Shehbaz Sharif Reaffirms Commitment to Reforms and Development While Addressing Overseas Scholars
ISLAMABAD – July 12, 2025:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again highlighted his government’s strong commitment to economic revival, structural reforms, and transparent governance. While speaking to a delegation of overseas Pakistani students selected under the government’s internship initiative, “Uraan Pakistan – Summer Scholars,” he stressed the urgent need for transformation to put Pakistan on the road to progress.
The session, held in Islamabad, brought together young Pakistani scholars pursuing higher education in top universities across the globe. These students were selected to be part of the internship programme aimed at connecting them with national development, innovation, and reform strategies.
Addressing the Youth: A Call for National Service
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif began by welcoming the students and appreciating their achievements abroad. He told them that Pakistan was proud of their success and expected them to give back by contributing to national development in the future.
He called this internship a “bridge between the future of Pakistan and its current challenges,” adding that the government wanted to tap into the ideas and knowledge of Pakistani students studying in world-class institutions.
He reminded the young scholars that their country was going through a critical phase that demanded sincere efforts, structural change, and a break from outdated systems.
The Challenge of Reforms: A Mountain to Climb
The prime minister acknowledged that bringing real reforms was a daunting task. “The road is very challenging as there were long overdue reforms, and structural changes had not taken place for decades,” he stated.
According to him, when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came into power again in 2023, the country was dangerously close to economic default. “Our fate was hanging in the balance,” he said. “A majority believed Pakistan would default. Only a few believed we could survive.”
Shehbaz Sharif explained that he had to hold long and intense discussions with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During these talks, he assured the IMF that Pakistan would not default and would strictly follow the reform roadmap.
Economic Crisis of 2023: A Snapshot
Highlighting the state of the economy when his government took over, the PM said that inflation had skyrocketed to 38%, and the policy rate had reached 22.5%. He described the business environment as full of uncertainty, with investors pulling back and businesses suffering.
He said the economy was in bad shape and immediate action was needed. “We had a huge responsibility to act with unity and sincerity of purpose. Our duty was to change the situation no matter how difficult the road ahead,” he emphasized.
Fighting Corruption and Reforming FBR
One of the most urgent reforms the PM spoke about was the digitisation and cleaning of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). He said the government had shown the door to corrupt officials and introduced a system that reduced human interaction and eliminated favoritism.
“There is no room for sifarish (recommendations) in the reformed FBR,” the premier declared. He noted that previous attempts to digitise the tax system had only remained on paper. Corrupt and clever officials had used the system to hide inefficiencies and avoid accountability.
Shehbaz Sharif said that honest and hardworking officers had existed in the FBR system for years, but they were never given a fair chance. His government decided to bring these officials forward, appointing them to leadership roles and also hiring top consultants to overhaul the structure.
Today, FBR is undergoing real digitisation, he said. “The system has moved from paperwork to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and faceless interaction,” he added.
A Revenue Success Story
Through these reforms, the government was able to uncover massive tax evasion. In just one year, the revenue collection in a specific sector increased from Rs12 billion to over Rs50 billion, showing the depth of leakage in the past.
The PM said this example alone proves how much potential Pakistan’s economy holds if corruption is rooted out and systems are made efficient.
“Digitisation is now the hallmark of FBR,” he said proudly. “We are moving towards a fair, transparent and tech-driven tax collection system.”
A Long, Difficult Journey Ahead
While celebrating these early victories, the PM admitted that the path to full recovery and prosperity is still long and filled with obstacles.
“We are on a thorny journey, and facing mountain-like challenges. But let me assure you — we will not shy away from our responsibilities,” he said, promising that the government would continue working tirelessly in service of the nation.
Climate Change and Pakistan’s Vulnerability
During the interactive session with students, one participant asked about Pakistan’s approach to climate change.
The PM recalled the 2022 floods and said that Pakistan had suffered $30 billion in economic losses due to climate-related disasters. “We are one of the most affected countries despite contributing less than a fraction of a percent to global emissions,” he said.
He criticized the global community for not fulfilling their promises to help developing nations face climate disasters and urged international institutions to take meaningful action.
May 2025 Incident: Pakistan’s Firm Response to Indian Aggression
Another important issue raised during the discussion was regional security, particularly the recent Pahalgam incident and India’s aggression against Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said that during May 2025, Pakistan faced a serious and unprovoked attack from India. He had immediately proposed that international institutions should investigate the Pahalgam incident independently. However, India ignored the proposal and continued its aggression.
