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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday strongly condemned Afghanistan&rsquo;s recent acts of aggression and reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s resolve to safeguard its national interests, regional sovereignty, and security.&nbsp;In a statement, President Zardari said Pakistan would never accept any &ldquo;controversial or misleading stance&rdquo; on Jammu and Kashmir, adding that India&rsquo;s claims regarding the disputed territory were illegal and contrary to international law and UN resolutions.&nbsp;He expressed regret that the Afghan leadership had &ldquo;turned away from the oppressed people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,&rdquo; calling it an injustice to both history and the Muslim Ummah.&nbsp;Zardari noted that the use of Afghan soil for attacks by the so-called &ldquo;Fitna-al-Khawarij&rdquo; &mdash; a reference to militant groups &mdash; was a documented fact acknowledged even in UN reports. He warned that the nexus between &ldquo;the Khawarij and India&rdquo; was targeting Pakistani civilians and security personnel.&nbsp;The president urged the Afghan leadership to take concrete steps against anti-Pakistan terrorist groups operating from its soil, stressing that terrorism was a shared regional challenge that could not be borne by one country alone.&nbsp;He reiterated that Pakistan would make no compromise on its sovereignty and had consistently extended all possible facilitation to Afghanistan in trade, economy, and connectivity.&nbsp;&ldquo;Mutual cooperation and economic partnership form the foundation for lasting peace and prosperity in the region,&rdquo; he said, adding that Pakistan desired a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan. <div class="fr-embed instagram-embed" style="width: 50%; display: block; max-width: 600px;"><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPspi-oDdV1/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=485&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com&rp=%2Farticles%2F1265#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A1889589.199999988%2C%22ls%22%3A637.3999999761581%2C%22le%22%3A648.8999999761581%7D" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="1023" scrolling="no" style="background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 12px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;">&nbsp;</iframe></div>Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the cross-border aggression, saying Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces were fully capable of defending every inch of the motherland.&nbsp;He said Islamabad had always acted with restraint and responsibility but would respond firmly to any violation of its sovereignty.&nbsp;&ldquo;The government will take all necessary measures to protect Pakistan&rsquo;s territorial integrity and ensure peace in the region,&rdquo; the prime minister added.&nbsp;The prime minister also lauded the Pakistan Army&rsquo;s swift and professional response under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, saying the forces not only repelled the aggression but also neutralized several enemy positions, forcing a retreat.&nbsp;He emphasized that Pakistan&rsquo;s defense was in strong hands and that the nation stood united with its security forces against any provocation. Dar urges Taliban to act against terrorists Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said he was &ldquo;deeply concerned&rdquo; over the developments along the Pak‑Afghan border, calling unprovoked firing and raids by the Taliban government a &ldquo;serious provocation.&rdquo; <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=1977301437160779869&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F1265%2F&sessionId=3cf72649712ea0166c123d48be461eb7eec96caf&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 345px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&nbsp;The statement said Pakistan&rsquo;s retaliatory strikes targeted Taliban infrastructure and aimed to neutralize Fitna‑al‑Khawarij and Fitna‑al‑Hindustan terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil.&nbsp;He said that the defensive response was not directed at the peace‑loving Afghan civilian population and that, unlike Taliban forces, Pakistan was exercising &ldquo;extreme caution&rdquo; to avoid civilian casualties.&nbsp;Dar also reiterated its long‑standing position that combating terrorism is a shared regional responsibility and said it had repeatedly provided Kabul with information on terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory.

Security

President Zardari says Pakistan would never accept any 'controversial or misleading stance' on Jammu and Kashmir. PM Shehbaz says armed forces are fully capable of defending every inch of the motherland.

President, PM condemn Afghan aggression, vow to defend national sovereignty

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday urged accelerating beef exports to Malaysia as part of a broader push to strengthen bilateral trade ties, chairing a high-level meeting via video link from New York, his office said.&nbsp;PM Sharif highlighted the long-standing brotherly relations between Pakistan and Malaysia, noting Kuala Lumpur&rsquo;s consistent support for Islamabad in times of crisis.&nbsp;&ldquo;There is immense potential in Pak-Malaysia trade, which we must fully harness,&rdquo; the PM&rsquo;s office said, quoting Sharif, emphasizing the meat sector as a priority.&nbsp;He directed relevant institutions to draft a comprehensive, actionable plan to expand beef exports to the Malaysian market.&nbsp;The meeting also reviewed existing trade volumes and Pakistan&rsquo;s broader export potential in Malaysia, with instructions for authorities to prepare a concrete strategy to deepen commercial cooperation.

