ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday hailed the collective leadership of the civilian government and the armed forces while paying glowing tribute to exporters, investors and traders, calling them Pakistan’s “heroes of the economy” whose efforts have elevated the country’s global standing.
Addressing an award ceremony held to honor top exporters and contributors to the national economy, the prime minister said the business community was the “crown of our heads” and the driving force behind Pakistan’s economic revival.
“I would like to say without any hesitation that all of you sitting in this hall, our contractors, investors, traders and exporters, are the crown of our heads. There is no doubt about it. And whatever we do for them is less,” he said.
Sharif assured the business community that their proposals for economic development would be implemented to the maximum extent possible, terming it his government’s foremost responsibility.
“For the economic development of Pakistan, whatever your suggestions may be, acting on them to the limit is my and my team’s primary duty. And we will not back down,” he said, while urging the private sector to play its full role. “It takes two to tango. You cannot clap with one hand.”
Expressing confidence in the capacity of Pakistani entrepreneurs, he said their vision, courage and ability could transform the national economy within a few years.
“You have so much courage, so much vision and capacity that you can transform the economy of Pakistan in a few years,” the prime minister remarked.
Highlighting Pakistan’s improved international image, PM Sharif said the country’s economic and diplomatic standing had visibly strengthened, attributing this progress to national unity and coordinated leadership.
“Today, your ambassadorship is at its peak,” he said. “Pakistan has made its place in the world, and future generations will remember this moment.”
Referring to his recent foreign engagements alongside Chief of Defense Forces and the Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the prime minister said Pakistanis were now being received abroad with renewed respect and warmth.
“I am a small Pakistani, but I am a proud Pakistani,” he said. “When you go abroad today and present your passport, people see with enthusiasm and love that a Pakistani has come.”
“I myself went to foreign lands with the Field Marshal and my team,” he added. “Our eyes changed, our faces changed.”
The prime minister said the visible shift reflected Pakistan’s growing confidence and recognition, made possible through the combined efforts of the civilian leadership, the armed forces and the country’s economic stakeholders.
At the ceremony, awards were presented to leading exporters and contributors to the national economy, celebrating their role in strengthening Pakistan’s growth, resilience and global standing.
