Tag: PM Shehbaz Sharif

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan aimed to collaborate with Malaysia on mutually beneficial initiatives that would leverage expertise from both nations. 

The premier, who is currently on a three-day trip to Malaysia, expressed these thoughts at a press conference alongside his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya after bilateral discussions.

He began his speech by expressing gratitude to PM Ibrahim for the hospitality shown to his delegation and referred to Malaysia as a “second home”. PM Shehbaz said that the warm welcome gave him the impression of meeting familiar faces and likened it to a reunion “akin to family gatherings”. 

Shehbaz remarked that the Malaysian premier’s commitment to fostering a robust economy showcased his leadership and vision, noting that both leaders had engaged in extensive discussions regarding bilateral relations and global issues, sharing similar perspectives on most subjects.

He also recalled PM Ibrahim’s visit to Pakistan last year, deeming it significant in bolstering bilateral ties. 

The premier said that the two nations would collaborate to enhance economic and trade relations, promote joint ventures and stimulate investment. He highlighted that Pakistan could gain from Malaysia’s knowledge in technology, artificial intelligence and various growth sectors. 

He said that Pakistan was eager to partner with Malaysia in joint ventures and projects that would benefit both parties through collaborative expertise. 

PM Shehbaz acknowledged that approximately 150,000 Pakistanis residing in Malaysia were contributing to its development and emphasised that their involvement could further enhance economic collaboration between the two nations. 

In his address, he pointed out Ibrahim’s intention to import meat from Pakistan totaling $200 million. The premier mentioned that the export quota would adhere to market-driven pricing while complying with halal certification standards and food regulations in Malaysia.

He assured that Pakistan would fully meet these requirements to align with Malaysia’s expectations and increase future export volumes. 

PM Shehbaz also discussed the launch of an Urdu version of Ibrahim’s book “Script”, which presents his thoughts on sustainability, innovation, research and development. He noted that the ideas within the book offered valuable lessons for both current and future generations. 

He asserted that nations achieve progress through diligence and dedication, rather than shortcuts, and stated that Pakistan’s youth could become an asset given access to modern technology and skills. 

In his comments, PM Ibrahim recognised the contributions of Pakistani professionals and students in Malaysia, revealing that the country had boosted its rice imports from the country. He hinted that Malaysia was looking into opportunities to increase meat imports and would collaborate with the relevant authorities on this front. 

The Malaysian premier also stated that both parties had discussed collaboration in information technology, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, praising Pakistan’s early achievements in these areas. He said that Malaysia was now in a favorable position to enhance cooperation in these fields. 

The Malaysian leader mentioned that discussions between the two nations included regional peace, counter-terrorism efforts and the situation in Palestine and Gaza. He expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s position on the matters and conveyed that their joint backing for peace could contribute to sustainable stability. 

After the press conference, Ibrahim shared on social media that he had formally welcomed PM Shehbaz and his delegation in Putrajaya. He mentioned that their bilateral talks were held in a constructive atmosphere and the visit marked a new phase of strategic cooperation between the two countries. 

Earlier, PM Shehbaz received a guard of honour at the Perdana Putra Complex – the Malaysian premier’s office.

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s blunt reply to an Indian journalist’s question on cross-border terrorism elicited strong reactions from Indian social media users.

Upon arrival at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), when a reporter from Asian News International (ANI) asked the premier on Friday, “When are you going to stop cross-border terrorism?” he shot back that Pakistan is “defeating” India in cross-border terrorism. 

Viewing PM Shehbaz’s sharp response, many Indian netizens took no time to slam the ANI and its reporter, with some raising questions about journalism ethics.

A social media user, while calling the question “powerful,” expressed concern, saying, “Pakistan will try something similar with EAM (External Affairs Minister) Jaishankar tonight!!”.

One netizen called it a “Media stunt”. The user said, “If Indians need to stop terrorism that emanates from Pakistan, the fight would have to be on the battleground and not on media space.”

One social media account called it the “worst form of journalism,” and another rebuked the journalist, calling her “shameful”, for degrading the standards of the profession.

