Archive · 31 Jan 2026
Pakistan PM Admits Seeking Foreign Aid
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the country's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, have admitted that they personally asked other countries for money to help Pakistan with its economic problems.
They did this because Pakistan is having a hard time paying for things it needs from other countries.
The Prime Minister said that getting this help sometimes means making tough choices and can make the country feel less proud.
Pakistan is trying to get a loan from the IMF, and it needs help from other countries to meet the conditions for this loan.
Some people in Pakistan are criticizing the government for having to ask for help, but the government says it's thankful for the support and wants to rely less on borrowing money in the future.
Pakistan's economic lifelines are heavily reliant on China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, which provide critical financial support to stabilise foreign exchange reserves and prevent a balance-of-payments crisis.
The country is facing severe socioeconomic issues, with high poverty and unemployment rates, and a significant debt burden.
Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif admitted to seeking financial support from foreign countries to address economic challenges.
He and Army Chief Asim Munir personally approached governments to secure assistance for IMF loan conditions.
Sharif acknowledged that seeking funds often involves difficult compromises and lowered national self-esteem.
Analysts highlight Pakistan's reliance on IMF bailouts and Gulf allies for financial support.
The government emphasizes gratitude toward partner nations and aims to reduce reliance on external borrowing.
- Who
- Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir
- What
- Admitted to seeking financial support from foreign countries
- When
- January 30, 2026
- Where
- Islamabad, Pakistan
- Why
- To address Pakistan's balance-of-payments problems and secure IMF loan conditions
- Prime Minister
- Shehbaz Sharif
- Army Chief
- Field Marshal Asim Munir
- Event Date
- January 30, 2026
- Location
- Islamabad, Pakistan
- Economic Challenge
- Balance-of-payments problems
- Key Supporters
- China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, IMF
- Government Goal
- Reduce reliance on external borrowing
- Foreign Reserves
- Expected to cross $20 billion by December
- IMF Loan
- $1.2 billion
- Poverty Rate
- 45%
- Unemployment Rate
- 7.1%
- Public Debt
- Rs 76,000 billion as of March 2025
- Foreign Assistance Inflows (July-Dec 2025)
- $4.5 billion
- China's Support
- $4 billion (2024-25), $60 billion (CPEC)
- Saudi Arabia's Support
- $3 billion deposit, $1.2 billion oil payment facility
- UAE's Support
- $2 billion loan, $10-25 billion investments
- Qatar's Support
- $3 billion investments, key LNG supplier
Sources
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Admits He ‘Begged’ for Funds Abroad With Army Chief Asim Munir
Soaring Food Inflation & Persistent Unemployment Deepen Pakistan’s Socioeconomic Crisis
‘We feel ashamed when Asim Munir and I go around world begging for money’: Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif
"We Feel Ashamed": Pak PM On "Begging For Money" Around The World
Head bowed, self-respect compromised: Pakistan PM on foreign loan humiliation
Pak Terror Proxies Threaten Kashmiri Intellectual as Shehbaz Sharif Admits 'Begging’ for Loans
Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif Admits Shame Over Begging for Foreign Loans
‘Pak desperately needs funds…am begging’: Pak PM Sharif says he’s forced to compromise
Open Letter to a Pakistani — Not to Generals and Politicians Who Never Miss A Meal
‘We feel ashamed when Asim Munir and I beg for money around the world’: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif
'Asim Munir & I go begging for money’: Pakistan PM admits economic crisis
‘Our heads were bowed’: Shehbaz Sharif reveals the ‘price’ Pakistan paid for multi-billion dollar bailouts
‘Asim Munir and I have to go begging around the world, it is embarrassing’: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif laments about his country’s economy
'Our heads bow down in shame': Pak PM Sharif says he has gone 'begging for money' with Munir
Seeking foreign loans forced Pakistan to ‘bow its head’, admits Pakisan PM Shehbaz Sharif
