Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reiterated the government&rsquo;s resolve to eliminate terrorism, praising the role and sacrifices of the country&rsquo;s security forces during a one-day visit to Quetta, the capital of the southwestern province of Balochistan.&nbsp;Addressing political leaders in a live briefing aired on state television, Sharif said the fight against militancy was ongoing and required national unity. The visit included high-level meetings on governance and development in the province, according to Radio Pakistan.&nbsp;Upon his arrival at the Governor House, the prime minister was presented a guard of honor by a contingent of the Balochistan Police, a Governor House press release said.&nbsp;The meeting was attended by Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, federal ministers, Dr Ahsan Iqbal, Aleem Khan and Rana Sanaullah, as well as senior political figures from the province.&nbsp;During his address, Sharif praised Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for leading counter-terrorism operations. He said it was &ldquo;unfortunate&rdquo; that Balochistan continued to suffer from militant violence, adding that the contribution of the armed forces could not be overstated.&nbsp;&ldquo;Like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan has faced immense difficulties due to terrorism,&rdquo; Sharif said, referring to another northwestern province that has experienced years of militant attacks.&nbsp;&ldquo;Be it the soldiers and officers of the army, Rangers personnel, officials of the Levies, or the common people, their sacrifices will be remembered in history,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;Sharif said banned militant groups, which the state refers to as Fitna-al-Khawarij, a term Islamabad uses for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, were receiving support from &ldquo;neighboring countries.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;But we are firm in our resolve to eradicate terrorism,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Referring to recent tensions with India in May last year, the prime minister said Field Marshal Munir had led Pakistan&rsquo;s response, adding that New Delhi had been &ldquo;taught a lesson it will never forget.&rdquo;&nbsp;The prime minister also said the provincial government, working closely with the federal authorities, was taking &ldquo;serious, coordinated, and result-oriented measures&rdquo; to address Balochistan&rsquo;s long-standing underdevelopment and integrate it into Pakistan&rsquo;s economic mainstream, according to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan.

Economy

Security

In Quetta, PM Shehbaz Sharif underscores Pakistan’s fight against terrorism, honours security forces’ sacrifices, and stresses unity and development for Balochistan.

PM Sharif visits Quetta, praises forces, reaffirms Pakistan’s anti-terror resolve

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday reaffirmed his government&rsquo;s commitment to providing equal opportunities for persons with visual impairments, marking World Braille Day.&nbsp;In a message on the occasion, the prime minister highlighted the importance of Louis Braille&rsquo;s system, which has opened doors to education, information, and professional opportunities for millions worldwide. He noted that the United Nations General Assembly recognized Jan. 4 as World Braille Day in 2018.&nbsp;Sharif praised the achievements of visually impaired Pakistanis, citing Saima Saleem, a diplomat at Pakistan&rsquo;s mission to the United Nations, as an example of overcoming challenges through excellence.&nbsp;He emphasized that Pakistan, as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and after ratifying the Marrakesh Treaty in 2023, is committed to making education, work, and information accessible to all visually impaired citizens. The prime minister called on educational institutions, civil society, the private sector, and the media to promote Braille literacy and accessible facilities. He reiterated that the government is focused on ensuring no citizen is left behind and that everyone can contribute to the country&rsquo;s development. Across Pakistan, legal and policy frameworks support the blind. The ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2020 and provincial laws in Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan, and Islamabad formally recognize visually impaired individuals as &ldquo;Special Persons.&rdquo; These laws provide job and education quotas, financial assistance, mobility support, and access to healthcare. Programs such as the Punjab Himmat Card and Sindh&rsquo;s disability allowances provide monthly stipends, medical aid, and education support. Specialized schools, including Islamabad&rsquo;s Al-Maktoom National Special Education Center, offer free education, Braille materials, and modern assistive technologies.&nbsp;The State Bank of Pakistan ensures financial inclusion by requiring banks to provide accessible services and allowing blind individuals to hold individual accounts. National and provincial initiatives also include special CNICs for travel and utility discounts, barrier-free public health services, and legal protection through special disability courts. PM Sharif said these measures reflect the government&rsquo;s determination to empower the visually impaired, ensuring equal opportunities in every sector of society. President Zardari&#39;s message Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, in a post on X on Sunday to mark World Braille Day, reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to the rights, dignity, and full inclusion of persons with visual impairments, in line with the UNCRPD and the SDGs, and paid tribute to all those advancing Braille education and accessibility.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 321px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2007700965915521276&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8e2d8719efe6974b1c2e2498093b5314a23ebe2b&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2007700965915521276"></iframe></div></div>

Politics

Cites Saima Saleem, a diplomat at Pakistan’s mission to the United Nations, as an example of overcoming challenges through excellence.

