Tag: PM Shehbaz Sharif

  • PM Shehbaz likely to meet US President Biden this month

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit the United States of America (USA) this month from September 19- 24 to attend the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    During this visit, he may have a meeting with US President Joe Biden. Both PM Shehbaz and Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will attend the dinner reception hosted by President Biden for heads of state and government of countries attending the General Assembly.

    Apart from this, PM will meet the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the President of the World Bank (WB) in New York. He will also address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 23.

    It is pertinent to mention that this year’s UNGA session is significant because this will be the first in-person summit of world leaders since 2019. For the last two years, sessions were held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Since US President Biden’s election, relations between Pakistan and the US have cooled down. Former PM Imran Khan also has repeatedly accused the US of outsing him from power, a charge denied repeatedly by US officials and Pakistan’s establishment.

  • PM Shehbaz uses international platform to plead for action against climate change

    PM Shehbaz uses international platform to plead for action against climate change

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif talked about the ongoing climate change devastation that has been caused by unprecedented floods across Pakistan at Shangai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

    In his speech, the premier stressed that his country’s contribution to the global carbon commission is only 1 per cent. “Our carbon emission is less than one per cent. Yet nature had this in store for us,” Shehbaz Sharif said.

    Moreover, he urged the world to formulate a well-thought-out and sustainable plan to prevent devastating episodes of climate change destruction in the future. “We are going to stand on our own feet but will this be the last time a country is going to fall victim to this devastation”, he asked, as he appealed to the SCO to “build a wall” against the menace of climate change.

    He concluded his speech by reaffirming Pakistan’s “strong and unwavering commitment” to advancing the objectives of the SCO.

    At the international forum, the premier urged the leaders not to ignore Afghanistan at this time.

    He stated that the world would have to work together to support all “good initiatives” in Afghanistan. “It will be a big mistake if we ignore Afghanistan this time around”, he warned.

    Moreover, PM Shehbaz asked the international community to support efforts to build a sustainable Afghan economy. “Unfreezing Afghanistan’s financial assets remains a crucial need in this regard”, he stressed.

    PM Shehbaz meets Chinese President Xi Jinping

    On Friday, PM Shehbaz met Chinese President Xi Jinping at SCO in Uzbekistan.

    In an official statement, the Chinese foreign ministry said that during the meeting, Xi pointed out that China and Pakistan are close neighbours “linked by mountains and rivers and with a shared future”.

    The two countries have all along stood with each other through thick and thin. No matter how the international situation evolves, China and Pakistan are always each other’s trustworthy strategic partners, the statement added.

    President Xi stressed that the two sides must continue to firmly support each other, foster stronger synergy between their development strategies, and harness the role of the Joint Cooperation Committee of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to ensure smooth construction and operation of major projects.

    On Thursday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that PM Shehbaz had “very successful” talks with Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi.

    “Both of them have officially invited Shehbaz Sharif to visit their countries. The prime minister has accepted both invitations. There will be a visit to China in November 2022,” the minister confirmed in a tweet.

    Earlier, it was reported that PM Shehbaz would meet Xi Jinping, the Chinese President. However, no plans have been announced of a meeting between the Pakistani Prime Minister and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, who is also attending the SCO.

    Shehbaz Sharif was also scheduled to meet Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev later in the day.

    On Thursday, the prime minister met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iran’s Ebrahim Raisi. He also met with the president of Tajikistan and Kagystan.

    Shehbaz Sharif declared his meetings with the world leaders on Thursday as “productive”.

    “It was a long but productive day in Samarkand. In my meetings with leaders of friendly countries, we agreed on enhancing trade and investment. I explained the flood ravages due to climate change. Food and energy shortages present a real challenge to our shared development agenda,” he tweeted.

    During the meeting with Putin, the Russian president said that pipeline gas supplies to Pakistan are possible, and that part of the necessary infrastructure is already in place.

    After the meeting with Putin, the premier also held a bilateral meeting with Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon.

    The two leaders held wide-ranging talks covering all aspects of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation, including regional and international issues.

    Shehbaz Sharif thanked Tajikistan for its support to flood affectees in Pakistan and shared details of the devastation caused by the massive floods.

    Since becoming a full member of SCO in 2017, Pakistan has been actively contributing and participating in the activities of the organisation.

