PM Shehbaz says civil, military leadership working jointly on economy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in New York on Thursday that Pakistan's civilian and military leadership is working jointly to strengthen the country's economy and improve diplomatic relations, while supporting efforts for regional peace. He made the remarks at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, speaking to the media alongside Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Shehbaz said consultations among Pakistan's leadership were focused on strengthening the economy and advancing the country's diplomatic interests. He said Pakistan was intensifying efforts to promote peace under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and would continue working with regional partners to reduce tensions.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan's support for Lebanon's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. He said Islamabad strongly condemned violence against Lebanon and that the killing of innocent people was unacceptable. "We will work together to promote peace in the region," Shehbaz said, according to Minute Mirror.

Nawaf Salam welcomed Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to calm regional tensions and said Lebanon could not remain isolated from the wider regional crisis. He expressed hope that Pakistan's efforts would help reduce tensions and create space for a political solution.

Shehbaz also discussed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, saying friendly and brotherly countries were working to de-escalate the situation. He said he had met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and taken him into confidence about Pakistan's diplomatic efforts. According to Shehbaz, Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan's efforts and indicated Iran was ready to continue working under the Islamabad MoU. Shehbaz described Iran as a brotherly neighbouring country.

On security, Shehbaz accused militants coming from Afghanistan of carrying out attacks inside Pakistan and killing civilians as well as military and police personnel. He said Pakistan was responding to the attacks and would not remain inactive until terrorism was eliminated from the country.

Minute Mirror reported that Islamabad's message at the General Assembly combined two priorities: strengthening the domestic economy through collective leadership efforts and pursuing diplomacy to reduce regional tensions.