London: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has praised the invaluable contributions of Overseas Pakistanis in strengthening the country’s economy and enhancing its image on the global level. Addressing a gathering of Overseas Pakistanis in London, the Prime Minister acknowledged the relentless efforts of Pakistani expatriates who, through their hard work across the globe, sent home over 38 billion dollars in remittances. He said these remittances have played a crucial role in supporting the economy.
According to Radio Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated the expatriate community on Pakistan’s recent military success against India during the “Marka-e-Haq” and “Operation Bunyanum Marsoos” following the Pahalgam incident. The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan had offered to form an international committee to investigate the incident, but India refused and instead targeted civilians inside Pakistan. He said Pakistan had no choice but to respond and that the Pakistan Air Force shot down six Indian fighter jets in retaliation. He praised the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for leading the Marka-e-Haq.
Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the unity between political and military leadership, faith in Allah, and the professionalism of the armed forces as keys to this success. He reiterated Pakistan’s desire for peace and dialogue with India, particularly seeking a peaceful resolution for all outstanding issues, especially Kashmir, on equal footing. Additionally, he condemned the ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza, calling them unprecedented atrocities in history, and urged the Muslim Ummah to promote peace in the Middle East.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s resolve to transform Pakistan into a resilient, debt-free economy focused on sustainable growth and self-reliance. He emphasized the importance of modern education, stating the need to equip youth with skills in IT and Artificial Intelligence to compete globally. He reminded the audience of Pakistan’s founding fathers’ vision for a dignified and respected place among the nations, asserting that with strong will, unity, and a clear vision, this goal is attainable.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, addressing the gathering, described overseas Pakistanis as a vital bridge between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, playing a crucial role in strengthening bilateral ties. He recalled that when the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government assumed office in 2022, the country was on the brink of default. However, through focused economic reforms and responsible fiscal management, they managed to stabilize the economy. He noted that inflation and interest rates have decreased, and key economic indicators are showing improvement. He emphasized that Pakistan is moving forward with national consensus in defense, economy, and diplomacy.
Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif highlighted the severe internal and external challenges faced by the current government. He termed remittances from overseas Pakistanis as a lifeline for the country’s economy and called the victory in Marka-e-Haq an unprecedented event in Pakistan’s military history. Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain referred to the Pakistani diaspora as one of the country’s greatest assets. He highlighted how recent developments, including Marka-e-Haq and the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defense agreement, have elevated Pakistan’s image internationally. He noted the unity between Pakistan’s political and military leadership is now translating into real progress.