ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday praised the parliamentary delegation for effectively and excellently representing Pakistan’s stance on the global stage, stating that the delegation presented the events from the Pahalgam incident to the Indus Waters Treaty in the correct context and in the best possible manner.
The prime minister hosted a dinner in honour of the Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other members of Pakistan’s delegation for exposing the recent Indian propaganda globally. According to a statement issued by the PM Office Media Wing, Bilawal briefed the prime minister on the meetings of the diplomatic delegation sent by Pakistan to the US and Europe.
The prime minister commended Bilawal and other members of the delegation for successfully exposing India’s recent propaganda during their diplomatic visits.
“I congratulate all of you for representing Pakistan’s stance comprehensively and excellently on the global stage. You fought Pakistan’s case with national zeal and returned victorious.” He added that under the leadership of Bilawal, the delegation—comprising Sherry Rehman, Dr Miftah Ismail, Hina Rabbani Khar, Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, Senator Faisal Sabzwari, Engineer Khurram Dastgir, Jalil Abbas Jilani and Tehmina Janjua—represented Pakistan’s stance with national fervor in the US, UK and Europe. This achievement is being acknowledged not only in Pakistan but across the world.
The prime minister stated that Bilawal articulated Pakistan’s position in an excellent manner. Meanwhile, the prime minister met with National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmad Butt, who presented the NAB performance report for the years 2023–2024 here at the PM Office. The comprehensive report included detailed information on the recoveries and overall performance of NAB’s headquarters and regional offices over the past two years, a PM Office news release said.
Shehbaz commended NAB’s role in the national fight against corruption, reaffirming that eliminating corruption and misuse of authority remains one of the government’s top priorities. The PM also directed NAB to expedite the disposal of pending cases and emphasised the need for effective measures to assist victims of financial fraud and ensure swift recovery of their lost funds.
According to the report, NAB concluded 700 inquiries, completed 218 investigations, and filed 21 new references during the 2023-2024 period.
Meanwhile, Ambassador of China to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong called on the prime minister and lauded the proactive and positive role being played by Pakistan at every diplomatic forum, including at the United Nations Security Council, for a peaceful settlement of the regional security situation through dialogue and diplomacy. They discussed regional security situation, particularly recent developments in the Iran-Israel conflict, other bilateral issues.
Zaidong briefed the prime minister on various aspects of Pakistan-China bilateral cooperation and said that preparations had already begun to ensure the success of the prime minister’s upcoming visit to China in the end of August 2025.
Meanwhile, the prime minister attended the budget session of the National Assembly. During the session he met many treasury lawmakers. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz held a telephone conversation with Saudi Arabia Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
During their warm and cordial conversation, Shehbaz reiterated profound gratitude for the kingdom’s steadfast support to Pakistan during the recent standoff with India. The two leaders also exchanged views on the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East. In this regard, the prime minister said that Pakistan fully supported the immediate de-escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict, as well as its peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
While referring to Monday night attacks, he called for adherence to international law and the UN Charter principles by all sides. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The crown prince thanked the prime minister for the telephone call and appreciated Pakistan’s expression of solidarity and support for the kingdom.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz held a telephone conversation with Iran’s President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and reiterated Pakistan’s support for Iran at all diplomatic forums, including at the UN Security Council and the OIC. During the conversation, the prime minister called for adherence to international law and the UN Charter principles by all sides, a PM’s Office news release said.
The prime minister said that Pakistan was closely following the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East. He emphasized the importance of restoring peace through dialogue and diplomacy.
President Pezeshkian thanked the prime minister for the telephone call and appreciated Pakistan’s consistent and principled support to Iran, throughout the crisis. He also acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The two leaders agreed on the importance of unity in Ummah during this most challenging time. They agreed to remain in touch.
Meanwhile, the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and Qatar called on PM Shehbaz and discussed the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, particularly after the Iranian attack on the US military base in Qatar. The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia.
In the meeting with Ambassador of Qatar Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater, the prime minister expressed solidarity with the emir and the people of Qatar following Monday night’s attacks on US military base. “We pray for the safety and security of our Qatari brothers and sisters, and the entire region,” he remarked. The prime minister said that Pakistan had always advocated dialogue and diplomacy as the only path to lasting peace in the Middle East.
Earlier on Monday night, the prime minister also held a telephone interaction with both the envoys and expressed his serious concern over the reports of missile attacks on a US military base in Qatar. He had urged that all efforts must be made to de-escalate tensions and restore peace in the region.
The Qatari ambassador thanked the prime minister for immediately reaching out to him after this “most unfortunate development” as well as for the expression of solidarity at that critical time.