Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded on Wednesday United States President Donald Trump’s efforts in promoting peace and praised his role in facilitating a ceasefire, saying the latter has proven to be a proponent of peace and economic cooperation.
Speaking at an event held at the US Embassy in Islamabad to mark the 249th Independence Day of the United States, the prime minister congratulated the American people and highlighted the deepening ties between Pakistan and the United States. He said: "Both countries are entering a new phase in their bilateral relations, grounded in shared democratic traditions and the rule of law."
PM Shehbaz said that the United States was among the first countries to recognise Pakistan following independence and the two nations share a long history of cooperation. He added that several key projects contributing to Pakistan’s socio-economic development reflect this enduring relationship.
He said: "Following the 9/11 attacks, Pakistan stood at the forefront of the global war on terror. By 2018, Pakistan had successfully eradicated terrorist networks from its soil. However, this effort came at a great cost, with over 90,000 lives lost and economic losses exceeding $150billion."
“Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism are unparalleled. “Our focus has now shifted to strengthening the economy and Pakistan continues to stand for peace, stability and prosperity,” he said.
The prime minister also addressed regional tensions, stating unequivocally that the Pahalgam attack was a false flag operation and criticised India for levelling baseless allegations instead of accepting Pakistan’s call for an impartial and transparent investigation.
“Rather than responding to our offer for a neutral inquiry, India resorted to aggression. Despite the provocation, Pakistan exercised utmost restraint. In self-defence, however, we downed six Indian aircraft,” said the premier.
He went on to commend US efforts in de-escalating tensions, saying, “Our American friends reached out during that critical time and we welcomed the ceasefire as a vital step towards peace and regional stability. President Trump’s role in supporting the ceasefire is particularly praiseworthy.”
