He tells cabinet world he is interested in Pakistan’s military hardware; Wants work on Karachi-Chaman Expressway to be expedited
JF-17 Thunder is an advanced, lightweight, all-weather, day/night multi-role fighter aircraft; developed as a joint venture between Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Kamra and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) of China. PHOTO: Pakistan Aeronautical Complex website
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday highlighted growing international interest in procuring defense equipment and military materiel from Pakistan, revealing that several countries were “actively” involved in talks to purchase fighter jets.
Addressing the cabinet, the prime minister noted that demand for Pakistani defense equipment had increased following the country’s success in Marka-e-Haq, the four-day military conflict with India in May last year.
Shehbaz said the improved performance of Pakistan’s armed forces had translated into commercial interest, which would boost national defense production and provide tangible benefits to the national economy.
During an exchange of views on the overall political and security situation during the Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the armed forces and law enforcement agencies for their sacrifices and sustained efforts in curbing terrorism across the country.
The prime minister’s comments validated the earlier statement of Defense Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj, who had confirmed that Pakistan was in talks with several countries for the sale of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets.
Harraj had told BBC Urdu that many countries had expressed interest in the plane, but he declined to name them or reveal the level of talks, saying such negotiations were delicate and could not be detailed publicly.
Apart from defense matters in the cabinet, Prime Minister Shehbaz announced acceleration of work on the long-awaited Karachi-Chaman Expressway, often called the “bloody highway” due to frequent fatal accidents, saying that construction would now be completed in one year instead of two.
He said the nearly 850-kilometre highway, which will cost around 400 billion rupees, would be fully funded by the federal government, adding that savings generated by maintaining fuel prices during a global oil crisis were being redirected to transform the route into a prosperity corridor.
Focusing on Balochistan, the prime minister said a Rs 75 billion agriculture package had been completed, with Rs 50 billion contributed by the federal government, which addresses electricity theft through solarization and allows farmers to irrigate their land independently.
He also announced progress on the province’s daanish schools, saying contractors had been mobilized and seven schools would be completed by the end of the year to expand access to quality education.
Expressing satisfaction over the improved economic stability, the Prime Minister said the government would now move towards new development measures to put Pakistan firmly on a path of progress and prosperity.
Meanwhile, the federal cabinet dealt with various administrative matters and ordered that the draft Private Hajj Policy for 2027-2030 be sent to the Hajj Policy Committee for further deliberation, particularly on third-party registration and scrutiny of private operators.
The cabinet also ratified the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Energy during its meeting on December 24, 2025, as well as the approvals made by the Economic Coordination Committee at its session on December 23, 2025.
