New York (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership was pursuing coordinated efforts to reinforce the national economy while also expanding the country’s diplomatic engagement.
Addressing the media in New York alongside Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), he said Allah Almighty was blessing the joint consultations and initiatives being undertaken by Pakistan’s leadership to place the economy on a stronger path.
The prime minister said Pakistan was stepping up its efforts to advance regional peace through the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“We will work together to promote peace in the region,” he added.
PM Shehbaz described Pakistan and Lebanon as two brotherly nations and reaffirmed Islamabad’s support for Lebanon’s independence and territorial integrity.
He said Pakistan had repeatedly condemned the atrocities being committed against Lebanon, maintaining that the killing of innocent civilians was unacceptable.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam acknowledged Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the region and pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
He also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s initiatives concerning Lebanon.
Salam said Lebanon could not remain separated from the broader conflict affecting the region and expressed hope that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts would help reduce tensions and eventually lead to a political settlement.
Turning to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab in the Red Sea, PM Shehbaz said friendly and brotherly nations were engaged in efforts to prevent further escalation.
Responding to a question regarding his meeting with the Iranian president, he said he had briefed the Iranian leadership about Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to ease regional tensions.
He said he held an extensive discussion with the Iranian president and stressed that restoring peace in the region was an immediate necessity.
“Iran is our brotherly neighbouring country and like before Pakistan’s civil and military leadership will continue collective efforts for peace,” he remarked.
The prime minister said the Iranian president welcomed Pakistan’s initiatives and conveyed that the Islamabad MoU was acceptable to Iran, which was willing to continue working on the agreement.
PM Shehbaz further said that Allah was blessing Pakistan’s efforts aimed at achieving peace in the region.
Answering another question, he said terrorists entering Pakistan from Afghanistan were carrying out attacks within the country, resulting in the deaths of innocent citizens as well as army and police personnel.
“The incidents of terrorism are very condemnable and Pakistan is befittingly responding to this terrorism,” he said adding “We will not sit idle till the complete eradication of terrorism from the country.”