‘No More Begging Bowl’: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Admits Shift in Ties with Key Allies
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday declared that even the country’s closest allies no longer expect Islamabad to approach them with a “begging bowl.” The remarks, delivered during an address to military personnel in Quetta, signal a shift in Pakistan’s diplomatic posture amid intensifying economic and geopolitical pressures.
Speaking alongside Army Chief Field Marshal General Asim Munir, Sharif said Pakistan must now focus on “mutually profitable ventures” and leverage its natural and human resources instead of relying on bailouts and aid.
“China is the most time-tested friend of Pakistan. Saudi Arabia is one of the most reliable and trustworthy friends,” Sharif said, adding, “But they now expect trade, innovation, and investment — not dependency.”
The speech comes amid growing regional tensions following India’s Operation Sindoor — retaliatory strikes against nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26, mostly tourists. Sharif, without directly referencing the strikes, emphasized Pakistan’s need to strengthen its economy independently.
“I am the last person, along with Field Marshal Asim Munir, to carry this economic burden any more on our shoulders,” Sharif said.
The Pakistani Prime Minister called for the full utilisation of the country’s resources and a shift in strategy to enhance trade and development, rather than seeking financial support from friendly nations.
Sharif’s comments also come in the backdrop of a fresh USD 1 billion bailout granted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a USD 7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF). India had strongly objected to the IMF’s decision, citing Pakistan’s continued support for terror networks operating from its soil.
Despite New Delhi’s protests, the IMF clarified the funding was part of a previously agreed-upon programme initiated in September 2024 and adhered to standard procedures.
Sharif acknowledged that allies such as Turkey, Qatar, the UAE, and China now expect Pakistan to demonstrate self-reliance and pursue partnerships built on innovation, trade, and investment — not on continued financial support.
The speech, delivered in restive Balochistan — a region long plagued by insurgency and economic neglect — struck a chord on social media, where users debated whether the admission was a turning point or mere rhetoric.
“A bold and necessary shift,” tweeted a Pakistani academic, praising Sharif’s speech. Others, however, questioned whether real reforms would follow.
Pakistan’s economy has been under severe strain for over a year, with skyrocketing inflation, shrinking foreign reserves, and a depreciating rupee. The country has relied on frequent IMF bailouts and friendly loans from Gulf nations and China to stay afloat.
Meanwhile, India’s military responses to terror attacks and global pressure over Pakistan’s alleged support for terror groups have increasingly isolated Islamabad diplomatically.
