Latest news with #ShehbazSharif


Arab News
36 minutes ago
- General
- Arab News
Gaza in the spotlight during Pakistani PM's regional diplomacy tour
ISLAMABAD: The leaders of Pakistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan met on Wednesday at a trilateral summit in Lachin and called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, saying Israel's war on the besieged enclave was the clearest example of the 'crisis of legitimacy' of the international system. The trilateral summit was addressed by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. 'In these days of deepening polarization and increasing blockization, we are witnessing the international system gradually drifting into a crisis of legitimacy,' Erdogan said during his speech. 'The clearest example of the crisis of the international system is Israel's relentless cruelty and expansionist policies in Palestine.' He said countries like Turkiye and Pakistan would continue defending the rights of the people of Gaza. 'We call on the entire world from here [trilateral summit] to increase pressure on the Israeli administration for establishing a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and for taking uninterrupted emergency humanitarian aid into Gaza,' the Turkish leader added. Earlier, Sharif had also called for an 'immediate ceasefire' in Gaza and access to 'unimpeded humanitarian aid' for its people. 'They also expressed deep concern over the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza, urgently calling for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to the affected Palestinian population,' Sharif's office said after he met Erdogan. Israel launched its latest air and ground war in Gaza after a cross-border attack by the Hamas group on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people by Israeli tallies, with 251 hostages abducted into Gaza. The war has killed more than 53,900 Palestinians since, according to Gaza health authorities, and devastated the coastal strip. The entire 2.1 million population of Gaza is facing prolonged food shortages, with nearly half a million people in a catastrophic situation of hunger, acute malnutrition, starvation, illness and death, according to the World Health Organization. Food security groups say more than 93 percent of children in Gaza, about 930,000, are at risk of famine. Using satellite data, the United Nations estimated in February that 69 percent of the structures in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.


Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Ready to forestall India's IWT threat: PM
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated that Pakistan always wanted peace in the region and was willing to discuss all bilateral issues with India on the negotiation table if India showed sincerity of purpose and cooperation. Addressing the second trilateral summit in Lachin city of Azerbaijan, the prime minister referred to the recent aggression of India and said that with Allah Almighty's infinite blessings and kindness, with the support of people of Pakistan, and friendly countries, and resolute response of the armed forces, they emerged victorious. In his speech, the prime minister further said that Pakistan wanted peace in the region and that required talks on the table to discuss the issues that needed urgent attention and amicable solution like the issue of Kashmir which should be resolved according to the UNSC resolutions and as per aspiration of the people of Kashmir. The prime minister said unfortunately, India tried to weaponise the Indus Waters Treaty which was a lifeline for the 240 million population of Pakistan that used the water for agriculture, drinking and other purposes. "It is most unfortunate that India tried to threaten to stop the flow of water into Pakistan. This is not possible, this is never possible and will not be possible Insha'Allah. We are making proper arrangements to ensure that India never ever does it," he emphatically maintained. The prime minister said if India wanted to talk on countering terrorism with sincerity of purpose, Pakistan would be willing to talk to them on this issue as well. "We are the biggest victim of terrorism around the globe and lost 90,000 valuable lives and suffered $150 billion worth of economic losses over the last many decades. There can be no bigger manifestation of our commitment and intention to beat this menace for all times to come," he added. If India showed serious and honest cooperation, he said Pakistan would be willing to discuss all the issues, including promotion of trade with India, on the negotiation table. The prime minister also appreciated the role of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir who, he said, led the armed forces of Pakistan to fight with great bravery and the highest level of professional acumen while the entire nation was standing behind them. The prime minister said that during the conflict with India, he found the Field Marshal as 'God-fearing, fearless, firm with iron resolve, patience and fortitude to face that aggression.' He reiterated that during the recent conflict, India failed to bring out any credible evidences against Pakistan and rejected their sincere offer for a neutral and transparent investigation into so-called Pahalagam incident by any international body. Azerbaijan's Independence Day Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for unity, peace and justice in the region while highlighting the deepening bonds among Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, declaring the relationship as now "three souls and one heart." In his address at the Independence Day Ceremony of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Lachin, PM Shehbaz praised the leadership and bravery of the Azerbaijani people, who under President Aliyev's "visionary and dynamic leadership" liberated the region of Karabakh after decades of occupation. The addressing dignitaries also included President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye. "It is a matter of great honor to be here today, celebrating both Azerbaijan's Independence Day and Pakistan's Youm-e-Takbeer - the day we became a nuclear power in 1998," the Prime Minister stated, underscoring the symbolic significance of May 28 for both nations. In his address, the Prime Minister expressed heartfelt congratulations to the people of Azerbaijan and paid tribute to the sacrifices of their armed forces and martyrs. He emphasized the unwavering support that Pakistan and Turkey provided during Azerbaijan's struggle for territorial integrity. "When Armenia attacked Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Turkey stood like a rock beside it. And today, when India attacked Pakistan, President Erdogan and President Aliyev stood like a formidable fortress beside us. This is true brotherhood," Shehbaz Sharif said. The Prime Minister spoke candidly about recent hostilities between India and Pakistan. Referring to the April 22 incident in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians were killed, he condemned India's immediate blame on Pakistan without evidence. "Pakistan offered an international inquiry commission for a free and transparent probe, but instead, India launched a deadly attack that killed 36 innocent Pakistanis, including children," he revealed. "We had no choice but to defend our nation." Shehbaz detailed Pakistan's military response, describing the downing of six Indian fighter jets - including four Rafales — and significant damage to Indian military installations. He praised the composure and leadership of Pakistan's armed forces, particularly Air Chief and Field Marshal COAS Asim Munir, for a swift and measured retaliation. "At 9 a.m., Field Marshal Asim Munir informed me that India had requested a ceasefire. I said, Allah Almighty has granted us a glowing victory - we must now act wisely, not prolong the conflict." Sharif also turned attention to other global humanitarian crises, particularly in IIOJK and Gaza. "The valley of Kashmir is red with the blood of freedom fighters. Despite tyranny and brutality, they stand firm in their pursuit of freedom — a right enshrined in UN Security Council resolutions," he said, reaffirming Pakistan's unwavering support. Addressing the tragedy in Gaza, PM Shehbaz condemned the ongoing atrocities: "Over 52,000 Palestinians — children, women, the elderly — have been martyred. Their blood stains the streets of Gaza. There is no modern precedent to this level of brutality." He called on the international community to awaken its conscience and echoed global praise for President Erdogan's vocal advocacy for the oppressed. "Let our voices rise - in the name of God — to demand a ceasefire and justice for the people of Gaza." Describing the trilateral meeting between Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan as "productive and inspiring," PM Shehbaz concluded his address with a call for regional unity and enduring friendship. "Our flags today flutter high — as emblems of unity, hope, and strength," he said, adding, "We will continue to stand with our brothers and sisters, whether in Karabakh, Kashmir, or Gaza. This is our shared commitment, our shared destiny."


