Latest news with #Shehbaz
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PM amenable to dialogue with ‘misled people' in Balochistan
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is willing to sit across the table with 'those who have been misled… who have been led astray' in Balochistan as he promised 'social and economic justice' to the people of the impoverished province which has been caught up in a spiral of deadly violence since 2006. 'We must strive to win back the people who were misled [by terrorists] to the wrong track. If there are any grievances, they should be resolved through dialogue in the spirit of brotherhood,' he said while referring to chronic grievances in the dirt-poor province which have been exploited by Baloch terrorist groups to promote their violent narrative. The prime minister was addressing a grand jirga in Quetta on Saturday which brought together tribal elders, lawmakers, and key stakeholders for consultations aimed at resolving long-standing issues, particularly those related to security and development. Field Marshal Chief of Army Staff Syed Asim Munir, Baochistan's Acting Governor Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and high ranking military and civil officials were also in attendance. کوئٹہ: وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف کا بلوچستان گرینڈ جرگہ سے خطاب! — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) May 31, 2025 Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome he received at the jirga, the prime minister described Balochistan as 'a beautiful province of brave people and the heart of Pakistan.' There has been an uptick in terrorist violence in the province which civil and military officials have blamed on India. 'The bloodthirsty terrorists, who are against the progress prosperity of Pakistan, are carrying out heinous acts of terrorism at the behest of foreign elements,' Premier Shehbaz said while referring to India. 'They must be stopped. We all must defeat their nefarious designs. If there are shortcomings in our response, these could be addressed with your guidance,' he told the jirga participants. 'All provinces are like brothers and will equally share resources of the country,' PM Shehbaz said, adding that the federal government was spending Rs70 billion on a solarisation project in Balochistan. Similarly, Rs150 billion would be diverted for building N25 highway, which is commonly referred to as the 'bloody highway' due to its precarious condition. Money for these projects would be acquired from the amount which the government was collecting after the drop in the prices of petroleum products in the international market. Prime Minister @CMShehbaz has called upon all stakeholders in Balochistan to join hands with the government and armed forces of Pakistan for lasting peace and prosperity in the province@dpr_gob @PakPMO #RadioPakistan #News — Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) May 31, 2025 The prime minister said that the government would allocate Rs1,000 billion for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) this year and 25 per cent, or Rs250 billion, from the fund would be for projects in Balochistan. He said federal funds were the right of people of Balochistan and every penny would be spent transparently on the progress and prosperity of the province. He recalled that during his tenure as the chief minister of Punjab, he had allocated 10 per cent quota for students of Balochistan in different schemes of Punjab, including laptop schemes and scholarships in foreign and provincial educational institutions. In the past, Rs2 billion was allocated for a cardiac hospital in Balochistan, he added. The prime minister also recalled that Punjab had agreed to give part of its share from the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award to Balochistan in view of its development needs as the province is the largest in terms of area. 'In today's value, the funds diverted to Balochistan amount to Rs160 billion,' he explained. Read More: PM Shehbaz 'ready for talks' with India on water, trade The NFC award was signed in Lahore in 2010 after three days of discussions among the national leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari, then prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Nawaz Sharif, he added. He said that during Nawaz Sharif's tenure as prime minister a lot of development projects were undertaken in Balochistan and President Zardari had initiated Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package. Talking about the recent conflict with India, Premier Shehbaz said that on the night between May 6 and 7 and May 10 India attacked Pakistan but with the grace of Allah, the armed forces bravely defeated the enemy, who will remember its defeat forever. He thanked people of Pakistan for showing unity and standing shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan Army during the conflict. Read More: India's 'hydro terrorism' untenable: COAS 'As the prime minister I was witness to all the events of the short duration war,' he said, adding that 'as a brave and sagacious leader Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir led Pakistan armed forces to a victory against India and made the nation proud.' He said that the triumph over India was akin to avenging the events of 1971. 'Now the enemy is scared and Pakistan's friendly countries are more confident after Pakistan's military victory over India,' he claimed.
Business Recorder
4 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Issues of Balochistan to be resolved amicably: PM Shehbaz
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said the issues faced by the people of Balochistan would be resolved amicably and funds would be made available for the development and progress of the largest province. Addressing a grand jirga of Balochistan, he said the four provinces were like brothers and would equally share resources of the country. The federal government was spending Rs70 billion on the solarisation project in Balochistan, he said, adding Rs150 billion would be diverted for the building of highway N25 in Balochistan. India has intensified 'terrorism campaign' inside Pakistan through proxies, says PM Shehbaz The funds would be acquired from the amount, which the government was collecting after the lowering down of prices of petroleum products in the international market. The prime minister said the government would allocate Rs1,000 billion for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) this year and 25% or Rs250 billion from the fund would be for projects in Balochistan. He said federal funds were the right of people of Balochistan and every penny would be spent transparently on the progress and prosperity of the province.
