ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday accused foreign-sponsored militants of attempting to prevent Pakistan from tapping into its vast natural resources, saying that terrorist violence threatens the country’s economic future.
“Pakistan is blessed with trillions of dollars worth of natural resources,” Sharif said during a speech in Islamabad, according to Geo News. “But foreign elements financing terrorism do not want Pakistan to benefit from its mineral wealth.”
Sharif’s remarks come as Pakistan faces a surge in militant violence, particularly in the border provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, following the return of the Taliban to power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), terror attacks in January 2025 rose by 42 percent compared to the previous month. KP remained the worst-affected region, with militants carrying out 27 attacks in settled districts, resulting in 19 deaths — including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.
At the event, Sharif praised Pakistan’s security forces for their sacrifices in combating terrorism. “They are giving their lives to secure the future of this country,” he said.
Sharif called on Pakistan’s religious leaders, or ulema, to play a greater role in fostering unity and confronting extremism. “Future generations will not forgive us if we fail to show unity against the threat of terrorism,” he said.
The prime minister also urged national solidarity to tackle Pakistan’s economic and social challenges, stating that exploiting the country’s mineral resources could help pay off its foreign debt and restore its global standing.
“It is the responsibility of people from all walks of life to come forward to resolve these issues and help eradicate the menace of terrorism,” he said, adding that religious leaders should promote “unity and brotherhood” and rise above sectarian divisions.
