Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed the decision by international credit rating agency S&P Global Ratings to upgrade Pakistan’s long-term sovereign credit rating to B from B minus. Describing the development as a major economic milestone, the premier stated that the rating elevation serves as clear validation of growing international confidence in the government’s macroeconomic policy direction, fiscal discipline, and structural reform program. He emphasized that the positive rating action reflects tangible progress achieved through ongoing economic stabilization efforts, improved revenue collection measures, and strategic initiatives designed to rebuild foreign exchange reserves.
Addressing the impact of recent fiscal choices, the prime minister noted that the administration was compelled to make challenging and difficult policy decisions to rescue the economy from instability. He asserted that those initial sacrifices are now delivering measurable results that leading global rating institutions and international financial centers recognize. The premier expressed strong optimism that the elevated sovereign rating will significantly lower risk perceptions among international capital market participants, enhance global investor sentiment, unlock fresh foreign investment flows, and accelerate sustainable economic expansion across key national sectors.
Acknowledging the collaborative effort required to achieve this rating milestone, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended praise to key cabinet members, economic advisors, and civil-military institutions. Specifically, the prime minister commended Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the broader government economic team, and relevant regulatory institutions for their coordinated performance and dedicated contribution toward stabilizing the economy. He noted that maintaining institutional alignment across defense, foreign affairs, and finance was critical in executing tough reforms required by multilateral lending programs.
Reaffirming the government’s long-term policy roadmap, the prime minister reiterated that the ongoing structural reform momentum will continue unabated across tax administration, state-owned enterprise governance, and public debt management. He assured foreign investors, commercial counterparties, and the public that the government remains fully committed to upholding fiscal consolidation, controlling budget deficits, and modernizing economic infrastructure. The administration aims to build a resilient, competitive, and self-sustaining economic framework capable of withstanding external market shocks while generating long-term employment and market opportunities nationwide.
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