As a result of India’s actions, 55 Pakistanis were martyred, he said. In response, Pakistan acted in self-defense and shot down six Indian planes. He added that the counterattack on May 9 and 10 was powerful and reminded India that Pakistan would never back down in the face of hostility.
He praised the Pakistan Armed Forces for their professionalism and bravery during the conflict, stating that “Pakistan won the conventional war.”
Pakistan’s Peaceful Nuclear Policy
In light of the rising tensions, the prime minister also reassured the public and international observers that Pakistan’s nuclear programme remains strictly for peaceful purposes.
“We do not believe in using nuclear weapons for war,” he said. “Our policy is focused on regional stability and defense. We are a responsible nuclear nation and will continue to act responsibly.”
Message to Youth: Take Ownership of the Future
Towards the end of his address, PM Shehbaz Sharif urged students to play their role in the country’s transformation. He called on them to return after their studies and help modernize Pakistan through innovation, research, and leadership.
“Pakistan is your home, and it needs you,” he said. “We need your knowledge, your energy, and your patriotism. This internship is just the beginning.”
He also encouraged the youth to adopt a mindset of honesty and hard work, saying, “Success will come only if you work with sincerity and do not compromise on your principles.”
Uraan Pakistan – Summer Scholars: A Visionary Initiative
The “Uraan Pakistan” internship program is part of the government’s broader plan to engage overseas Pakistanis in national development. It allows young minds to gain first-hand exposure to government departments, national policies, and development projects.
The programme aims to bridge the gap between talent and governance and to help students understand Pakistan’s real-world challenges while contributing ideas and solutions.
Students in the programme appreciated the opportunity to interact directly with top leadership, including the Prime Minister, and praised the government’s transparency in discussing national challenges.
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Conclusion: A Nation on the Move
PM Shehbaz Sharif’s address to the overseas Pakistani scholars marked a powerful and hopeful moment for the country. Despite the serious challenges, the speech reflected a strong sense of purpose, a roadmap for reform, and a promise of transformation.
By focusing on digitisation, accountability, climate action, and youth engagement, the government is laying down the foundation for a stronger and more resilient Pakistan.
As the premier concluded, he left students with a final message of hope:
“Pakistan’s future is in safe hands — your hands. Let’s build this future together.”
Shehbaz Sharif Reaffirms Commitment to Reforms and Development While Addressing Overseas Scholars
ISLAMABAD – July 12, 2025:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again highlighted his government’s strong commitment to economic revival, structural reforms, and transparent governance. While speaking to a delegation of overseas Pakistani students selected under the government’s internship initiative, “Uraan Pakistan – Summer Scholars,” he stressed the urgent need for transformation to put Pakistan on the road to progress.
The session, held in Islamabad, brought together young Pakistani scholars pursuing higher education in top universities across the globe. These students were selected to be part of the internship programme aimed at connecting them with national development, innovation, and reform strategies.
Addressing the Youth: A Call for National Service
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif began by welcoming the students and appreciating their achievements abroad. He told them that Pakistan was proud of their success and expected them to give back by contributing to national development in the future.
He called this internship a “bridge between the future of Pakistan and its current challenges,” adding that the government wanted to tap into the ideas and knowledge of Pakistani students studying in world-class institutions.
He reminded the young scholars that their country was going through a critical phase that demanded sincere efforts, structural change, and a break from outdated systems.
The Challenge of Reforms: A Mountain to Climb
The prime minister acknowledged that bringing real reforms was a daunting task. “The road is very challenging as there were long overdue reforms, and structural changes had not taken place for decades,” he stated.
According to him, when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came into power again in 2023, the country was dangerously close to economic default. “Our fate was hanging in the balance,” he said. “A majority believed Pakistan would default. Only a few believed we could survive.”
Shehbaz Sharif explained that he had to hold long and intense discussions with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During these talks, he assured the IMF that Pakistan would not default and would strictly follow the reform roadmap.
Economic Crisis of 2023: A Snapshot
Highlighting the state of the economy when his government took over, the PM said that inflation had skyrocketed to 38%, and the policy rate had reached 22.5%. He described the business environment as full of uncertainty, with investors pulling back and businesses suffering.
He said the economy was in bad shape and immediate action was needed. “We had a huge responsibility to act with unity and sincerity of purpose. Our duty was to change the situation no matter how difficult the road ahead,” he emphasized.
Fighting Corruption and Reforming FBR
One of the most urgent reforms the PM spoke about was the digitisation and cleaning of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). He said the government had shown the door to corrupt officials and introduced a system that reduced human interaction and eliminated favoritism.
