- PM asks for ulema to play role in overcoming terrorism.
- He says that Pakistan could pay debts exploiting resources.
- “Without economic progress, political independence cannot be achieved.”
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that one of the key objectives of terrorists is to prevent Pakistan from benefiting from their vast natural resources.
“Pakistan was blessed with billions of dollars in natural resources … foreign elements that provide financial support to terrorists also do not want Pakistan to benefit from their mineral resources,” he said when heading to the “Rab-E-Zuljalal Ka Ehsa-Pakistan” ceremony in Islamabad.
The country has been staggering under greater terrorist attacks aimed at the agents of the law and security forces since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan.
Pakistan witnessed a strong increase in terrorist attacks in January 2025, increasing by 42% compared to the previous month, according to the data published by the Institute of Conflict Studies and Security of Pakistan (PICSS), a group of experts.
KP remained the worst affected province, followed by Baluchistan. In the established districts of KP, the militants carried out 27 attacks, which resulted in 19 deaths, including 11 security personnel, six civilians and two militants.
Going to the ceremony, the prime minister said that Pakistan’s security forces were sacrificing their lives in the war against terrorism to ensure the future of the country.
“Future generations would not forgive if the unit would not be shown to overcome the threat of terrorism, and Ulema would have to play an important role in this regard,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan could pay his debts exploiting his mineral resources to ensure his lost state in the world.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also said that it was the need for the time that people show unity and harmony to solve the problems faced by Pakistan.
“It was the responsibility of people in all areas of life to present themselves to solve economic and social problems and help eradicate the threat of terrorism,” he added.
In addition, he said that Ulema should assume responsibility for promoting unity and brotherhood in society, adding that everyone should overcome sectarian differences and give preference to national problems about their personal desires.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that Ramadan was a very important month, since Pakistan was created in this month as the only ideological Islamic state.
He added that the world powers were against the proliferation of nuclear weapons, but despite all probabilities, in 1998, Pakistan became an atomic power, and due to nuclear capacity and brave armed forces, no enemy could throw an evil eye towards the country.
Shehbaz said that Quaid-E-Azam wanted a Pakistan where Muslims and minorities enjoyed religious freedom and minorities were protected.
He said: “If we follow the teachings of the Sacred Koran and the life of the prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) and our great leaders, we can achieve our due state in the world.”
It was of the opinion that without economic progress, political independence could not be achieved.
The prime minister said it was the responsibility of the State to allow citizens to live their lives according to Islam, and added that no law could be made contrary to the teachings of Islam.
He promised to make all financial resources available to equip young people with modern technology and skills and said that the PM Youth Program was created to provide education and job opportunities to young people.
He also advised the young people to follow the discipline in their lives and meet the expectations of the nation.
The prime minister appealed to the ulema to promote positive thinking and research habit so that the spread of false news and malicious propaganda could stop.
