Page 3 - Shehbaz Sharif

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

Lashkar proxy TRF denies Pahalgam attack link, alleges cyber intrusion

The Resistance Front denies involvement in the Pahalgam attack, blaming a cyber intrusion by Indian operatives for a false message, and says the group is investigating the source of the breach

Pakistan ready for 'neutral' probe into Pahalgam attack: PM Shehbaz Sharif

Pahalgam attack: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says Islamabad is willing to join a 'neutral, transparent' investigation into the terror attack that killed 26 people

Pahalgam attack: Kaneria blames Pak PM for shielding, nurturing terrorists

Former spinner Danish Kaneria has accused Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of "sheltering and nurturing terrorists", suggesting that his country has a role in the Pahalgam terror attack in India which led to 26 deaths. In a post on X, the 44-year-old UK-based Kaneria said that Sharif has maintained a stoic silence on the attack, which is indicative of Pakistan's role. Sharif may not have personally commented on the gruesome incident but the Pakistan Foreign Office has expressed concern over the loss of life. "If Pakistan truly has no role in the Pahalgam terror attack, why hasn't Prime Minister @CMShehbaz condemned it yet? Why are your forces suddenly on high alert? Because deep down, you know the truth - you're sheltering and nurturing terrorists. Shame on you," Kaneria, who was banned for alleged spot-fixing in English county cricket, posted on X. Terrorists killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam on Tuesday in the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama str

Explained: What is India-Pak Simla Agreement and why it still matters

Pakistan announced the suspension of the Simla Agreement in retaliation against India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Here's how the two arch-rivals reached the agreement in 1972

Pak govt takes Musk-style DOGE action, abolishes 150,000 jobs to cut costs

Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday announced that the federal government has decided to cut the number of affiliated agencies by half, abolishing 150,000 jobs, as part of a sweeping cost-cutting and efficiency drive. "We are reducing the federal government's size step by step. So far, 80 departments have been consolidated into 40," Aurangzeb said at a press conference where he highlighted the government's goal to complete these reforms by June 2025. He added that 60 per cent of vacant positions have been abolished, which comes to 150,000 government jobs. He said that right-sizing was part of the restructuring initiative launched in mid-2024 by a committee formed under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to rationalise expenditures and improve performance. According to the minister, the committee was to look into 43 ministries and their subordinate agencies. He said that the federal government's annual expenditure on these departments was Rs900 billion. He said tha

Pak govt forms panel to negotiate with jailed ex-PM Imran Khan's party

The PTI welcomed the formation of the government committee for negotiations, calling it a "positive step"

Imran Khan's PTI condemns violence against protestors by security forces

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party alleged that the government's security forces assaulted the peaceful protesters in Islamabad during their rally

Pak PM says terrorism 'biggest challenge', vows to crush terrorist elements

Describing terrorism as the biggest challenge, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday vowed to crush the terrorist elements for peace and progress of the country, which is struggling to deal with the increasing terror attacks. Addressing a meeting of the Apex Committee of the National Action Plan (NAP) at the Prime Minister House attended by all chief ministers, army chief and other services chiefs, heads of military and civilian intelligence agencies, ministers and high officials, Sharif voiced concerns over the uptick in terror attacks in bordering states. "Terrorism is the biggest challenge, he said, emphasising the scourge staring in the eyes of the civilian and military leadership. "We have no other choice but to crush the terrorist elements for peace and progress of the country," he said, adding that national reconciliation, progress and economic development were not possible without crushing evil. Speaking at the meeting, Army Chief General Asim Munir said that anyon