Public has rejected politics of chaos: PM

LONDON: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that the public had rejected the politics of chaos and instead prioritized the need for sound economic policies that directly address inflation and improve the living standard of people.

“The people want a reduction in inflation, solutions to their problems and economic betterment,” the prime minister said in a statement issued by the PM’s Office. The prime minister, stressing the urgency of addressing the public’s economic concerns, called for a shift in political priorities, arguing that instead of focusing on rallies and political gatherings, the immediate need was to improve the economic condition of masses. “We will hold rallies in 2028; but right now, it is time to work hard to fulfill the pledges made to the people.”

He linked the success of the country’s economic recovery directly to political stability, warning that political chaos would disrupt efforts to provide relief to the public. “Economic recovery is tied to political stability; political chaos means affecting the process of providing relief to the people,” he said.

The prime minister praised the people for their role in supporting economic growth by promoting political stability and emphasized that national unity was crucial for sustaining this progress. “National unity for political stability will prove to be the guarantee of Pakistan’s bright economic future and relief from inflation,” he remarked.

To address the country’s ongoing economic and security challenges, the prime minister called for collaboration between political parties, institutions, and provinces. “To tackle economic challenges and terrorism, the nation, political parties, institutions and provinces must work together,” he urged.

Recalling the past political instability, PM Shehbaz Sharif lamented that a lot of time had been wasted in political chaos and therefore wasting more time was not in the interest of the country.

On the economic front, the prime minister was optimistic about the country’s progress, noting that inflation had returned to single digits and that Pakistan’s overall economic situation was improving. Highlighting key indicators such as rising exports, stability of the rupee, increasing remittances and declining interest rates, he said inflation has returned to single digits and the economic situation is improving. Looking forward, the prime minister underscored that the current International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme should be the last one for Pakistan, saying “if it is so, it will be a true success”.

He warned that abusive language, violence and chaos would not lead to progress, urging every province and institution to play its role in solving the public’s problems.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to address the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 27 to reaffirm Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to multilateralism and support for the role of the United Nations in fostering global peace, security and prosperity.

The prime minister, who departed here for New York on Saturday, wrote on his X timeline that he looked forward to a busy week full of engagements to take up global issues, promoting peace, development and climate action, besides representing Pakistan’s perspective to the world, advocating country’s interests and strengthening international partnerships.

According to the curtain raiser issued by the Foreign Office on Sunday, the prime minister, in his address to the 193-member UNGA, would emphasize the importance of addressing long-standing issues on the agenda of the UN Security Council, including the question of Palestine and Jammu & Kashmir dispute.

He will underline the importance of addressing the inequities in international economic relations and reforming the international financial architecture, besides urging the international community to take decisive measures in addressing climate change and countering the rising tide of Islamophobia.

The UN General Assembly’s High-Level segment offers a crucial platform for Pakistan to highlight its perspectives on important issues of regional and international importance. He will highlight Pakistan’s priority to place people at the heart of the domestic and global development agenda. He will also express Pakistan’s commitment, as an incoming member of the UN Security Council for the year 2025-26, to work with all UN Member States to uphold the UN Charter, preventing conflict, fostering peace and promoting global prosperity, according to the Foreign Office statement.

Prime Minister Shehbaz will attend several high-level meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA session including the “High-Level Meeting on Existential Threat posed by Sea-level Rise,” and the UN Security Council’s Open Debate on “Leadership for Peace”.

He will also engage with a group of world leaders to discuss measures needed at the global level to advance the sustainable development agenda.

The bilateral meetings with several world leaders, including the UN Secretary-General and the President of General Assembly are also on the agenda of the prime minister’s hectic visit.