PM Shehbaz Sharif, and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus Meet at UNGA

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, met with the Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh, H.E. Professor Muhammad Yunus, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The “warm and cordial” meeting focused on enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation between the two nations.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the current state of Pakistan-Bangladesh bilateral relations and explored avenues to bolster cooperation across various sectors, including trade, regional connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to fostering a “constructive and forward-looking” relationship with Bangladesh, grounded in mutual respect, trust, and a shared vision for regional peace and prosperity.

In response, Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed his appreciation for Pakistan’s initiative to deepen engagement and underscored the importance of boosting bilateral trade and cultural linkages to further cement the relationship.

The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, reflecting the mutual commitment of both countries to work together for the well-being of their people and the stability of South Asia.

Prime Minister’s Address on National and Global Issues

In addition to his bilateral engagements, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed key national and global challenges during his time in New York.

Pakistan’s First Energy Circular Debt Elimination Plan

The Prime Minister inaugurated Pakistan’s first-ever comprehensive energy circular debt elimination plan via video link from New York. He hailed the plan as a “historic breakthrough” that will pave the way for sustainable reforms in the power sector. Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Prime Minister lauded the collective efforts of the government, financial institutions, and a dedicated task force for successfully negotiating and finalizing the plan.

“This is the first time in Pakistan’s history that circular debt, which was swallowing our national resources, has been addressed in a structured and effective manner,” he stated.

Call for Climate Finance Commitment

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also participated in a Special Climate Event convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, alongside the President of Brazil. He called on the international community to honor its commitments on climate finance, stressing that debt-driven finance cannot solve the climate catastrophe facing vulnerable nations like Pakistan.

The Prime Minister’s remarks highlighted the urgent need for a more sustainable and equitable approach to climate financing, emphasizing that “loans over loans, adding to loans is not a solution.” His statement was made as member states presented their new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with 2035 targets.

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