PM Sharif stresses equal opportunities for visually impaired

Web Desk/AFP

CRANS-MONTANA: Several dozen people are presumed dead and around 100 injured after a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana, police said early Thursday. Police, firefighters and rescuers rushed to the popular resort, one of the top-ranked ski destinations in Europe, after the fire broke out in the early hours of New Year&#39;s Day. A tourist from New York filmed bright orange flames pouring from the bar, and told AFP he saw people running and screaming in the dark. Authorities said they were still investigating the causes of the fire which erupted at around 1:30 am local time at the Le Constellation bar, but said they did not believe it had been caused by an &quot;attack&quot;. &quot;Several dozen people are presumed to have died,&quot; Frederic Gisler, police commander in the Wallis canton in southwestern Switzerland, told reporters, adding that around 100 people had been injured, many of them seriously. &quot;As I speak to you, all the injured are being treated,&quot; he said. The hospitals in Wallis were full and had declared a state of emergency, with the injured being transported to various hospitals across Switzerland. The Le Constellation has a capacity of 300 people and another 40 people on its terrace, according to the Crans-Montana website. Earlier, a police spokesman told AFP some 100 people had gathered there for New Year celebrations. Ambulances were still parked outside the bar hours later, and broken windows could be seen. Local media described a &quot;smell of burning still in the air&quot;. &#39;Stunned&#39; Authorities said it was too early to provide an exact number of casualties, but said that since Crans-Montana is popular with tourists around the world, they expected them to include a number of nationalities. At least two French citizens were among the injured, according to initial reports from the French foreign ministry. Swiss media suggested that the fire may have started when pyrotechnics were used during a concert. Police said the area was &quot;completely closed to the public&quot;, and that &quot;a no-fly zone over Crans-Montana has been imposed&quot;. &quot;The party was in full swing... music and champagne flowing freely,&quot; a resident who said they lived nearby told 24 heures, a Lausanne newspaper. But as news of the fire broke, they said, the carefree mood vanished and people began gathering in the street. &quot;We could hear the sirens in the distance. Around me, people were stunned, worried, silent.&quot; &quot;We heard helicopters all night long,&quot; another neighbor told 24 heures. &quot;With the fireworks, we didn&#39;t understand what was going on at first. Then we saw the smoke. It&#39;s terrible, a lot of young people go to that bar.&quot; Pakistan offers condolences Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences in the wake of the deadly fire. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), PM Sharif extended his sympathy to the victims and their families, as well as to the Swiss government. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 345px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2006677928663462347&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F3181%2F&sessionId=39d873ebafca6722b5c8971fe3fb53e3aa991228&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2006677928663462347"></iframe></div></div></div> &ldquo;Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic fire incident at a ski resort in Switzerland on New Year&rsquo;s night. Our hearts go out to those who lost their lives, and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured. We stand in solidarity with the Swiss government and the people of Switzerland during this difficult time,&rdquo; he said.

Europe

A fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, injuring many, with authorities still investigating the cause.

'Several dozen' believed killed in Swiss ski resort fire, Pakistan PM offers condolences

