• PM asks disadvantage to play role in overcoming terrorism.
• Says Pakistan could pay debt by utilizing resources.
• “Without economic progress, political independence cannot be achieved.”

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that one of the most important goals for the terrorists is to prevent Pakistan from taking advantage of its enormous natural resources.

“Pakistan was blessed with trillions of dollars worth of natural resources … Foreign elements that provide financial support to terrorists, also does not want Pakistan to benefit from its mineral resources,” he said, addressing the ceremony of “Rab-E-Zuljalal Ka Ehsaan-Pakistan” in Islamabad.

The country has rolled under increased terrorist attacks aimed at law enforcers and security forces since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, especially in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Pakistan witnessed a sharp increase in terrorist attacks in January 2025, which increased by 42% compared to the previous month, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a think tank.

KP remained the worst affected province, followed by Balochistan. In KP’s resident districts, militants performed 27 attacks, resulting in 19 fatalities, including 11 security staff, six civilians and two militants.

The prime minister said the security forces in Pakistan were to sacrifice their lives in the war against terrorism to secure the country’s future.

“The coming generations would not forgive if unity was not shown to overcome the threat of terrorism, and Undenerating would have to play an important role in this regard,” he claimed.

The premiere noted that Pakistan could pay his debt by utilizing his mineral resources to secure its lost status in the world.

PM Shehbaz also said it was the need for that hour that people show unity and harmony to solve problems that Pakistan is facing.

“It was responsible for people from all walks of life to come forward to solve economic and social issues and help eradicate the threat of terrorism,” he added.

He also said that Unde it should take responsibility for promoting unity and fraternity in society and adding that everyone should rise above sectarian differences and give preference to national questions rather than their personal wishes.

PM Shehbaz noted that Ramadan was a very important month when Pakistan was created this month as the only ideological Islamic State.

He added that the world powers were against the spread of nuclear weapons, but despite all odds, in 1998, Pakistan became a nuclear power, and because of the nuclear capacity and the brave armed forces, no enemy could throw an evil eye against the country.

Shehbaz said Quaid-e-Azam would have a Pakistan where Muslims and minorities enjoyed religious freedom and minorities were protected.

He said, “If we follow the teachings of the Holy Koran and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and our great leaders, we can achieve our proper status in the world.”

He was of the opinion that without economic progress, political independence could not be achieved.

The premiere said it was the state’s responsibility to enable citizens to live their lives according to Islam, adding that no law could be made in violation of Islam’s teachings.

He promised to make all financial resources available to equip youth with modern technology and skills and said that the PM youth program was set up to provide education and job opportunities for youth.

He also advised the youth to follow the discipline of their lives and live up to the nation’s expectations.

The prime minister appealed to Urage to promote positive thinking and habit of research so that the spread of fake news and malicious propaganda could be stopped.