is scheduled to host twenty-four world leaders, has verified that immediate action is required to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The Head of State has asserted that the Summit will serve as a forum for informing, shaping, and influencing commitments, pledges, and outcomes, ultimately resulting in the formulation of an effective plan to combat climate change.
Pakistan Caretaker PM Cancels Kenya Visit on Short Notice