Shehbaz | Pakistan

LONDON: Prime Min­ister Shehbaz Sharif arr­ived in London in the early hours of Saturday morning after attending the in­augural meeting of the ‘Board of Peace’ in Was­hington, convened by US President Donald Trump. The prime minister’s spe­cial aircraft touched down at Luton Airport, after which he travelled to his residence in the British capital. Sources said he would remain in London for two days before leaving for Pakistan on Monday. He is accompanied on the visit by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar. The premier had travelled to the United States at President Trump’s invitation to participate in the high-level gathering foc­u­sed on Gaza and broader peace efforts. Addressing the gathering in Washington, PM Shehbaz stressed the need to end ceasefire violations in Gaza, calling it “very important” for achieving long lasting peace in the war-torn territory. “The people of Palestine have long endured illegal occupation and immense suffering,” he said, adding that pro...

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) stayed on Friday a trial by the court of an additional district judge in Lahore in a RS10 billion defamation suit filed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif against PTI founder Imran Khan. In his suit filed in 2017, PM Shehbaz said Imran levelled baseless allegations against him. He sought a decree for the recovery of Rs10bn as compensation from the defendant for the publication of defamatory content. The defamation suit said Imran wrongly accused PM Shehbaz of offering Rs10bn to the latter through a common friend in exchange for withdrawing the Panama Papers case. The PTI founder had contended in his reply that he had disclosed the alleged incident for the consumption of the public at large, and an act in the interest of the public good did not constitute any defamation. He maintained that he did not specifically attribute any statement to the PM Shehbaz while narrating the incident. A three-judge SC bench, headed by Justice Ayesha A Malik and including Justices Muhammad Hashim ...

The PTI on Friday criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for attending the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, and reiterating its objection to Pakistan joining the board without consultation. The Board of Peace — formally established last month after being proposed in September 2025 and originally meant to oversee peace in Gaza — held its inaugural meeting on February 19, attended by several world leaders, including PM Shehbaz. In a statement posted on X, the party said it once again expressed “grave concern over the government of Pakistan’s decision to join the Board of Peace without transparency, parliamentary debate, or consultation with major political stakeholders of the country”. “Decisions of such international significance must be rooted in constitutional procedure, democratic oversight and national consensus,” it said. The party maintained that it did not recognise the legitimacy of the present Parliament, formed after the “manipulated 2024 elections”. “Nevertheless, even this Parliament was ...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed on Thursday the need for an end to ceasefire violations in Gaza, saying that it was “very important” for long-lasting peace in the war-torn Strip. The premier expressed these views during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, which is led by US President Donald Trump, in Washington. “The people of Palestine have long endured the illegal occupation and immense suffering. And, to achieve long-lasting peace, it is very important that ceasefire violations must end to preserve life and advance reconstruction efforts,” PM Shehbaz emphasised in his address. “The people of Palestine must exercise full control of their land and their future, in line with the UN Security Council resolutions,” he added. PM Shehbaz further said, “We must work together towards a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination through the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous state of Palestine in line with relevant resolutions”. He expressed the hope that under Trump’s ...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Vienna on Sunday for his two-day tour of Austria, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. “The prime minister and the Pakistani delegation were warmly welcomed upon arrival at the Vienna International Airport, and a contingent of the Austrian Armed Forces presented a salute,” the statement read. PM Shehbaz announced his arrival in Vienna in a post on X, calling it a “city of history, culture and global diplomacy”. “I look forward to my meeting with Chancellor Christian Stocker to further strengthen the bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Austria,” the premier said, adding that their focus would be trade, investment and economic cooperation. He added that he was keen to meet the leadership of the International Atomic Energy Agency, (IAEA) the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the UN Industrial Development Organisation during his visit. PM Shehbaz said that these engagements aimed to “deepen our cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy, c...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi to address the security situation in Islamabad in a meeting on Saturday. A press release by the prime minister’s media wing said that during the meeting, the interior minister briefed the premier on the overall security situation of the country. “The prime minister was also given a detailed briefing on the current overall situation and security in Islamabad,” it added. According to the press release, PM Shehbaz directed Naqvi to address the security situation in Islamabad and other matters “in an effective and efficient manner”. The statement by the premier’s media wing further said that Naqvi would soon visit Sri Lanka, where he would “convey the prime minister’s special message” to the Sri Lankan president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Islamabad has experienced two major suicide attacks in recent weeks. One occurred on 6 February, when 36 people were killed and over 150 injured in a suicide bombing at an imambargah during Friday ...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday held a telephone call with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, lauding the Gulf country’s “consistent and unwavering support to Pakistan”. According to a press release, during their “warm and cordial conversation”, the two leaders “fondly” recalled their recent meetings in Islamabad and Rahim Yar Khan last month. “The prime minister lauded the UAE’s consistent and unwavering support to Pakistan that had helped the country navigate through difficult challenges,” the statement said. “This support was a manifestation of the historic, fraternal bonds between the leadership and the people of both countries,” PM Shehbaz was quoted as saying. The statement added that the two leaders reaffirmed their shared desire to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE. “The two leaders also exchanged views on other matters of mutual interest and agreed to remain in close contact,” the statement said. In a post on the...

Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed on Thursday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would attend the upcoming Board of Peace meeting in the US, saying that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar would also accompany him. Andrabi’s confirmation follows reports that said PM Shehbaz was expected to visit Washington on February 18 and represent Pakistan at the first meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, which is scheduled for Feb 19 at the US Institute of Peace. “I can confirm that the prime minister will attend the upcoming Board of Peace meeting. He will be accompanied by the deputy prime minister and foreign minister,” Andrabi said during a weekly briefing of the FO. He added that information about other members of Pakistan’s delegation and its engagements would be shared in due course of time. Asked specifically whether Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir would be included in the delegation, the FO spokesperson reiterated:...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that he was confident that the visit of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev would open “new avenues for shared prosperity”. He made the remarks on X after President Tokayev spent a busy day in Islamabad, meeting with the Pakistani leadership. “Delighted to host my dear brother President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Islamabad on this historic visit — the first by a Kazakh president in 23 years,” PM Shehbaz said. “We agreed to elevate our relations to a strategic partnership, enhance bilateral trade to $1 billion, deepen regional connectivity, and expand cooperation across economic, defence, energy, and people-to-people domains,” he said. “We also addressed the Pakistan–Kazakhstan Business Forum, where it was heartening to see business leaders from both nations engaging to create new opportunities across key sectors,” he added. “I am confident that President Tokayev’s visit will open new avenues for shared prosperity and stronger regional integration. Our two s...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fostering friendly relations with Libya, state-broadcaster PTV reported. The development came as a high-level delegation from Libya called on PM Shehbaz at the Prime Minister’s House, PTV said in a post on X. It said that the delegation comprised Libyan Prime Minister Dr Osama Saad Hamad, Libyan Arab Armed Forces Commander-in-chief Field Marshal Khalifa Abu-al-Qasim Haftar and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar. It said that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir were also present during the meeting. “During the discussions, both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relations,” PTV said. “The meeting reflected the shared desire to enhance cooperation in areas of common concern and to promote peace, stability, and development at regional and...

