Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif Vows to Surpass India: ‘My Name Won’t Be Shehbaz If We Don’t’

Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif Vows to Surpass India: Sharif has expressed his desire to turn Pakistan into a greater nation than India by making every effort to achieve this dream. “If we don’t leave India behind, then my name is not Shehbaz Sharif. We will work day and night. A day will come when we will make Pakistan a great nation and move ahead of India,” Sharif declared while addressing a large crowd in Dera Ghazi Khan.

According to reports, during his trip to Dera Ghazi Khan, he inaugurated a series of development projects, which are expected to revamp the infrastructure of and public services in the area. He asserted yet again that active governance and reforms are his mode of achieving the economic and social problems facing Pakistan.

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Focus on economic growth and self-reliance

Shehbaz assured the masses that his government is working for the economic stability of Pakistan, to take it away from dependency on foreign loans.

“We will not rely on loans anymore. Under my leadership, Pakistan will build a self-sustaining economy that stands on its own feet,” he stated.

In addition, the PM guaranteed that inflation had shown a major decline since his government first assumed power, having been reduced from 40% to a mere 2%.

Call for dialogue with India

Sharif’s statements overtaking India came only weeks after he had once again urged for diplomatic engagement with New Delhi. The PM mentioned in his address to the special session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) that India should engage in dialogue to settle all unresolved problems, including Kashmir.

“Pakistan remains committed to the Kashmiri cause. We urge India to move beyond the August 5, 2019 decision and engage in talks as per commitments made to the United Nations,” he said, he pointed to the abrogation of Article 370 that abrogated the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into two Union Territories.

Social media reacts to Shehbaz Sharif’s bold pledge to overtake India

The reaction to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent statements regarding surpassing India in development has garnered a wide array of opinions on social media. Various users mocked him for his remarks and expressed that he must instead address problems back home.

One user mentioned that Sharif's speech was devoid of serious discussions on policy matters, stating, “Focus on your own people—fix basics. Stop dreaming about defeating India. Look at the manifestos of Indian parties—they seriously discuss growth strategies and areas. His lecture has no talk of growth, education, infra, or health—just hollow, filmy lines with no real meaning.”

If I don't defeat #India, my name is not Shehbaz Sharif," says PM Shehbaz, pledging to outpace regional rivals like India in development. Speaking in Dera Ghazi Khan, he emphasized the need for unprecedented federal-provincial collaboration to steer Pakistan towards progress.… pic.twitter.com/nQudEuLH2K

— Ghulam Abbas Shah (@ghulamabbasshah) February 22, 2025

Another mocked the Prime Minister's ambitions, equating them to the failing infrastructure of Pakistan, “Shehbaz Sharif wants to defeat India, but even WiFi signals struggle to stay strong in Pakistan.”

Several users called attention to Pakistan's economic crisis and health challenges and were united in urging the government to address the same before making big statements. One user remarked, “First defeat dengue, debt, and default before aiming for India.”

Another user presented a mathematical perspective on Sharif’s claim, saying, “A simple math. Mr Shehbaz Sharif is 73 now. Even if we assume that he will remain in power till he is 85, he pledges to overtake India in development in 12 years. This means Pakistan must move forward 10x faster and India must go backwards at the same rate. For this, Mr Sharif needs to beg more foreign loans for Pakistan.”

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A user took a more sarcastic tone in response, joking, “He better be careful. Too much jumping around may give him a heart attack.”

Another quipped, “India is a rival? First overcome the Taliban.”

One user went so far as to question in response to Sharif's strong assertion of surpassing India, "So what will be his new name?"

Another user urged that instead of competing with India, Pakistan should focus on mutual progress and stated that real development is not a game of win or lose. The social media user pointed out, “Those who want to defeat cannot progress. Progress is a win-win thing. All parties need to win for progress. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s government and military do not understand win-win scenarios. They play zero-sum games.”

Another user sarcastically suggested, “Change the name today.”

A user questioned the timing and intent behind Sharif’s rhetoric. One remarked, “What happened to him suddenly? Why such a fit of rhetoric? @CMShehbaz is most welcome to concentrate on fixing the issues of Pakistan & engage in its growth and prosperity. Indians will be very happy to have a prosperous, peace-loving neighbor instead of one engaged in fomenting trouble in our country through jihadists & terrorists.”

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