mm-news-@dmin Demand for Pakistani fighter jets increased after Pakistan won the war last year, says premier
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan was holding talks. With several countries for the sale of its fighter jets. Citing a surge in international demand following the country’s success against India in the May 2025 armed conflict.
Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet, the premier stated that following Pakistan’s victory in the war last year. The demand for Pakistani fighter jets has increased, with several countries actively seeking to acquire them.
Minister for Defence Production Raza Hayat Haraj, in an interview with the BBC, had also confirmed that Pakistan was in talks with several countries over potential agreements to sell JF-17 Thunder fighter jets.
The minister said Pakistan is holding negotiations with multiple states to export the jointly developed Pakistan-China multi-role combat aircraft.
He added that any agreement would require China’s consent, given its role in the development of the JF-17. “These negotiations are taking place, and they take some time. Many countries are interested in these aircraft,” the minister said.
Reuters has reported, citing official sources, mentioning talks with Libya, Sudan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia regarding defence agreements, particularly the sale of JF-17 Thunder jets.
However, Minister Raza Haraj avoided naming any country, saying: “These are classified matters. I cannot name any country or say at what level our talks with them are”.
Pakistan and India went to war in May after India launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan. Following the attack on tourists in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
New Delhi maintains that the terrorists who killed 26 tourists in IIOJK’s Pahalgam were Pakistanis. A charge that Islamabad has denied and has also asked India to participate in a neutral investigation.
Pakistan, during the 87-hour conflict, downed its six fighter jets, including three Rafale, and dozens of drones. The war between the two nuclear-armed nations ended on May 10 with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.
Addressing today’s cabinet meeting, the prime minister said the government had signed a memorandum of understanding with World Liberty Financial to explore using its stablecoin for cross-border transactions.
He noted that the agreement would benefit Pakistan’s economy.
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan has made significant economic progress in a short period, achieved economic stability, and is now focusing on growth-oriented measures.
Referring to the security situation, the prime minister said the government will completely eradicate terrorism and that the security forces are fully committed to eliminating the menace.
He said the government is establishing seven Danish schools in Balochistan to improve education and development in the province.
The prime minister said Pakistan had made notable strides on the economic front and vowed that the government would now accelerate efforts to ensure sustained development across the country.