ISLAMABAD: United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Pakistan on Friday for his first official visit since assuming office, holding talks with Pakistani leaders on bilateral relations and regional security, the Prime Minister&#39;s Office said. According to the statement, Al Nahyan arrived in Islamabad on December 26 at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Upon entering Pakistani airspace, the presidential aircraft was escorted by Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets. Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, PM Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and senior cabinet members received the Emirati leader at the Nur Khan Airbase, Rawalpindi. The two leaders held a meeting in Islamabad, PM Sharif said in a Facebook post. &quot;The meeting focused on further strengthening the long-standing fraternal relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates,&quot; the statement stated. According to the statement, the two leaders reviewed progress in ongoing cooperation and explored possibilities for deeper engagement across various sectors The two sides underscored the importance of expanding collaboration in economic cooperation, investment, energy, infrastructure development, information technology and people-to-people exchanges, the statement said. They also agreed to enhance bilateral trade, which holds significant potential for mutual benefit, according to the statement. The leaders exchanged views on regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close coordination on matters of mutual interest, the statement said. &quot;The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and renewed their resolve to work together to achieve shared goals of peace, stability and sustainable development,&quot; the statement said. The visit is expected to strengthen ties between the two countries and provide new momentum to their strategic partnership.

Foreign Affairs

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Pakistan Friday for his first official visit to discuss economic cooperation and regional security.

UAE President's maiden Pakistan trip targets stronger bilateral relations

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the Pakistan Armed Forces had taught India a lesson for attacking Pakistan in May. He was addressing a ceremony under the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Laptop Scheme at the University of Haripur. Referring to an incident during his speech, the prime minister said he apologized after his gesture caused the microphone to switch off, adding that &ldquo;this very punch was also that of the Pakistan Armed Forces, which taught the Modi government a lesson they will never forget in their lifetime.&rdquo; During the address available on the Pakistan government&rsquo;s official X account, the prime minister announced the establishment of a Daanish School in Haripur, a separate campus for female students, and the construction of a bridge in response to a long-standing public demand.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2001363325385675082&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=9da9a22aca226e1317e9d4532fc77849d4a0c603&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 622px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>He said that plots would be allotted strictly to those entitled to them and that a committee would be formed to ensure transparent decision-making. Targeting growth &nbsp;Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan&rsquo;s economy, which had been struggling, had, by the grace of Allah, emerged from crisis and was now stable at the macro level.&nbsp; He said the next goal was to spur economic growth, adding that Pakistan would achieve its rightful place in the world, just as it had militarily. He urged the nation to accept challenges collectively and move forward in unity. The prime minister said he did not believe in receiving a guard of honor for himself, stating that the police guard of honor presented at the event was in recognition of the hard work and capability of the people.&nbsp; He said fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to him by Allah would be his legacy. Speaking about beneficiaries of the laptop scheme, Prime Minister Sharif said the recipients included sons of martyrs who had sacrificed their lives to protect millions of the nation&rsquo;s children.&nbsp; He said honoring martyrs was a national duty and warned that those who mocked or insulted them would neither earn respect in this world nor forgiveness from Allah. He said the country faced challenges and that unity among the people would enable Pakistan to regain its lost global economic and social standing. Students to be sent abroad&nbsp;Highlighting the role of youth, the prime minister said Pakistan&rsquo;s progress and prosperity depended on the younger generation.&nbsp; He said that during his tenure as chief minister of Punjab, scholarships and laptops were provided to students across the country, not just in Punjab. He announced that students from across Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, would be sent on merit to Europe and China for advanced training in artificial intelligence. &lsquo;Brave and courageous&rsquo;&nbsp;Prime Minister Sharif said that despite criticism of the laptop scheme, his conscience remained satisfied as 600,000 laptops were distributed transparently on merit.&nbsp; He said students continued their education during the COVID period through these laptops and that many were now earning income and contributing to Pakistan&rsquo;s exports. The prime minister also paid tribute to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing them as brave, and said their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism had helped restore peace in the country.&nbsp; He said history would never forget their sacrifices.

Says the next goal is to bring growth into the economy, adding that Pakistan will achieve its rightful place in the world economically, just as it has done militarily; urges the nation to accept challenges collectively.

