Allies no longer expect us to go around with begging bowl: Pak PM's big admission

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a stark admission of his country's financial crisis, said even close allies no longer expect Islamabad to roam the world with a "begging bowl." Amid rising tensions with India, Sharif added that both he and Army chief Field Marshal General Asim Munir were unwilling to shoulder the weight of economic dependency any longer.

Addressing Pakistani military personnel in Quetta on Saturday, the provincial capital of restive Balochistan, Sharif called China a "time-tested" friend and Saudi Arabia a "trustworthy" and "reliable" ally.

"China is the most time-tested friend of Pakistan. Saudi Arabia is one of the most reliable and trustworthy friends of Pakistan. This applies to Turkey, Qatar and the UAE," he



said.

"But let me point out abundantly here that they expect us now to engage them in trade, commerce, innovation, research and development, education and health, investments, and profitable ventures mutually. They no longer expect us to go there with a begging bowl," he added.

Sharif stressed that Pakistan should fully utilise natural and human resources to tide over its economic challenges, adding that he and Field Marshal Asim Munir no longer want to carry the burden of dependency on their shoulders.

"I am the last person, along with Field Marshal Asim Munir, to carry this (economic) burden any more on our shoulders. The Almighty has blessed us with natural and human resources. We must make full use of them and deploy them for these very profitable ventures," he further said.