  • ‘Fitna’: Maryam Nawaz slams Imran for ‘using religion’ for personal benefits

    ‘Fitna’: Maryam Nawaz slams Imran for ‘using religion’ for personal benefits

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz has said that religion should not be used for political benefits and blasted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for allegedly using faith for political gain.

    “Using religion for personal motives is very bad. I have suffered this and I am a victim”, she said while talking to members of the media.

    “I think religion is a personal matter but it does not remain a personal matter when you say in rallies that ‘voting for PML-N is a sin and voting for me [Imran] is righteous and if my party members switch loyalties then it’s shirk’,” she stated, referring to a recent controversy speech given by Imran Khan at a rally.

    “Shirk’s definition is associating partners with God. Are you changing the entire dictionary and the meaning of religion for your disgusting politics,” she asked the former Prime Minister.

    Shirk is considered to be one of the most heinous sins in Islam.

    At a rally, Khan had said that “people who vote for PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif will be siding with a convict and are on the wrong side. This also means that you will go against Allah’s orders.”

    At one point, he also said that those who defected from his party [PTI] committed shirk.

    “I think all institutions, whether the judiciary or army or politicians or government, should acknowledge he [Khan] is a fitna (chaotic miscreant) who was launched for destruction and from whom no one is safe.”

    Maryam said that she is not in favour of fuel or electricity price increases.

    “I will request the government to focus on it. I don’t support this decision and it should be corrected. However, it will take time to stabilise the economy after what Imran Khan did,” she said, adding that PM Shehbaz Sharif has saved the country from default and slowly the economy will begin to revive.

    Moreover, the PML-N vice president asked Khan to dissolve the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) if he wants fresh general elections.

  • Floods in Pakistan: Govt to establish ‘National Flood Response and Coordination Centre’

    Floods in Pakistan: Govt to establish ‘National Flood Response and Coordination Centre’

    The government has decided to establish the ‘National Flood Response and Coordination Centre’ to deal with the situation of floods in the country and the rehabilitation of flood-affected people.

    The decision was made during a meeting of allied parties on August 29 in Islamabad, which was presided over by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    The Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) updated the participants of the meeting about the country’s flood situation and relief efforts.

    The participants of the meeting decided that the estimation of the damages should be conducted in a transparent way.

    “At the national flood emergency meeting today, we approved the establishment of the National Flood Response & Coordination Center to provide an institutional response to the flood calamity. Led by PM, this Center will comprise federal ministers, reps of armed forces, CMs, & experts,” tweeted PM Shehbaz.

    According to the data issued by NDMA, at least 1,136 people have died in floods caused by heavy rains in the country.

  • IMF board approves disbursement of $1.17 billion in bailout funds

    IMF board approves disbursement of $1.17 billion in bailout funds

    The seventh and eighth reviews of Pakistan’s bailout programme were approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) board on Monday, releasing $1.17 billion to the cash-strapped nation.

    Pakistan is now set to get a $1.17 billion loan tranche from the international lender within the next six days.

    “Alhamdolillah, the IMF board has approved the revival of our EFF programme. We should now be getting the seventh and eighth tranche of $1.17 billion,” said Finance Minister Miftah Ismail in a tweet announcing the news.

    Additionally, the Finance Minister praised the Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, “for taking so many tough decisions and saving Pakistan from default.”

    The previous payment was made to Pakistan in February, and the subsequent tranche was scheduled to be released following a review in March.

    However, the PTI government drastically reduced petroleum prices by providing substantial subsidies to the country, which caused the program’s fiscal objectives to be missed.

  • Flood Emergency: Here is how you can help

    Flood Emergency: Here is how you can help

    At least 982 people have died in floods caused by heavy rains in different parts of the country, according to the most recent data issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

    You can help the flood victims by donating to the following government and private organisations.

    PM Flood Relief Fund:

    All Pakistanis could join the work of helping flood victims through donations. All commercial banks and their branches could collect donations in the Prime Minister Flood Relief Fund 2022 as per the State Bank of Pakistan circular.

    Akhuwat foundation:
    The Indus Hospital

    The First Step:

    Bank Name: MCB
    Account Title: Ridha Tahir
    Account No: 1330908731003018

    For International transactions:
    IBAN Number:
    PK84MUCB1330908731003018

    Govt. of Balochistan:

    Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan:

    Women Democratic Front:

    Edhi Foundation:

    EDHI Foundation Pakistan flood relief teams are on the ground all across flood-affected areas in Pakistan. You can go to their website to make donations.

