Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that those responsible for attacking the Pakistan Army on May 9 last year cannot be forgiven, as their actions are crimes against the nation and unforgivable.
Speaking to Pakistani media in London after attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, the prime minister emphasized the gravity of these offenses. He arrived in London on Saturday night and will return to Pakistan on Monday.
Shehbaz condemned the social media campaign targeting the military leadership, including Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, suggesting that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was behind it.
He described the abusive and offensive campaign as digital terrorism, accusing the PTI of crossing all boundaries to harm Pakistan.
He said that “Filthy language is being used on social media against the Pakistan Armed Forces. We will not tolerate this.”
The prime minister expressed satisfaction that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other credit agencies have affirmed Pakistan’s economy is stabilizing and improving, showing signs of upward growth.
He said: “Without the help of brotherly countries — Saudi Arabia, the UAE and China — the IMF programme wouldn’t have been possible. Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir made personal efforts for economic development and he played a big role in the revival of IMF plan. The army chief visited a brotherly country and discussed the IMF programme. I hope this will be the last IMF programme.”
He thanked the Saudi, Kuwaiti, UAE and Chinese leadership for helping Pakistan in stabilizing its economy.
The Prime Minister highlighted the Saudi king’s leadership role in addressing the Palestine issue.
He criticized the previous government for damaging relations with China, stating, “I was accused of taking a 45% commission in a deal with China, but after a two-year investigation, the UK’s National Crime Agency cleared me of all charges.” Shehbaz also emphasized that economic stability is tied to political stability, and his government is working diligently to ensure both.
He added that he successfully presented Pakistan’s stance on Palestine and Kashmir to the international community.
He said: “At my UN address, I conveyed the voice of the Pakistani people to the world as the elected prime minister. We exposed inhumane atrocities being committed in Gaza. We condemn events in Lebanon, and called for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine. We want the immediate establishment of an independent state of Palestine is necessary. Palestinians should have representation at the UN.”
He added: “Kashmiris have been fighting for their freedom for a hundred years. Kashmiris should be granted the right to self-determination; Burhan Wani’s name was mentioned at the UN.”
He said: “We saved Pakistan from the brink of default and brought it back. The burden of extreme inflation in Pakistan is decreasing, and we are moving towards economic growth. The tax base needs to be increased; the common man has been sacrificing for 70 years, now it’s time for the elite to sacrifice.”
The Prime Minister urged India to reverse the unilateral and unlawful actions taken since August 5, 2019, and engage in dialogue for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
PM Shehbaz also condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza, calling it “systematic slaughter” and “bloodshed.” Additionally, he called on the United Nations to pursue lasting peace through a two-state solution.