Prime Minister Sharif chides Indian counterpart for attacking Pakistan 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Ashgabat on Thursday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (PMO) said in a statement.&nbsp;During the visit, the prime minister will participate in a high-level forum marking the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan&rsquo;s status as a permanently neutral state.&nbsp;According to the PMO, Sharif will also hold bilateral meetings with President Berdimuhamedow and engage with other world leaders attending the forum to advance Pakistan&rsquo;s regional cooperation agenda.&nbsp;The statement noted that Pakistan-Turkmenistan ties continue to strengthen across multiple sectors.&nbsp;Earlier in April, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to the timely completion of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, a key regional energy initiative.&nbsp;That commitment was reiterated during a meeting between Pakistan&rsquo;s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and President Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrives in Turkmenistan to attend high-level neutrality and peace forums, hold bilateral meetings, and push regional connectivity and TAPI energy cooperation initiatives

Pakistan PM to push energy cooperation, connectivity goals in Ashgabat talks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Wednesday said the country &ldquo;confronts and eliminates the enemy openly, not from the shadows,&rdquo; while addressing the National Scholars and Sufi Saints Conference in Islamabad, according to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). &ldquo;We do not strike from the shadows; we confront and eliminate the enemy openly,&rdquo; he said, stressing that terrorism &ldquo;is not Pakistan&rsquo;s problem but India&rsquo;s.&rdquo; &ldquo;In the battle of truth, we achieved victory with the help of Allah,&rdquo; the field marshal added. Highlighting the role of religious leaders, he said the Ulema must &ldquo;keep the nation united&rdquo; and help broaden the country&rsquo;s vision. He warned that nations distancing themselves from learning risk internal division, stating: &ldquo;Any nation that abandons knowledge and the pen becomes vulnerable to discord and corruption.&rdquo; &ldquo;Honor and strength are not gained through division, but through hard work and knowledge,&rdquo; he emphasized. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also addressed the conference, echoing the field marshal&rsquo;s call for unity. In remarks shared on his official Facebook page, the prime minister said the &ldquo;entire world was astonished&rdquo; by Pakistan&rsquo;s victory over India, adding that friendly states consider it &ldquo;their own victory&rdquo; and are honoring Pakistan. &ldquo;It is our collective responsibility to defend the army that has sacrificed its blood for the defense of Pakistan and inflicted a defeat on the eternal enemy, one it will remember until the end of time,&rdquo; he said. PM Sharif said Pakistan&rsquo;s progress depends on national cohesion and continued sacrifice. &ldquo;Our elders migrated for this country and made countless sacrifices. The entire nation must stand united on national matters,&rdquo; he said. Commenting on economic recovery, he noted that Pakistan&rsquo;s economy is &ldquo;rapidly moving toward growth&rdquo; and credited joint political-military efforts with preventing bankruptcy. Warning that development and terrorism cannot be fought simultaneously, he said, &ldquo;If this country is to progress, eliminating terrorism is absolutely essential.&rdquo;

In his address at the National Scholars and Sufi Saints Conference, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said that terrorism “is not Pakistan’s problem but India’s,” while emphasizing unity, knowledge, and defeating threats for national progress.

Pakistan confronts enemies openly, not from shadows: CDF Munir

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday congratulated the governments and people of all member states on the 40th anniversary of the SAARC Charter, calling for renewed commitment to peace, development and shared prosperity in South Asia.&nbsp;In a message marking the occasion, the prime minister said the day served as a reminder of the region&rsquo;s collective aspiration to work together for stability and progress. He noted that SAARC was founded four decades ago to promote dialogue, strengthen cooperation and build durable ties among regional countries.&nbsp;Sharif said that although regional political dynamics had hindered the organization from fully achieving its founding goals, the SAARC Secretariat continued to play a constructive role by facilitating cooperation and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement among member states.&nbsp;He stressed that economic integration, digital connectivity and people-to-people links had become more important than ever, adding that South Asian nations must work jointly to enhance trade, investment, innovation and cultural exchange.&nbsp;The prime minister warned that the region faced shared challenges, including poverty, climate-induced disasters, food and energy insecurity and public health threats &mdash; issues that transcended borders and required collective action grounded in trust and goodwill.&nbsp;Reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s unwavering support for the principles and objectives of the SAARC Charter, Sharif said genuine cooperation based on sovereign equality, mutual respect and positive engagement was essential to unlocking South Asia&rsquo;s vast potential. He urged member states to renew their resolve to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous South Asia founded on cooperation, connectivity and the collective well-being of its people.

 The prime minister says the day serves as a reminder of the region’s collective aspiration to work together for stability and progress.