Economy

Via video link from New York, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed officials to prioritize beef exports in efforts to enhance Pakistan-Malaysia trade, stressing the need for a concrete plan to expand market access and bilateral cooperation.

Pakistan pushes beef exports in drive to boost Malaysia trade

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with the heads of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, underscoring Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to economic reforms, fiscal stabilization, and climate-resilient recovery.&nbsp;Sharif thanked IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva for the Fund&rsquo;s continued support under various facilities, including the $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement and the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF).&nbsp;&ldquo;The impact of the recent floods on Pakistan&rsquo;s economy must be factored into the IMF&rsquo;s review,&rdquo; Sharif emphasized.&nbsp;Georgieva praised Pakistan&rsquo;s progress on economic reforms and reiterated the IMF&rsquo;s support for the country&rsquo;s macroeconomic stability. She expressed sympathy for flood-affected communities and underlined the need for comprehensive damage assessments to shape recovery priorities. Sharif-Gates meet&nbsp;Separately, the PM met with Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, on the sidelines and expressed appreciation for the foundation&rsquo;s generous donation to Pakistan&#39;s recent floods in 2025.&nbsp; Prime Minister Sharif expressed appreciation for the foundation&rsquo;s generous donation to Pakistan, as well as for the donation made following the 2022 floods.&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, the premier appreciated the support extended by the Gates Foundation to Pakistan for its polio eradication efforts, as well as improvements in immunization and nutrition, and financial inclusion in the country, according to a statement issued by the prime minister&#39;s office. According to the statement, the premier emphasized that polio eradication remained a top priority, and partnership with the Gates Foundation would remain vital to achieving this objective. &quot;The prime minister and [Bill] Gates reaffirmed their shared commitment to continue working together to advance cooperation in sectors of health, nutrition, digital transformation, and larger socio-economic development of the country,&quot; it added.&nbsp;World BankEarlier, in talks with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, the prime minister discussed reforms in tax collection, energy sector restructuring, and climate action under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 2026&ndash;2035, which includes a $40 billion financing commitment.&nbsp;&ldquo;President Banga appreciated the reform measures being undertaken by Pakistan and reaffirmed the Bank&rsquo;s commitment to Pakistan&rsquo;s development agenda,&rdquo; stated the PM&rsquo;s Office.&nbsp;Sharif commended the World Bank&#39;s rapid response to past crises, including the 2022 floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, and welcomed the Bank&rsquo;s evolving role as a more agile development partner.&nbsp;Since joining the World Bank in 1950, Pakistan has received over $48.3 billion in assistance, with the current portfolio consisting of 54 projects totaling $15.7 billion.&nbsp;Strengthening bilateral tiesIn a separate meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Lithuania&rsquo;s Acting Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys. Both sides agreed to enhance bilateral trade, investment, and cooperation in digital economy and education.&nbsp;A key outcome of the meeting was the signing of the Convention on Avoidance of Double Taxation, described as a &ldquo;significant milestone&rdquo; to boost investor confidence and economic collaboration.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are committed to maintaining momentum in bilateral engagement and exploring new areas of mutual interest,&rdquo; said Dar.&nbsp;Kuwait and PakistanPM Sharif also met with Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah to deepen cooperation in trade, agriculture, manpower, and health.&nbsp;Sharif conveyed gratitude for Kuwait&rsquo;s support during Pakistan&rsquo;s 2022 floods and extended a formal invitation for the Crown Prince to visit Pakistan later this year.&nbsp;Both leaders discussed key regional and international developments, with the crown prince commending Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic role in raising awareness about the plight of the Palestinian people.&nbsp;These engagements on the sidelines of UNGA reflect Pakistan&rsquo;s strategic push to build resilient economic frameworks, secure long-term international financing, and strengthen bilateral and multilateral partnerships.&nbsp;As Pakistan continues navigating the challenges of post-disaster recovery and structural economic reform, its outreach in New York underscores a growing emphasis on global collaboration for inclusive growth and stability.

