Mons, (Unib Rashid) __ Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi held a meeting with former Prime Minister of Belgium and current Member of the European Parliament, Elio Di Rupo, in Brussels.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, the impacts of climate change, and other matters of mutual interest.

Governor Kundi apprised Mr. Di Rupo of the recent devastating floods in Pakistan caused by climate change and the resulting human and financial losses. He stressed that the international community must adopt a joint strategy to tackle the adverse effects of climate change, warning that failure to act swiftly could lead to severe food shortages.

The Governor also briefed the European Parliamentarian on the grave human rights violations taking place in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing that sustainable peace in the region would remain elusive without a permanent and just resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

In his response, Elio Di Rupo said that the European Union attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan. He assured that the EU would pave the way for extending assistance to Pakistan in addressing climate change challenges, and that maximum aid would be ensured for flood-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He further added that the unilateral abrogation of the Indus Water Treaty would also be raised for discussion in the European Parliament.

The meeting was also attended by Chairman Kashmir Council EU Ali Raza Syed, Belgian businessman Syed Hassan Iftikhar, and Pakistan’s Deputy Head of Mission in Belgium, Syed Faraz Hussain Zaidi.