PM Sharif calls for renewed regional cooperation on SAARC Charter Day

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday praised a recent report submitted to the US Congress that credited Pakistan with &ldquo;military success&rdquo; in its four-day clash with India, saying the document had &ldquo;validated Pakistan&rsquo;s strength&rdquo; and the performance of its armed forces.&nbsp;&ldquo;This report has stamped confirmation on what our brave soldiers achieved,&rdquo; he told a gathering after laying the foundation stone of a Danish School in Azad Kashmir&rsquo;s Harri Ghel.&nbsp;Sharif said the congressional findings, which highlighted the effectiveness of Pakistan&rsquo;s use of modern defense systems during the confrontation, reflected the &ldquo;professional excellence&rdquo; of the country&rsquo;s forces.&nbsp;&ldquo;Our soldiers and our pilots earned Pakistan respect on the world stage,&rdquo; he said, adding that decisions taken by the country&rsquo;s civil and military leadership were &ldquo;fearless and timely.&rdquo;&nbsp;The report, submitted to the US Congress by Washington, China Economic and Security Review Commission, described Pakistan&rsquo;s performance in the four-day clash with India as a &ldquo;military success,&rdquo; stating that the confrontation &ldquo;showcased Chinese weaponry&rdquo; in active combat for the first time.&nbsp;It said Pakistan&rsquo;s use of systems such as the HQ-9 air-defense platform, PL-15 air-to-air missiles and J-10 fighter aircraft served as &ldquo;a real-world field experiment,&rdquo; adding that Pakistani forces downed several Indian aircraft, including Rafales, in engagements that later became &ldquo;a key selling point for Chinese defence exports.&rdquo;&nbsp;The prime minister said Pakistan must now extend its efforts from battlefield achievements to economic progress.&nbsp;&ldquo;After proving our military capabilities, the time has come to secure victories in the economic field,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Nations that do not develop economically cannot succeed.&rdquo;&nbsp;Sharif used the occasion to reaffirm Islamabad&rsquo;s commitment to the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan will continue its moral, political and diplomatic support until the Kashmiris receive their rights,&rdquo; he said, expressing a confidence that &ldquo;one day, the children of occupied Kashmir will also study in Danish Schools.&rdquo;&nbsp;Highlighting the expansion of the Danish School network, Sharif said the project, initiated in Punjab, was now being extended to Azad Kashmir.&nbsp;He announced new campuses for Neelum Valley and forward Kahuta, describing the initiative as a mission to ensure equal access to high-quality education.&nbsp;&ldquo;This is the institution that will give poor and orphaned children the opportunity to become engineers, doctors and leaders,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The dream we saw for education is now becoming reality.&rdquo;&nbsp;The prime minister urged the new Azad Kashmir leadership to uphold strong governance standards and ensure better public services. &ldquo;The people of Azad Kashmir deserve the best facilities,&rdquo; he said.

Education

Talking about a recent report submitted to the US Congress crediting Pakistan’s “military success” over India, PM Shehbaz Sharif says it validates the nation’s strength and armed forces’ performance.

PM Sharif hails US report on Pakistan’s success, vows educational uplift

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday extended heartfelt felicitations to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the people of T&uuml;rkiye on the auspicious occasion of the country&rsquo;s 102nd Republic Day. In a message shared on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said he joined the people of Pakistan in conveying their warmest greetings to their Turkish brothers and sisters.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1983416237217435815&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=e5a7764e4b5f3f5afda3241472f87810c34e2d03&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 897px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>He lauded T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;s remarkable transformation and economic resurgence under the bold and dynamic leadership of President Erdoğan, noting that these achievements have earned global admiration. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s unwavering solidarity with T&uuml;rkiye, emphasizing that the two nations are united by bonds of faith, history, and fraternity that transcend geography and time. He further stated that the Pakistan-T&uuml;rkiye relationship has entered a new era of strategic partnership under the sagacious guidance of President Erdoğan, as both countries strive to unlock the vast potential of their time-tested and enduring ties across all spheres of mutual interest. The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan&rsquo;s pride in the accomplishments of the Turkish people and reaffirmed the resolve to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, defense, and culture.

Lauds Türkiye’s remarkable transformation and economic resurgence under the bold and dynamic leadership of President Erdoğan, noting that these achievements have earned global admiration.

Articles tagged with "Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif"