On June 11, 2023, a significant Zoom meeting was organised that brought together presidents, general secretaries, and chairpersons from 31 chapters of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in various countries worldwide.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, International Affairs President and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister and General Secretary Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Senator Dr Afnan Ullah Khan
The meeting started with a warm welcome from PML-N’s Chief Coordinator of International Affairs and Overseas Pakistanis Barrister Amjad Malik. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif then addressed the participants, expressing gratitude for their presence and acknowledging the current economic challenges faced by Pakistan. He emphasised the efforts of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in negotiating an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Regarding the events of 9 May, the prime minister clarified that no political party in Pakistan’s history has resorted to terrorism under the guise of protest or caused harm to military installations and properties. He noted that certain elements are spreading false accusations and propaganda in Western countries to defame Pakistani institutions and the state. The prime minister urged overseas Pakistanis to counter these lies and share the truth with Western nations.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar conveyed a message from PML-N leader Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to the overseas members, appreciating their support to Pakistan with their hard-earned money and their effective management of the party. He highlighted the successful integration of various factions in a united platform of PML-N overseas and praised its performance. However, he urged chapters in the UK and USA to accelerate their efforts in facing the challenges and responding candidly to the propaganda of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Ahsan Iqbal stressed the need for a strong response to PTI’s malicious attack and suggested highlighting that the removal of the Imran Khan-led government was carried out constitutionally. Iqbal emphasised Pakistan’s right, like any other country, to employ constitutional procedures to deal with threats to the state.
Following these discussions, the prime minister provided an opportunity for the presidents of each country to present their reports and suggestions. The presidents and representatives expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, and Barrister Amjad Malik for organising the Zoom meeting. They affirmed their commitment to resisting PTI’s divisive policies and hatred, utilising all available resources within the boundaries of legal frameworks, even in countries such as Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries where political activities face restrictions. Representatives from Western countries, including the UK, USA, and Canada, mentioned the PTI sympathisers in Pakistani missions abroad.
PML-N representatives from various countries, including the USA, Great Britain, Australia, Austria, Portugal, Canada, South Korea, France, Kuwait, Oman, UAE, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Bahrain, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia attended the meeting.
The meeting was attended by Rohail Dar from the USA, Zubair Gul from Great Britain, Dr Abul Fazl from Australia, Ali Sharaft from Austria, Shama Butt from Portugal, Sohail Waraich from Canada, Raja Amir Iqbal and Dr Sabir Hussain from South Korea, Mian Hanif from France, Mian Arshad and Irfan Nagra from Kuwait, Muhammad Ali Fasal from Oman, Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, Abu Bakr Effendi, and Farzana Kausar from the United Arab Emirates, Shahid Tanveer from Norway, Rahmatullah Baig from Denmark, Saeed Sheikh, Kashif Bhutta, and Asad Ayaz from Sweden, Rana Liaqat Ali, Hafiz Abdul Rehman, Arman and General Secretary Ansar Butt from Germany, Chaudhry Ijaz Ahmed from Greece, Atif Butt, Mir Abrar, and Secretary General Tausif Tahir Bhatti from Turkey, Chaudhry Raffaqat and Nadeem Hafeez from Bahrain, Maher Nisar from Malaysia, Mohammad Asif Majeed from Thailand, Hafiz Maher Shams and Ms Iram from Japan, Nawaz Wahla and Alam Zeb from Switzerland, and President Saeed Sheikh, General Secretary Manzoor Malik, Chairman Chaudhry Akram, Mehmood Dogar, Dr Kanwal Anees, and Saira Shams from Saudi Arabia.
During the meeting, several suggestions were put forward. In response, the prime minister directed the participants to prepare recommendations within seven days to counter the artificial anxiety created in Western countries. The objective is to ensure host countries are aware of the factual situation and combat the misinformation campaign effectively.
The meeting concluded with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressing his gratitude to all the attendees for their active participation and support in defending Pakistan’s interests.