Foreign Affairs

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation held key meetings with IMF, World Bank, Lithuania, and Kuwait to bolster economic reforms, flood recovery efforts, and strengthen diplomatic and development partnerships.

On UNGA sidelines, Pakistan pushes economic reforms, recovery agenda with global partners

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to peace, progress, and stability in the region, saying Islamabad had &quot;taken full revenge&quot; for recent hostilities with India.&nbsp;Speaking at an event for Overseas Pakistanis in London on Sunday, PM Sharif announced that the ceasefire, following a four-day military conflict, was now in effect, and Pakistan was ready to move forward with a vision of prosperity.&nbsp;&ldquo;The ceasefire is now in place,&rdquo; the prime minister said.<div class="fr-embed"><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DO3REuFDUI1/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=675&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com&rp=%2Farticles%2F409#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A991298.1999999993%2C%22ls%22%3A2007.6000000014901%2C%22le%22%3A4158.199999999255%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 12px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;"></iframe></div>&nbsp;&ldquo;We want peace, we want progress, we want prosperity, and we want the eradication of unemployment in Pakistan.&rdquo;&nbsp;He emphasized the nation&rsquo;s desire for investment and economic growth, stressing that Pakistan sought peace not only on the battlefield but also in its economic relationships.&nbsp;Despite recent tensions, PM Sharif reiterated that Pakistan had consistently pursued dialogue with India on critical issues like the long-standing Kashmir dispute, water-sharing, trade, and counter-terrorism.&nbsp;He insisted that these talks must be based on equality, rejecting any attempt to bypass the core issue of Kashmir.&nbsp;&quot;I have made this offer many times, and the world has heard it,&quot; Sharif said. &quot;We want to sit down and talk with you, to find a way forward and address the challenges that have plagued our relationship for decades. But it must be based on equality and fairness.&quot;&nbsp;The prime minister acknowledged the deep-rooted tensions between the two nations but emphasized Pakistan&#39;s sincere desire to move beyond animosity.&nbsp;&quot;We are neighbors in the region,&quot; he continued, &quot;Now, it is up to us whether we want to live peacefully or as unfriendly neighbors.&quot;&nbsp;For PM Sharif, the key to peace lies in resolving the Kashmir issue, a conflict that has been the primary point of contention between the two nuclear-armed nations for over seven decades.&nbsp;&quot;If anyone thinks that without resolving the Kashmir issue, mutual relations can be established, this can never happen,&quot; Sharif declared, reinforcing the importance of the Kashmir dispute in any peace process.&nbsp;His statement echoed Pakistan&#39;s long-standing position that peace in the region is impossible without a just resolution to the Kashmir issue.&nbsp;Violence in GazaPM Sharif&rsquo;s remarks also aligned with a broader regional and global call for peace, as he condemned the ongoing violence in Gaza and reiterated Pakistan&#39;s commitment to the Palestinian cause.&nbsp;He called for international action to stop the suffering of Palestinians and stressed that Pakistan would continue to be a voice for justice and human rights in global forums.&nbsp;The prime minister also addressed Pakistan&#39;s domestic challenges, particularly its economic struggles.&nbsp;He acknowledged the critical role foreign investment and financial aid played in stabilizing the nation&rsquo;s economy. However, Sharif emphasized that Pakistan must work toward self-sufficiency and called on the youth to actively contribute to rebuilding the country.&nbsp;&ldquo;We must get rid of debts and stand on our own feet,&rdquo; Sharif said. &ldquo;When we make Pakistan a great economic power, the world will listen to us. We are a nation of great potential, and it is time for us to rise.&rdquo;&nbsp;PM Sharif&rsquo;s message resonated across Pakistan, emphasizing the country&rsquo;s commitment to peace, progress, and a more equitable global order, which continues to define Pakistan&rsquo;s approach to relations with India and the wider world.

Politics

PM Sharif calls for peaceful dialogue with India on Kashmir, emphasizes economic growth, and condemns Gaza violence, urging self-sufficiency and global justice.

Articles tagged with "Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif"

President, PM condemn Afghan aggression, vow to defend national sovereignty

Pakistan pushes beef exports in drive to boost Malaysia trade

On UNGA sidelines, Pakistan pushes economic reforms, recovery agenda with global partners

Pakistan has taken ‘full revenge,’ PM Sharif calls for peace with India

President, PM condemn Afghan aggression, vow to defend national sovereignty