“I feel sorry for the woman asking a question; she got slapped so hard in front of fellow journalists that she suddenly became defensive,” said another.

 
One user advised the reporter to “stick to journalism not activism”. Another called out ANI, saying that it has asked “more questions to the Pakistani PM than he asked to the Indian PM in 4000 days.”

“ANI must be taught how to interview,” one person maintained, while another stated that “Godi journalists [are a] source of embarrassment for Indians around the world”.

One particularly scathing post read: “Entire ANI and its loonie toons are perfect clowns, who leave no stone unturned each week to bring SHAME upon India on the global stage.”

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has lauded the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and its chief for their swift and immediate response to Indian aggression, stating that the armed forces had prior intelligence about India’s hostile plans.

“Last night, 80 Indian aircraft were part of the offensive, but Pakistan’s air defence effectively neutralised the threat,” he said while addressing the National Assembly session today (Wednesday).

“We shot down five enemy jets, including Rafales, and also downed two Indian drones,” he added. “Our enemies were unable to sleep last night, and our friends have realised that they can turn to Pakistan for help in difficult times. There is nothing more honourable for Pakistan than this,” he added.

PM Shehbaz praised the Pakistani armed forces for giving a “strong and befitting” response to India’s aggression, condemning the “enemy” for launching the attack under the cover of darkness.

He said that India shifted the entire blame of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), on Pakistan without any evidence. “They tried to convince the entire world that, God forbid, Pakistan was involved in the incident,” the premier said.

The prime minister also highlighted alleged links between India and terrorist organisations such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Criticising India’s silence on the Jaffer Express attack, he said New Delhi failed to even condemn the terrorist incident. “Instead of showing empathy, the tragedy was mocked in India,” he added.

Praying for the high ranks of the civilians killed in Indian airstrikes on Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir last night, PM Shehbaz lamented that the “martyred” included not only women and men but also children.

Pakistan is preparing to launch its inaugural manned space mission in collaboration with China, as announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday.

The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has signed a formal agreement with the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) to facilitate the mission.

Under this initiative, two Pakistani astronauts will receive extensive training at China’s Astronaut Centre, with one astronaut being designated as a scientific payload specialist to conduct advanced research aboard the China Space Station (CSS).

The final selection of astronauts is anticipated to be completed by 2026. This mission will emphasize innovative scientific research across various fields, including biology, medical sciences, aerospace technology, applied physics, fluid mechanics, space radiation, ecology, material sciences, microgravity studies, and astronomy.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif characterized the agreement as a pivotal advancement in enhancing Pakistan-China collaboration in space exploration. He expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for providing the opportunity and underscored that Pakistan’s involvement in the CSS program reflects the strong relationship between the two countries.

He also pointed out that both nations would continue to work together in peaceful space exploration for the benefit of humanity.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal praised the agreement as a “historic milestone” that would not only support astronaut training but also open avenues for Pakistan’s long-term progress in spaceflight and exploration.

Dr. Lin Xinqiang, Director General of CMSA, welcomed Pakistan’s participation, reaffirming China’s dedication to broadening global partnerships in space research.

Suparco Chairman Mohammad Yousaf Khan described the agreement as a significant turning point in Pakistan’s space endeavors and encouraged young professionals and scholars to engage actively in the country’s astronaut program.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted a breakfast reception to greet newly appointed cabinet members.

He emphasized that ministerial selections were made purely based on merit, grounded in competence and qualifications. He also pledged to personally monitor the performance of all cabinet members to ensure effective governance.

In a separate meeting with prominent industrialists and business leaders, the prime minister praised his economic team for their initiatives and sought recommendations for sustainable economic growth. To support this effort, he instructed the formation of a committee made up of business leaders, industrialists, and ministers to propose a roadmap for long-term economic stability within two weeks.

In another significant meeting, PM Shehbaz engaged in discussions with Russia’s First Deputy Minister for Energy, Pavel Sorokin. During these talks, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to strengthening diplomatic, trade, and investment relationships with Russia.

He highlighted the considerable potential for both nations to enhance cooperation, especially in the energy sector, and stressed the importance of expanding partnerships in diverse economic areas.