    Muslim Aid UK

  • ‘Nation grieves’: Lt Col Laiq Baig Mirza martyred by terrorists in Balochistan

    ‘Nation grieves’: Lt Col Laiq Baig Mirza martyred by terrorists in Balochistan

    Lieutenant Colonel Laiq Baig Mirza embraced martyrdom after being abducted by terrorists in Ziarat District, Balochistan.

    According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Shaheed Lt Col Baig and his cousin Umer Javed were kidnapped by terrorists when they were both returning to Quetta after visiting Quaid-e-Azam’s residency.

    Quick Response Force (QRF) of SSG Commandos was dispatched instantly for a search operation.

    “Resultantly, on the night between July 13 and July 14, a group of six to eight terrorists was spotted moving in a nullah in nearby mountains by one of the teams of security forces. On sensing their possible encirclement, terrorists shot Lt Col Mirza and attempted to flee,” said the military’s media wing.

    Later, the exchange of fire between the army and the terrorist group resulted in the killing of two terrorists. However, Lt Col Mirza’s cousin Umer couldn’t be recovered.

    A search operation is still underway to recover Umer Javed.

    The ISPR said that the forces are determined to recover the innocent civilian hostage. “Security Forces remain resolute to thwart such cowardly attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan.”

    PM Shehbaz and CM Balochistan extend condolences

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif tweeted, “Deeply grieved over the martyrdom of Lt Col Laiq Baig Mirza in Balochistan. Our law enforcement agencies will hunt down all those who perpetrated this heinous crime and bring them to justice. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family. The nation grieves with them and shares their sorrow.”

    Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo also expressed sorrow at Lt Col Baig’s martyrdom.

  • PM Shehbaz, Imran Khan wish Hajj Mubarak to Muslims across the globe

    PM Shehbaz, Imran Khan wish Hajj Mubarak to Muslims across the globe

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the ones who have received the blessings of Hajj-e-Akbar.

    In a series of tweets, PM Shehbaz said this is a blessed occasion to pray for the prosperity of mankind and its deliverance from epidemics and diseases.

    He prayed for the freedom of occupied Palestine and Kashmir to save the oppressed people. He also urged the nation to offer special prayers for elevation in the ranks of martyrs.

    “May Allah Almighty bring Pakistan out of its debt situation with the blessings of Hajj-e-Akbar and grant us economic self-reliance,” he added.

    Similarly, former PM and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan shared a picture and wished Hajj to the Muslims on his Instagram handle.

    He wrote, “Hajj Mubarak to Muslims across the globe!”

    There are several politicians who are performing Hajj this year, including seven members of PTI and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani is also performing Hajj this year.

    84,000 Pakistanis proceeded to the plains of Arafat today (Friday) to perform the Rukn-e-Azam of the Hajj known as “Waqoof-e-Arafat”.

  • ‘Will never compromise on defence and security of Pakistan’: PM Shehbaz

    ‘Will never compromise on defence and security of Pakistan’: PM Shehbaz

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif expressed commitment to restoring the role of provinces in the National Action Plan (NAP), which the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had allegedly ignored, in a meeting on 26 June.

    The 20-point NAP was drawn up after the December 2014 terrorist attack on the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar.

    Sharif was of the view that the increase in terrorism was due to the ignorance of the NAP.

    “This role of the provinces will be restored that remained missing during the last four years,” said the PM.

    “Ensuring law and order is essential for restoring the national economy and development in the country. The fight against terrorism would continue till its elimination,” said Shehbaz. He further pledged to never compromise on the defence and security of Pakistan.

    He said that the entire country was united in the effort to eradicate terrorism, standing behind the armed forces and law-enforcement agencies.

    The meeting also reviewed the steps taken to eliminate the source of terror financing and relevant laws.

  • Citizens will be given CPR training to save lives: Govt

    Citizens will be given CPR training to save lives: Govt

    Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the commencement of a countrywide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training programme in order to save lives in situations where medical help is unavailable.

    “National movement on CPR Training. CPR has saved countless lives around the world at places where immediate medical assistance is limited. Let’s learn & be a responsible citizen,” tweeted Head of Prime Minister of Pakistan’s Strategic Reforms Salman Sufi.

    A comprehensive strategy would be announced later.

    The development came after a video of a female doctor and her husband went viral on social media in which they administered CPR to save the life of a kid who was recovered from the Nultar River near Gilgit.