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We are paying the price of your development, Pakistan minister tells rich nations
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Developed countries have done most to cause climate change and should be doing more to help poorer countries who are being hit hardest, said Pakistan's foreign minister.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari pointed to the way Pakistan has been disproportionately impacted from global warming, giving the example of recent devastating floods, and he is seeking more help from the international community.

He also praised the humanitarian aid that has been given by China and said that the country is leading by example with its Belt and Road initiative.

More than 1,500 have been killed by floods in Pakistan while entire villages have been washed away leaving millions in need of help.

"We have contributed 0.8 percent of the carbon footprint, but now we are one of the ten most climate stressed countries on earth," Bhutto Zardari told CCTV.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari believes that Pakistan should have more help from developed countries. /CCTV

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari believes that Pakistan should have more help from developed countries. /CCTV

"We are the eighth most climate stressed country. We are literally ground zero for climate change. So I think it's only fair to expect developed countries who have talked a lot about countering climate change, to expect them to live up to their commitments on that front. 

"But frankly, what is climate change? Climate change is the price we in poorer countries pay. But the whole world is paying for the industrialization of rich countries and the people of Pakistan and these 33 million people affected by the floods they're paying in the form of their lives."

Now he is hoping for international help so that Pakistan can lay a template for sustainable growth with a more environmentally friendly approach and the construction of a "green silk road".

He said: "We have to turn this crisis into an opportunity. We now will have to invest extensively in infrastructure, in irrigation, infrastructure, in agriculture, infrastructure, in communication infrastructure, in energy infrastructure. And when we do so, we should do so in a greener, more climate resistant manner."

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And Bhutto Zardari said he sees China as an ideal partner for that type of development.

"The Chinese and the Chinese government is not about just their words. They are about their actions. The one belt one road initiative particularly," he said. 

"I can't speak for others. I don't know the details of what other countries are doing with this. The China-Pakistan economic corridor has been a fundamental game changer for the economies of our two countries."

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