Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari pledged to build a sustainable transport network during a meeting with UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Henri Todt, in Islamabad on Friday. The President emphasized the importance of continued engagement and technical support from the United Nations and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in assisting developing nations, including Pakistan, to enhance road safety systems.

According to Radio Pakistan, President Zardari highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to reducing road traffic fatalities through stronger regulation, enforcement, and public awareness initiatives. He noted the significance of Pakistan hosting the Regional Transport Ministers Conference as a crucial step towards developing safer and more connected transport networks in the region.

The President detailed the country’s ongoing efforts to upgrade road infrastructure and modernize traffic management systems. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to establishing a safer, more inclusive, and sustainable transport network. President Zardari expressed confidence in the continued collaboration with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy and UNECE to achieve shared goals in road safety.

Jean Henri Todt informed the President that road accidents annually result in nearly 1.2 million fatalities and cause economic losses amounting to billions of dollars worldwide. He stressed that addressing these issues requires comprehensive efforts, including better road safety education, stricter law enforcement, improved road quality, and the development of safer vehicles.