Page 2 - Shehbaz Sharif

Turkish FM, defence minister to meet Pak PM, look to boost defence ties

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yasir Guler are in Pakistan to hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on issues of mutual interest, including defence industry cooperation. The two arrived here on Wednesday on an official visit. Radio Pakistan reported that during their official engagements, important issues of mutual interest will be discussed. The visit reflects the close and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, rooted in shared history, culture, and mutual trust, it reported. Sources said that among other engagements, the two would also hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on bilateral ties, regional issues, and defence industry cooperation. Turkiye has strong ties with Pakistan and expressed solidarity with it during the military conflict with India in May, which angered India but Istanbul has continued efforts to bolster ties with Islamabad.

Pak to boost storage capacity as India stays firm on Indus water decision

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that his government decided to enhance the water storage capacity, as India continued to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance. A day after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, India took a series of punitive measures against Pakistan that included putting the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in "abeyance". Pakistan's massive agriculture is dependent on the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers, and any effort to divert water, and even temporarily stop it, may spell disaster for the country. State-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported that Sharif, during a visit to the National Emergencies Operations Centre on Tuesday, talked about the water issue. Sharif said the "enemy" wants to take steps against the waters treaty. "For that, the government has decided that we will build our water storage," he said. He said the government would build a non-controversial water storage capacity by utilising resources such as the Diamer Bhasha dam

US' Rubio, Pak PM acknowledge importance of working together for peace

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday acknowledged the importance of working together to promote peace and stability in the region. Rubio dialled Sharif to discuss the Middle East situation. "The two leaders acknowledged the importance of working together to promote a durable peace between Israel and Iran and maintaining regional stability," said Tammy Bruce, US State Department Spokesperson. Both leaders "agreed to continue working together to strengthen Pakistan-US relations, particularly to increase trade", said a statement released by the Pakistan government. Commenting on the current situation in the Middle East, Sharif asserted that Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role in establishing peace in the Middle East. Sharif also praised US President Trump's "courageous and decisive leadership, which led to a ceasefire between Iran and Israel." He also thanked Secretary Rubio for the key role of the United States in the Indo-Pak

Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan will never be restored: Amit Shah

India will not restore the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, says Amit Shah. A new canal will divert water to Rajasthan, marking a major shift in India's river policy and bilateral water sharing

Pakistan's tax exemptions rise to $21 million, economic survey shows

Tax exemptions to various sectors cost Pakistan more than USD 21 billion this year, a higher amount than the USD 17 billion the country is required to repay against its maturing commercial and bilateral external debt, according to the latest economic survey. Unveiled by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday, the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2024-25 documents various economic developments and indicators in a fiscal year. According to the document, the cost of tax exemptions surged to a record Rs 5.8 trillion in the current fiscal year (2024-25), a rise of nearly Rs 2 trillion in the first year of the present government from the previous fiscal year's Rs 3.9 trillion. The Express Tribune newspaper reported that in dollar terms, the cost of tax losses was USD 21 billion, substantially higher than the USD 17 billion Pakistan is required to repay this year against its maturing commercial and bilateral external debt owed to China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and ...

Facing crisis, Pak sent four letters to India asking it to end IWT abeyance

India has stated that the treaty will stay in abeyance until Islamabad "credibly and permanently" halts its support for cross-border terrorism

Pakistan, Turkiye vow to boost strategic ties as Sharif meets Erdogan

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during which the two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reiterated their resolve to elevate the strategic partnership, according to media reports on Monday. Sharif arrived in Turkiye on Sunday on a two-day visit as part of his four-nation tour to friendly countries, which also include Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. According to state broadcaster PTV News, Sharif and Erdogan held a delegation-level meeting on Sunday. In his meeting with President Erdogan, the PM advocated joint ventures and enhanced bilateral investment, highlighting key sectors, including renewable energy, information technology, defence production, infrastructure development, and agriculture as potential areas of mutual interest. The two leaders also carried out a comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reiterated their resolve to elevate the strategic partnership. Both s

Pakistan govt promotes Army Chief General Asim Munir as Field Marshal

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir was on Tuesday promoted as the Field Marshal for "successfully" leading the armed forces in the recent conflict with India, state-run TV reported. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The state-run PTV reported that the cabinet took the important decision to promote General Asim Munir as Field Marshal of the country. The decision was taken for his "exemplary role" in the conflict with India, it added.

