UNITED NATIONS: The Federal Finance Minister, Dr. Mubashir Hasan, today [April 22] called for a vision on the part of the rich, both in the oil-consuming and oil-producing countries, to find a solution based on justice and equity of the present economic crisis to prevent disaster in the developing countries. … Speaking at the plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly’s special session on raw materials and development, he said, in case of failure in finding such a solution ... nature has its own grand design for fulfilment of the destiny of mankind.

Dr. Mubashir said the economic plight of the nations hit hard by rise in prices of oil, fertilisers, wheat and other essential commodities was so grave, and so hard was the blow, that more than a billion people were in no condition to suffer the agony of the delay that detailed investigations, time-consuming dialogues and protracted debate on treatment must entail. He said they need first aid without further loss of time. … He told the world body the problems under consideration … relating to raw materials and development had a historical perspective. The history of … unequal existence, is the history of a long struggle.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2024