India Today
9 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
In Azerbaijan, Pak PM renews call for talks with India to resolve disputes
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed his desire to resume talks with India, calling for a peaceful resolution of long-standing disputes including Kashmir, water sharing and statement came during the Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit held in Azerbaijan's Lachin, attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham this marks Sharif's second call for dialogue this week, following a similar statement made on Monday in Tehran, where he emphasised readiness to resolve all issues with India through However, India has maintained a firm stance, asserting that any dialogue must focus solely on the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the eradication of terrorism."We must sit together and talk for the sake of peaceThere are issues that demand immediate attention and must be addressed through dialogue,' Pakistani media quoted Sharif as saying, underlining the urgency of issues such as Kashmir, which he claimed should be resolved in accordance with UN resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri also indicated Pakistan's openness to discuss terrorism with India 'in sincerity of purpose' and showed interest in resuming trade relations, stalled since tensions escalated in recent years."I have said in all earnest that if India wants to talk on countering terrorism in sincerity of purpose, Pakistan would be willing to talk to India on this issue as well," he Sharif criticised India's decision to put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, describing it as critical to Pakistan's agricultural and human recent deterioration in India-Pakistan relations follows the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack which resulted in 26 deaths. In response, India retaliated with Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied launched attempted strikes on Indian military bases on May 8-10, all of which were repelled by Indian forces. The hostilities ceased after a meeting between the directors general of military operations on May 10, where both sides agreed to stop military Watch IN THIS STORY#Operation Sindoor#India-Pakistan#Pakistan


Mint
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Caught on camera: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's old video ‘deep-scanning' actor Mawra Hocane goes viral
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's old video of offering an award to actor Mawra Hocane is now becoming viral and being widely shared on social media. According to Hindustan Times, the video, reportedly from 2023, shows the Pakistani prime minister looking at the actor as she walks away with the award. The report added that the incident dates back to the time when Shehbaz Sharif was present during an event at the Governor House in Pakistan's Punjab province. The video was shared in 2023 by Pakistan's UNewsTV with a caption: 'Shahbaz Sharif 'deep-scans" Mawra Hussain while giving award, video goes viral". Mawra Hocane made her Bollywood debut in Sanam Teri Kasam in 2016. She made the headlines following her co-actor Harshvardhan announced that he would not be a part of the film's much-talked-about sequel if Mawra is cast in it. Harshvardhan comments appeared following Mawra had condemned India's Operation Sindoor, which was launched by Indian armed forces in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. Meanwhile, Mawra Hocane was also digitally removed from the poster of Sanam Teri Kasam on music apps. On 7 May, India launched the Operation Sindoor in response to 22 April terror strike at Pahalgam in Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. The Indian armed forces bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), killing at least 100 terrorists. Subsequently, Pakistan launched shelling and attacks on border areas, resulting in civilian casualties in Poonch. In response, India fired missiles and targetted Pakistani air bases. The exchange between the two nations continued over the following three days. Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Pakistani attempts were strongly responded to by the Indian side. After four days of fighting, military hostilities were stopped on May 10 as the two nations reached an understanding.


Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
In Azerbaijan, Pakistan PM Sharif reiterates his willingness to hold talks with India
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated his willingness to hold talks with India, saying the two sides must sit together and address issues, including Kashmir, water and made the comments while addressing the Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit, attended by presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ilham Aliyev, in Lachin, was his second such statement this week to push for talks between India and Pakistan. In Tehran, Sharif on Monday said he was ready to talk with India "to resolve all disputes".India has made it clear that it will only have a dialogue with Pakistan on the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the issue of terrorism."We must sit together and talk for the sake of are issues that demand immediate attention and must be addressed through dialogue," Dawn newspaper quoted Sharif as saying at the trilateral summit in Lachin."I have said in all humility that we want peace in the region [...] and that requires talks on the table on issues which need urgent attention and amicable resolution, that is the issue of Kashmir according to the resolutions of the United Nations and the Security Council and as per the aspirations of the people of Kashmir," he said."I have said in all earnest that if India wants to talk on countering terrorism in sincerity of purpose, Pakistan would be willing to talk to India on this issue as well," he also expressed willingness to resume trade with also criticised India's decision to keep the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, saying it is a lifeline for the people of Pakistan, for their agricultural use, drinking and many other between India and Pakistan escalated after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 carried out precision strikes as part of Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. It was followed by Pakistan's attempt to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.