Islamabad: Once rejected by criticism as a leader of the “figurehead” that simply follows the dictates of the powerful establishment in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has, against all expectations, has become one of the country’s most active and effective leaders on the world.
From the corridors of the White House to strategically important interactions in Riyadh, Beijing, Ankara, Bakou and Tehran, Prime Minister Shehbaz surprised friends and enemies by raising the diplomatic profile of Pakistan and leading the country through some of its most turbulent moments.
Some predicted that humans have long portrayed as an administrator rather than a visionary would transform the global position of Pakistan. However, by obtaining a pivotal defense pact with Saudi Arabia to improve the strategic effect of Pakistan against India and to renewed access to the Washington Oval Office, the Prime Minister rewritten expectations – perhaps even exceeding his.
In the opinion of his superior assistant, Dr. Tauqir Shah, “in the complex and often turbulent political landscape of Pakistan, some figures have demonstrated the caliber, the coherence and the capacity that the Prime Minister illustrated during the decades.
Un fonctionnaire chevronné, un administrateur pratique, un constructeur de coalition, et un leader axé sur le développement, Premier ministre qui est extrêmement habile et expérimenté dans la diplomatie internationale et les États, le PM Shehbaz se distingue comme un homme d’État par excellence – un titre qui n’est pas facilement gagné dans un pays où les carrières politiques sont souvent de courte durée, de polarisation, ou dictées par des circonstances plutôt que dans un pays que des substances. “”
How Dr. Tauqir, who himself had a brilliant career in civilian bureaucracy, see the Prime Minister’s subject for the reason that the reputable Shah worked closely with Prime Minister Shehbaz for many years at the center and in Punjab. Once an official source told this correspondent that the first performance of the judges of all and that there is no exception to those who have worked closely with him for years. “We stay on the tent tent while working with him,” said the source.
About the work of Prime Minister Shehbaz, Dr. Tauqir informed that the Prime Minister is preparing for his international and global commitments in an extremely diligent manner – any important figure from all capital is examined by him in the same day. He is preparing in terms of perfection for his international commitments – repeating his speeches several times, reading his background documents and his memories in detail, meeting experts on the subject or the question.
“It also guarantees that all ministers and civil servants dealing with international counterparts are fully prepared,” said Tauqir, adding: “menu choice and gifts to cultural and social sensitivities, he pays attention to tiny details while interacting with international leaders.”
“This is the reason why he manages to cultivate relationships and friends for life with foreign leaders.” It was also explained that during the visit abroad, Prime Minister’s commitments start at 7:30 am and continue until late at night. “During visits abroad, viewing and shopping are a non -final for those around him,” said Dr. Tauqir.
It is generally known that the late Mian Sharif, while offering Nawaz Sharif for the policy during the mandate of General Zia, had obtained the Prime Minister to take care of the family business, because the father knew the skills of the young Sharif.
His political career began in the shadow of his older brother, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, but over time, he carved a distinct identity: a technocratic pragmatic leader, extremely hard, disciplined and focused on solutions whose attention has remained firmly on governance, not just politics.
The PM Shehbaz is considered by many to be the architect of modern Punjab. Its mandates as chief minister, were marked by an implacable accent on the development of infrastructure, education reform, good governance, expansion of health care and public order.
From the development of road networks that have improved rural connectivity, to the safe urban system, to the Punjab Food Authority, to Forensic Science Agency, to Elite Antiterroist Force, to Lahore Metro and Orange train train projects, even within the realization of PML-N governments are linked to “Shehbaz speed” even within the party. But, according to Dr. Tauqir, more than speed, it is the vision and vigilance that brought out its administration.
While other politicians have made promises, Prime Minister Shehbaz wrapped his sleeves and delivered. His style of governance involved frequent unexpected visits to hospitals, schools and public offices, ensuring that the provision of services was not only a slogan but a reality.
Whether against the dengue epidemic, the elimination of polio, natural calamities such as floods, war against sectarianism and terrorism. Rarely any Prime Minister is seen acting as the Prime Minister, who had personally intervened and had won an almost impossible agreement with the IMF in 2022 and saved the country by the default.
Once again in the confrontation of May 2025 with India, his close coordination with the army chief and diplomatic skills assured that the great powers such as China, the United States, KSA and many regional counties such as Turkey, Qatar and Azerbaijan supported and appreciated the prospect of Pakistan.
During the recent Iran-Isreal war, the PM and the military chief worked in close collaboration and stood near our Western neighbor without annoying the United States. The United States has rather encouraged Pakistan to use its regional influence to help bring peace in the region.
During the last month, Prime Minister Shahbaz was seen in the process of meeting and winning agreements with leaders of China, Russia, the Eco, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the CCG, the United States and many others.
The skills that are demonstrated worldwide by Prime Minister Shehbaz are something that very little knew, said the assistant close to the Prime Minister.
According to Dr. Tauqir, Prime Minister Shehbaz is a multilingual, which really helps international relations. He revealed that the Prime Minister could comfortably converse in Arabic. He informed that the PM delivered the message the national day of KSA in Arabic.
“He speaks easily German and once delivered a speech to a large audience in Berlin in Germany,” said Dr. Tauqir. He added that PM Shehbaz can even speak Russian functional and can engage his counterparts in the Russian language. Among our political leaders, his skills in Ourdou and English are exceptionally good while it is also quite good in regional languages, including even Sariaki and Potowari.
He said that the Prime Minister’s international commitments have improved the country’s image. He has maintained links with strategic allies, notably China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United States, while emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, regional cooperation and climate justice.
Dr. Tauqir believes that leadership is tested not in comfort but in crisis. Prime Minister Shehbaz, he explained, has faced economic collapses, natural disasters, campaigns of political smear and bottlenecks of governance and yet he rarely uses games or inflammatory rhetoric. His behavior is composed, his language measured, his policies based on pragmatism, and not populism.
“When others have chosen the confrontation, Prime Minister Shehbaz chose the strengthening of the coalition. Where others sowed a division, he underlined the unit.
“Calling Shehbaz Sharif, a statesman par excellence, it is not a simple flattery – it is the recognition of a life spent in the service of the people, often at a personal and political cost. It is the recognition of a leader who, despite political storms and systemic inertia, has kept the emphasis on delivery, dialogue and development.
In the journey from Pakistan to democratic consolidation and socioeconomic progress, Prime Minister Shehbaz is not only a political figure – but a pillar of experience, a symbol of responsible governance and a leader for Times, “said Dr. Tauqir.
Originally published in the news
