Tells cabinet world interested in Pak military hardware; Want work on Karachi-Chaman expressway expedited
The JF-17 Thunder is an advanced, lightweight, all-weather, day/night multi-role fighter; 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 the growing international interest in acquiring defense equipment and military hardware from Pakistan, revealing that several countries were “actively” engaged in talks to buy fighter jets.
Addressing the government, 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 standoff with India last May.
Shehbaz said the improved performance of Pakistan’s armed forces had translated into commercial interest, which would increase domestic 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 lauded the armed forces and law enforcement agencies for their sacrifices and sustained efforts to curb terrorism across the country.
The Prime Minister’s remarks validated Defense Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj’s statement earlier, who had confirmed that Pakistan was in discussions 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 planes, but declined to name them or reveal the level of talks, saying such talks were sensitive and could not be made public in detail.
Alongside defense matters in the Cabinet, Prime Minister Shehbaz announced accelerated work on the long-awaited Karachi-Chaman Expressway, often called a “bloody road” due to frequent fatal accidents, and said construction would now be completed within a year instead of two.
He said the nearly 850-kilometer expressway, costing about Rs400 billion, would be fully funded by the federal government, adding that savings generated by maintaining fuel prices during a global oil slump were being diverted to transform the route into a corridor of prosperity.
Focusing on Balochistan, the prime minister said a Rs75 billion agriculture package had been finalized, with Rs50 billion provided by the federal government, addressing electricity theft through solarization and enabling farmers to irrigate their lands independently.
He also announced progress on Daanish schools in the province, 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 with improving economic stability, the Prime Minister said the government would now move towards further steps of development to place Pakistan firmly on a path of progress and prosperity.
The Federal Cabinet, meanwhile, raised several administrative issues and ordered that the draft Private Hajj Policy for 2027-2030 be sent to the Hajj Policy Committee for further discussion, particularly on third-party registration and control of private operators.
The Cabinet also ratified decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Energy during its meeting on 24 December 2025, as well as approvals made by the Economic Coordination Committee at its session on 23 December 2025.