ISLAMABAD: World Bank Group (WBG) President Ajay Banga called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday as Pakistan acknowledged the group’s valuable support, which has been instrumental in advancing the country’s economic development and reforms. According to the PM Office, the prime minister welcomed Banga for his first official visit as the president of the WBG. The premier appreciated the group for its long-standing partnership with Pakistan and its commitment to supporting the development priorities of the country, especially through the 10-year WBG Country Partnership Framework (CPF). Shehbaz also appreciated Banga’s leadership in transforming the WBG into a more impactful development partner. He said that the government of Pakistan was vigorously working on an economic reform agenda, with a multi-pronged, comprehensive, structural, homegrown programme aimed at sustainable economic stability. The prime minister also appreciated the support of the global financial institution in resilient infrastructure...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced a Rs4.4 reduction in the per unit rate of electricity for the industrial sector in a bid to improve productivity and exports. The premier stated this during an address to the country’s major exporters and business figures at a ceremony in Islamabad, which was held to honour their contributions. “A Rs4.4 reduction is being made in the electricity unit rate for industries,” said the premier, adding that “if it were in his control, he would reduce it by another Rs10.” “However, my hands are tied, as you all know well,” he said. PM Shehbaz also announced a reduction in wheeling charges for industries, stating that “it will be less than Rs9”. He hoped that the move would help “industries sell their power to neighbouring industries”. To provide additional relief, the premier said that “with the cooperation and support of Pakistan’s banks, we are announcing a reduction in the export refinance rate from earlier 7.5pc to 4.5pc”. At the outset of his address, the premie...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said Pakistan was committed to working closely with the European Union (EU) on mutually beneficial trade enhancement initiatives, especially through the GSP+ status. According to a handout by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz made these remarks while meeting the EU’s Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis, who called on him in Islamabad. According to the EU, GSP+ status is a special incentive awarded to developing countries to “pursue sustainable development and good governance” in exchange for cutting import duties to zero on two-thirds of the tariff lines of its exports. Governments with this status need to implement 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, good governance and the environment. According to the handout issued on Thursday, the premier welcomed the ambassador and reaffirmed “Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen cooperation with the EU in all areas of mutual interest, particularly trade, investment, development,...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday congratulated the nation on the completion of Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) privatisation as he, alongside Chief of Defence Forces and Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, witnessed the signing of documents pertaining to the transaction. The documents were signed by the government and a consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation Limited at a ceremony in Islamabad, where several federal ministers were also present. The Arif Habib-led consortium had won the auction for 75 per cent shares of PIA in December last year, making a winning bid of Rs135 billion. After the documents were signed, PM Shehbaz said, “I want to congratulate the entire nation from the bottom of my heart on the completion of PIA’s privatisation, the process for which began a month ago.” He commended Arif Habib and his team, terming them “committed business ambassadors of Pakistan”. “Their performance in the industrial growth and progress of Pakistan is very prominent,” he added. He said as Habi...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed the resolve to completely eradicate polio from the country, state-run Radio Pakistan said on Wednesday. According to the report, he made the remarks while speaking to Gates Foundation Global Development President Chris Elias in Islamabad. “The government is implementing a comprehensive strategy and taking practical actions with an effective team,” the report quoted him as saying. The premier also expressed deep gratitude for the collaboration of Bill Gates and Saudi Arabia in the fight against polio, it said. It stated that despite significant progress in the fight against polio, PM Shehbaz emphasised that emergency measures were “still necessary”. According to Radio Pakistan, PM Shehbaz said, “The federal government is working in full coordination with the provinces to ensure the accessibility of polio teams throughout the country under an effective strategy.” “He said relevant projects under the Public Sector Development Programme for the polio eradication campai...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday emphasised the need to expand cooperation between Pakistan and Myanmar. He made the remarks as Myanmar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Than Swe, who is currently undertaking a four-day official visit to Islamabad, called on him in Islamabad, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. “Welcoming the visiting dignitary and reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding relations with Myanmar, the prime minister underscored the importance of expanding cooperation in trade and economic engagement, education, culture, capacity-building, and people-to-people exchanges,” the statement said. He also appreciated Myanmar’s cooperation in combating trafficking and its support for Pakistan’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Meanwhile, the Burmese foreign minister thanked PM Shehbaz for the warm welcome accorded to him and his delegation. “He conveyed the greetings and good wishes from Myanmar’s leadership and expressed M...

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday said that he briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the “International Cricket Council (ICC) matter”, saying that a “final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday”. According to a handout by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Naqvi had called on the premier in Islamabad earlier today. “During the meeting, he briefed the prime minister on the recent situation regarding ICC T20 World Cup and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB),” the handout said. Subsequently, Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), stated that he had a “productive” meeting with PM Shehbaz. “[I] briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday,” the post read. The development comes as questions have been raised about Pakistan’s participation in the tournament following the ICC’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotlan...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir on Thursday held informal meetings with various world leaders on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The two met with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir also attended US President Donald Trump’s address to world leaders at the WEF held on Wednesday. Field Marshal Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the WEF, just before the signing ceremony for the Board of Peace Charter. In a post on X, Dar said he and the field marshal met Fidan moments before the ceremony, writing, “Pakistani and Turkish nations share a strong bond which has stood the test of time and is cherished deeply by both nations.” The ...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that export-led growth was the only way forward for Pakistan. The premier made the remarks while addressing a breakfast event at the Pakistan Pavilion on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. In his remarks, the premier said Pakistan “is moving forward with a sense of achievement and a sense of purpose”, noting a drop in the inflation rate and a reduction in the policy rate. However, he noted that exports were facing challenges and that social indicators “need to be improved through continuous joint efforts”. “Our exports, collectively, do face different kinds of challenges,” the premier noted. “But the way forward is very clear: Pakistan has to have export-led growth,” he asserted. PM Shehbaz said that the government brought in “fundamental structural changes” to the system, such as digitalising revenue collection. He stated that the tax collection-to-GDP ratio stood at 10.5pc, compared to 9pc two years ago, hailing it as a “significant achi...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday arrived in Davos, Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF). In a post on X, PM Shehbaz wrote that he arrived to advance Pakistan’s engagement at the WEF with global trade and investment partners. A video included with the post showed him disembarking from his plane, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. “Pakistan’s ongoing economic reform journey is unlocking profound opportunities, driven by a resilient and entrepreneurial workforce and significant potential across energy, agriculture, minerals, and emerging technologies,” PM Shehbaz said. He added that Pakistan was “ready to harness this potential into mutually beneficial economic cooperation and long-term investment”. A separate post from the Foreign Office (FO) said that Dar, in addition to participating in WEF sessions, would also hold “sideline bilateral meetings with counterparts to advance Pakistan’s diplomatic and economic prio...