Shehbaz Sharif makes U-turn, confirms Indian missile strike on Pak airbase

In a rare admission, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that Indian missiles struck Nur Khan Airbase on May 10, breaking from Pakistan's usual stance of denial

Pakistan-Turki dosti zindabad: Erdogan to Pak PM as Indians boycott Türkiye

Following Türkiye's open support to Pakistan, #BoycottTurkey was trending on social media platforms as tensions escalated between India and Pakistan

Owaisi mocks Pakistan PM, Army chief with 'leased Chinese aircraft' jibe

Asaduddin Owaisi mocks Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir after Indian strike on Rahim Yar Khan airbase asks if they can land their leased Chinese aircraft now

US hails India-Pak understanding; House panel calls Trump 'Prez of peace'

India and Pakistan have reached an understanding after US mediation, says Marco Rubio. However, India has clarified that no broader talks are planned

IMF approves disbursement of $1 bn loan to Pakistan despite India's warning

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday approved the immediate disbursement of about USD 1 billion to Pakistan under the ongoing Extended Fund Facility, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the approval of a USD 1bn dollar instalment for Pakistan by the IMF and the failure of India's high-handed tactics against it," according to a statement issued by the PMO. It said Pakistan's economic situation has improved and the country is moving towards development.

US Secretary of State urges India, Pak to de-escalate amid rising tensions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, stressing the need for dialogue and decisive action against terrorism

Shehbaz Sharif says Pak Army was ready, lauds forces for 'swift response'

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the Pakistan Army was ready for an Indian attack, lauding his forces for the "swift response". Addressing a session of the Parliament amid escalated tensions between the two countries, Shehbaz claimed that the Pakistan armed forces destroyed five Indian jets. He, however, did not provide any evidence in support of his claim. "Last night, 80 Indian aircraft were part of the offensive, but Pakistan's air defence effectively neutralised the threat, he claimed. The Prime Minister lauded the Pakistan Air Force and its chief "for the swift response", saying that the armed forces had prior intelligence about India's plans. "We shot down five enemy jets, including Rafales, and also downed two Indian drones, he claimed, without providing any evidence to back up his claims. Referring to Rafale jets, the prime minister claimed Pakistan jammed their systems. "Our armed forces were on high alert round the clock and ready to defend the homel

Pak ready to 'wrap' tensions if India de-escalates: Defence Minister Asif

Pakistan is ready to "wrap up" tensions with India, if New Delhi de-escalates the situation, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday. His remarks came hours after India carried out a military strike on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Asif was reported as saying by Bloomberg Television that Pakistan will only respond if attacked. "We have been saying all along in the last fortnight that we'll never initiate anything hostile towards India. But if we're attacked, we'll respond. If India backs down, we will definitely wrap up this tension," he said. Regarding the possibility of talks, the minister said he was not aware of any such potential engagements. Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack.

Chinese envoy meets Pak PM to discuss ongoing tensions, peace with India

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad and exchanged views on the India-Pakistan tensions as Beijing kept abreast with the evolving situation. Official media here quoted a press release by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan on Friday stating that Jiang met Sharif on Thursday and reiterated China's earlier call for both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint. China understands Pakistan's legitimate security concerns and supports its efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and security interests, the press release quoted Jiang as saying. He expressed China's support for a prompt and impartial investigation into the incident and called on both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, meet each other halfway, properly manage differences, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, the release said. Sharif briefed Jiang on recent tensions and expressed appreciation for China's constructive efforts to promote peace and stabil

Pak PM, President meet amid India tension, vow 'befitting' response

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met on Thursday to discuss the security situation and vowed to respond to "any act of aggression in a befitting manner. The two met for the first time as tensions rose between India and Pakistan after terrorists killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. According to an official statement, they said that Pakistan would never compromise on its territorial integrity and sovereignty and would respond to any act of aggression in a befitting manner. Pakistani nation is united and stands behind its armed forces, who are capable of responding to any threat or aggression, the leaders said. Separately, Sharif also had a telephonic conversation with the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Radio Pakistan reported. During the conversation, he reiterated his offer of cooperation for a "transparent" investigation into the terror attack. A day after the attack, India announced

US State Secy Rubio speaks with Jaishankar, Pak PM Sharif as tensions rise

Marco Rubio informed Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif about the need to condemn the terror attack that took place in the Valley

Post-Pahalgam, Centre urges media to avoid live coverage of defence ops

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has urged Indian media houses to avoid live coverage of defence ops, warns premature reporting may aid hostile forces