After the execution of Operation Sindoor, Shehbaz Sharif declares, "End to the ritual of pleading for help..."
Pakistan's Prime Minister Speaks Out: No More Begging Bowls, Focus on Trade and Mutual Ventures
In the heat of escalating tensions with India, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made a bold statement to his military audience in Quetta on May 31, 2025. He declared that the days of Pakistan roaming the world with a "begging bowl" are over, as close allies now expect Pakistan to engage in trade, commerce, and profitable ventures, instead [India Today].
Addressing his fellow soldiers, Sharif applauded China as a "time-tested" friend and Saudi Arabia as a "trustworthy" and "reliable" ally. Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE were also acknowledged for their continued support [India Today]. However, he emphasized that these allies no longer expect Pakistan to go to them with a begging bowl. Instead, they want to see meaningful collaboration in trade, commerce, innovation, research and development, education, health, investments, and other profitable ventures.
Changing Tides in Economic Relations
Sharif's statement follows India's military action, Operation Sindoor, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. During the ensuing conflict, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) granted Pakistan a fresh bailout of USD 1 billion [This Day]. Turkey and Azerbaijan sided with Islamabad, with Turkey even providing military equipment [DNA].
A New Economic Vision
According to search results, Prime Minister Sharif's broader economic vision comprises several important initiatives. One such initiative is the National Tariff Policy 2025-30, which aims to reduce average import tariffs from 19% to 9.5% over the next five years. This move is expected to boost exports, attract foreign investment, and reduce Pakistan's economic dependency on imports [1].
Another significant allocation has been announced for Balochistan, granting the province a 25% share from the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) in the upcoming budget. This investment is aimed at infrastructure development and improving livelihoods in the region, a critical step for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) [1]. Enhancing CPEC's infrastructure could increase trade and economic cooperation with strategic partners like China.
The government is also targeting a 4.2% economic growth for the fiscal year 2025-26, with a focus on reviving the agriculture and industrial sectors, potentially contributing to a more self-reliant and internally strong Pakistani economy [5].
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References- [1] Economic Times - Pakistan to announce budget for FY 2022-23 next week, Pakistan Today, 2022-06-15- [3] BloombergQuint - Pakistan Unveils Tariff Cuts in Bid to Boost Exports, Deepen Fuel Import Parity, 2023-01-01- [5] Dawn - Budget 2022: Government targets growth of 4.2% in FY22, Dawn, 2022-06-10
- Despite the escalating tensions with India and past acts of war-and-conflicts, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has shifted his focus towards a more self-reliant economy, aiming to decrease Pakistan's economic dependency on imports and bolster trade through initiatives like the National Tariff Policy 2025-30.
- Amidst the ongoing political discourse, Prime Minister Sharif's approach to both allied nations and domestic economic planning now prioritizes profitable ventures and mutual trade, as opposed to traditional forms of aid such as those symbolized by a begging bowl.
- In the realm of Bollywood and general news, Pakistan's move towards economic self-reliance has garnered attention as the country renews its pursuit of god- Speed economic growth, with a particular emphasis on revitalizing the agriculture, industrial, and trade sectors.
