Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said Pakistan’s economy had stabilised and was moving towards growth, while inviting US-based Pakistani business leaders to explore investment opportunities in the country.
asserted
economy → say → country
Speaking at a meeting with a delegation from the US-Pakistan Business Council (BCUI) on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, the prime minister said Pakistan had undertaken “massive structural reforms”, including the digitisation of the economy, the Federal Board of Revenue and e-governance.
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Pakistan → speak → governance
We have moved towards growth,” he said, adding that the Gulf crisis had affected Pakistan at an unfavourable time.
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crisis → move → time
“We are trying to stand on our feet.
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We → try → feet
We are doing our best to facilitate peace efforts,” he said.
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he → do → efforts
The premier said Pakistan had been “largely very successful” in June, but the situation had subsequently deteriorated.
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situation → say → June
He expressed hope that, with the support of friendly and brotherly countries, the situation could be brought under control and long-term peace achieved in the region.
uncertain
peace → express → region
He said regional peace was important for discussions on business and investment.
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peace → say → business
The prime minister identified agriculture, mining, information technology and artificial intelligence-led initiatives, energy security, and investment, imports and shipments as key areas of potential cooperation.
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minister → identify → cooperation
On agriculture, he said Pakistan could benefit from modern machinery and technology, including combine harvesters and other equipment, to improve efficiency, increase production and reduce costs.
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Pakistan → say → costs
“Pakistan has the biggest potential” in agriculture, he said.
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he → have → agriculture
The prime minister also highlighted the country’s mineral resources, saying Pakistan had been “blessed” with enormous potential in the mining sector.
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Pakistan → highlight → sector
He said IT and AI-led initiatives also offered significant potential, particularly given Pakistan’s young population.
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initiatives → say → population
The government was seeking to empower young people through vocational and skills training, he added.
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he → seek → training
“This is a great asset for Pakistan,” he said, adding that the workforce could be utilised through productive employment and increased production.
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workforce → say → employment
The prime minister also pointed to lessons from the ongoing regional crisis, saying Pakistan offered security and safety for energy reserves, including petrol, oil and gas.
He also highlighted investment, imports and shipments as areas for discussion with the business delegation.
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He → point → delegation
PM Shehbaz said privatisation was another important area of interest for investors.
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privatisation → say → investors
Shehbaz further said Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was being privatised and expressed confidence that its new Pakistani owners would turn the airline around.
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owners → say → airline
The government had also privatised a bank, while power distribution companies in various provinces were being processed for privatisation, he said.
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he → privatise → privatisation
“Many other areas of mutual interest are being offered to the private sector,” the prime minister said.
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minister → offer → sector
“The government’s business is to facilitate, act as a catalyst to support the private sector, not become the private sector,” he added.
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he → facilitate → sector
PM Shehbaz, UN chief discuss Middle East peace
Prime Minister Shehbaz also met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, with the two discussing major regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East, the government said in a post on X.
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government → discuss → X.
According to the post, the prime minister stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving regional tensions and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.
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minister → accord → region
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s “steadfast commitment to multilateralism and the central role of the UN in promoting international peace and development”.
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He → reaffirm → peace
The two leaders also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the “drastic increase” in terrorism emanating from Afghan soil.
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leaders → discuss → soil
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s strong attachment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and appreciated Guterres’s leadership in upholding them.
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minister → reiterate → them
He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood.
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He → reaffirm → determination
The prime minister raised concerns over the “rising trend of Islamophobia”, particularly in Pakistan’s immediate neighbourhood, and called for effective international action to curb it.
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minister → raise → it
Guterres, meanwhile, commended Pakistan’s role and strong voice at the UN, as well as its contribution to international peace and security.
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Guterres → commend → peace
He appreciated Pakistan’s mediation efforts for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and durable peace and stability in the region.
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He → appreciate → region
The UN secretary general also appreciated Pakistan’s role and sacrifices in countering terrorism.
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general → appreciate → terrorism
In a separate post on X, the UN said Guterres had “expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s important role as an elected member of the Security Council” and its support for the UN.
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Guterres → say → UN
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