We Feel Ashamed Begging for Money”: Pakistan PM’s Rare Admission
In an unusually candid statement, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has admitted that he, along with the country’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, has been forced to travel abroad seeking financial assistance from other nations.
Speaking at a gathering of leading Pakistani exporters in Islamabad on Friday night, Sharif opened up about the difficult economic choices his government has had to make amid the country’s continuing financial crisis.
He noted that Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have shown some improvement in recent months.
“The current situation is that our foreign reserves have almost doubled,” Sharif said.
However, he quickly added that this rise is largely because of loans and financial support received from “friendly countries.”
Sharif did not hide the emotional and political cost of relying on borrowed money. In a deeply personal remark, he described the humiliation that comes with repeatedly approaching other nations for help.
“We feel ashamed when Field Marshal Asim Munir and I go around the world begging for money,” he said.
“Taking loans is a huge burden on our self-respect. Our heads bow down in shame.”
The Prime Minister further explained that borrowing money often comes with strings attached, leaving Pakistan in a position where it cannot always refuse the demands of those providing assistance.
“We cannot say no to many things they want us to do,” Sharif admitted.
This rare confession highlights the growing pressure Pakistan faces as it struggles to stabilize its economy while remaining dependent on foreign loans and aid.
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