NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
During his meeting with President Pezeshkian, the two leaders discussed Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations and the regional situation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also attended the meeting. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi accompanied Prime Minister Shehbaz.
The prime minister also met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to its historic and fraternal ties with Syria.
Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and political independence, while conveying good wishes to the Syrian people in their efforts towards national stabilisation, peace and economic recovery.
The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations through enhanced high-level exchanges and greater cooperation in trade, investment, education and information technology.
Shehbaz also reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to contribute to Syria’s reconstruction and economic recovery.
The two leaders exchanged views on regional developments, with the prime minister reiterating Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and a just and lasting resolution of the Palestine issue in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and international law.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz met IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and appreciated the Fund’s continued support for Pakistan’s economy.
The prime minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the IMF-supported reform programme and maintaining momentum on economic reforms.
He said Pakistan was transitioning from macroeconomic stabilisation towards economic recovery despite regional conflict and external inflationary pressures.
Shehbaz highlighted what he described as improved fiscal discipline, stronger external buffers and growing investor confidence.
The two sides also discussed Pakistan’s forthcoming IMF programme review and continued cooperation to advance reforms, strengthen economic resilience and support sustainable economic growth.
Georgieva appreciated Pakistan’s performance under the IMF programme and the government’s efforts towards economic stabilisation, saying the measures were producing tangible results.
Earlier, the prime minister also met delegations of Pakistani community members and young Pakistanis living in the United States.
The youth delegation included healthcare professionals, information technology and artificial intelligence experts, social entrepreneurs, youth organisation heads and other professionals.
Shehbaz invited Pakistani youth to offer suggestions for improvements in different sectors and play their role in Pakistan’s development, describing talented Pakistanis living abroad as a source of pride for the country.
He said the government was taking measures to empower young people through information technology, artificial intelligence and modern skills.
The prime minister also highlighted initiatives including laptops and scholarships for talented youth and Daanish Schools for underprivileged students, saying a world-class Daanish University was also being established.
The Pakistani youth representatives appreciated the government’s initiatives for youth development, particularly in information technology and improving the ease of doing business.