“There is no room for sifarish (recommendations) in the reformed FBR,” the premier declared. He noted that previous attempts to digitise the tax system had only remained on paper. Corrupt and clever officials had used the system to hide inefficiencies and avoid accountability.
Shehbaz Sharif said that honest and hardworking officers had existed in the FBR system for years, but they were never given a fair chance. His government decided to bring these officials forward, appointing them to leadership roles and also hiring top consultants to overhaul the structure.
Today, FBR is undergoing real digitisation, he said. “The system has moved from paperwork to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and faceless interaction,” he added.
A Revenue Success Story
Through these reforms, the government was able to uncover massive tax evasion. In just one year, the revenue collection in a specific sector increased from Rs12 billion to over Rs50 billion, showing the depth of leakage in the past.
The PM said this example alone proves how much potential Pakistan’s economy holds if corruption is rooted out and systems are made efficient.
“Digitisation is now the hallmark of FBR,” he said proudly. “We are moving towards a fair, transparent and tech-driven tax collection system.”
A Long, Difficult Journey Ahead
While celebrating these early victories, the PM admitted that the path to full recovery and prosperity is still long and filled with obstacles.
“We are on a thorny journey, and facing mountain-like challenges. But let me assure you — we will not shy away from our responsibilities,” he said, promising that the government would continue working tirelessly in service of the nation.
Climate Change and Pakistan’s Vulnerability
During the interactive session with students, one participant asked about Pakistan’s approach to climate change.
The PM recalled the 2022 floods and said that Pakistan had suffered $30 billion in economic losses due to climate-related disasters. “We are one of the most affected countries despite contributing less than a fraction of a percent to global emissions,” he said.
He criticized the global community for not fulfilling their promises to help developing nations face climate disasters and urged international institutions to take meaningful action.
May 2025 Incident: Pakistan’s Firm Response to Indian Aggression
Another important issue raised during the discussion was regional security, particularly the recent Pahalgam incident and India’s aggression against Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said that during May 2025, Pakistan faced a serious and unprovoked attack from India. He had immediately proposed that international institutions should investigate the Pahalgam incident independently. However, India ignored the proposal and continued its aggression.
As a result of India’s actions, 55 Pakistanis were martyred, he said. In response, Pakistan acted in self-defense and shot down six Indian planes. He added that the counterattack on May 9 and 10 was powerful and reminded India that Pakistan would never back down in the face of hostility.
He praised the Pakistan Armed Forces for their professionalism and bravery during the conflict, stating that “Pakistan won the conventional war.”
Pakistan’s Peaceful Nuclear Policy
In light of the rising tensions, the prime minister also reassured the public and international observers that Pakistan’s nuclear programme remains strictly for peaceful purposes.
“We do not believe in using nuclear weapons for war,” he said. “Our policy is focused on regional stability and defense. We are a responsible nuclear nation and will continue to act responsibly.”
Message to Youth: Take Ownership of the Future
Towards the end of his address, PM Shehbaz Sharif urged students to play their role in the country’s transformation. He called on them to return after their studies and help modernize Pakistan through innovation, research, and leadership.
“Pakistan is your home, and it needs you,” he said. “We need your knowledge, your energy, and your patriotism. This internship is just the beginning.”
He also encouraged the youth to adopt a mindset of honesty and hard work, saying, “Success will come only if you work with sincerity and do not compromise on your principles.”
Uraan Pakistan – Summer Scholars: A Visionary Initiative
The “Uraan Pakistan” internship program is part of the government’s broader plan to engage overseas Pakistanis in national development. It allows young minds to gain first-hand exposure to government departments, national policies, and development projects.
The programme aims to bridge the gap between talent and governance and to help students understand Pakistan’s real-world challenges while contributing ideas and solutions.
Students in the programme appreciated the opportunity to interact directly with top leadership, including the Prime Minister, and praised the government’s transparency in discussing national challenges.
Conclusion: A Nation on the Move
PM Shehbaz Sharif’s address to the overseas Pakistani scholars marked a powerful and hopeful moment for the country. Despite the serious challenges, the speech reflected a strong sense of purpose, a roadmap for reform, and a promise of transformation.
By focusing on digitisation, accountability, climate action, and youth engagement, the government is laying down the foundation for a stronger and more resilient Pakistan.
As the premier concluded, he left students with a final message of hope:
“Pakistan’s future is in safe hands — your hands. Let’s build this future together.”
