🇵🇰 PM Shehbaz on the Move: 34 Foreign Trips in 18 Months! ✈️ Critics Call It “Luxury Diplomacy,” Govt Says It’s “Strategic Outreach” to Rescue Pakistan’s Economy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has made history by completing 34 official foreign visits within just 18 months, averaging nearly one trip abroad every 30 days.

According to government sources, the visits took place between March 2024 and October 2025, with Saudi Arabia being the most frequent destination — a clear indication of Pakistan’s growing partnership with Riyadh.

The prime minister also visited China, the United States, and Egypt twice each, in what officials describe as an “assertive diplomatic and economic campaign” aimed at boosting investment, strengthening alliances, and improving Pakistan’s global standing amid regional and economic challenges.

Government representatives have defended these frequent trips, stating that they were essential for reviving Pakistan’s struggling economy and attracting foreign investors, particularly from Gulf and East Asian nations.

However, opposition parties have strongly criticized the premier’s travel pattern, branding it as “luxury diplomacy” at a time when ordinary citizens face soaring inflation and insecurity.

In contrast, President Asif Ali Zardari has undertaken only three foreign visits during the same period — a comparison the opposition is using to question the Sharif government’s priorities.

Despite the criticism, insiders close to the Prime Minister argue that his foreign missions are part of a long-term diplomatic strategy to secure economic recovery, foreign partnerships, and renewed engagement with key allies including China, the United States, and Gulf states.