LONDON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday lauded the role of Overseas Pakistanis, calling them “national heroes” and the “backbone of Pakistan’s economy,” during a major community gathering in London.
The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain, and underscored the diaspora’s contributions alongside recent economic and geopolitical developments.
“Overseas Pakistanis are not just a financial asset, they are the true ambassadors of Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz said. “Last fiscal year alone, you sent $38.5 billion in remittances, without which Pakistan’s economy could not survive.”
Dar reflected on the government’s early struggles to avert default and credited the Prime Minister’s leadership for stabilizing the economy, while highlighting upcoming initiatives on climate change.
Defense Minister Asif and PM Shehbaz also addressed escalating tensions with India, citing the Pahalgam incident and Pakistan’s retaliatory military action. “We shot down six enemy aircraft in a single strike – a lesson India will not forget,” the Prime Minister remarked.
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Asif stressed that Pakistan gave a “befitting response” and maintained its integrity against a larger adversary.
The leadership further noted Pakistan’s improving global diplomatic standing, new cooperation with Saudi Arabia, and the formation of an international committee to investigate the Pahalgam incident.
