Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says that Pakistan is acknowledged worldwide as an “honest mediator” and a country in which international leadership has “full trust”.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, PM Shehbaz said, “Pakistan [is] acknowledged worldwide as an honest mediator and as a country in which international leadership has full trust and faith. It’s our shining hour and I feel a very proud Pakistani — as do 240 million Pakistanis.”

“By a stroke of good luck, we have been placed in this prestigious position,” he said. “Our international image has completely changed through this partnership of our political and military hierarchy.”

“Fortunately, Iran trusts Pakistan as does the US administration — and also the Gulf states — and I’m grateful to Presidents Trump and Pezeshkian for accepting our invitation.”

Opinion

Editorial

Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...
A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...