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
India has intensified ‘terrorism campaign' inside Pakistan through proxies, says PM Shehbaz
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said India had intensified 'terrorism campaign' in Pakistan through its proxies after having suffered a 'humiliating defeat' in recent conflict with Pakistan, according a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The premier's statement came as he visited Command & Staff College Quetta and addressed the faculty and graduating officers. Pakistan will not allow India to cross Indus Waters Treaty red line: PM Shehbaz 'India after having suffered a humiliating defeat during Ma'rka-e-Haq has now intensified its campaign of terrorism inside Pakistan through its proxies,' PM Shehbaz was quoted as saying in the ISPR statement. The prime minister resolved that all such 'nefarious and ill designs of India and its proxy Fitna al Hindustan' would be defeated by Pakistan. He commended the performance of the Pakistan Armed Forces during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos against India. 'The prime minister praised the bravery, professionalism, and sacrifice of the Armed Forces, saying that their exemplary conduct has earned the nation's highest accolades,' ISPR said. He highlighted the importance of the armed forces in safeguarding the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security, while reaffirming the government's commitment to supporting the armed forces in their mission to protect the nation. Earlier on arrival at Command & Staff College, PM Shehbaz was received by the Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M). Pakistan shot down six Indian jets, not five: PM Shehbaz The heaviest fighting in decades between Pakistan and India was sparked by an April 22 attack in the Indian Illegally Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. New Delhi blamed the incident on 'terrorists' backed by Pakistan, a charge denied by Islamabad. On May 7, Indian jets bombed what New Delhi claimed 'terrorist infrastructure' sites across the border. Pakistan has said it downed six Indian planes, including at least three Rafale fighters, in the initial clashes. The ceasefire was announced on May 10 after bitter fighting in which both sides used fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan will not allow India to cross Indus Waters Treaty red line: PM Shehbaz
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that Pakistan will not allow India to cross the red line by holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. Addressing International Conference on Glaciers, Preservation-2025 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, the PM said India's unilateral and illegal decision to hold in abeyance the Indus Water Treaty is deeply regrettable. 'Millions of lives must not be held hostage to narrow political gains,' PM Shehbaz said. Meanwhile, the PM called for an enhanced global action to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. He emphasized that the developed countries must meet their climate related financial commitments without any delay. 'Adequate funding for climate resilient infrastructure and overcoming financing gap remains critical,' the PM said, adding that investments must be made in the early warning systems and disaster preparedness and management. The premier highlighted that Pakistan possesses one of the largest glaciated areas outside the Polar Region. He further said that glaciers contribute nearly half of the annual flow in the Indus Water River system, 'the lifeline of our civilization, culture and economy'. He said the five great rivers that shape our geographical landscape: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej depend on the stability of glacial system, emphasizing that this makes Pakistan one of the most vulnerable countries to any climatic changes that impact glaciers.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan reaffirms commitment to bolstering UN peacekeeping mission: PM Shehbaz
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's enduring commitment to United Nations peacekeeping missions on Thursday, urging the international community to adapt UN operations to meet evolving global challenges. In a message on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, He highlighted that more than 235,000 Pakistani troops have served in 48 UN missions over the last seven decades. A total of 181 Pakistani peacekeepers have lost their lives in the line of duty. 'This day provides an appropriate opportunity to assess the challenges faced by UN peacekeeping forces, such as rising unilateralism, financial constraints, increasing threats to the safety and security of UN peacekeepers, misinformation campaigns targeting UN peace operations, and the impacts of emerging technologies,' He said. PM Shehbaz called for increased international efforts to support the safety and operational effectiveness of peacekeeping forces worldwide. PM Shehbaz also urged stronger backing for the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), which monitors the ceasefire along the Line of Control in the disputed territory of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). PM Shehbaz said that recent developments in South Asia reinforced the urgency of resolving the Kashmir issue in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar echoed the PM's sentiments, noting that UN peacekeeping remains one of the most reliable and cost-effective means to preserve global peace. He called for technological innovation and strengthened regional partnerships to enhance future operations. Pakistan and the Republic of Korea co-hosted the United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting in Islamabad on April 15–16, 2025, with a theme 'Towards a Safer and More Effective Peacekeeping: Leveraging Technology and Integrated Approaches.'
