Claim: A video shows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif complaining to the international community at a recent press conference about inviting him to events but not handing out enough loans or aid.
Fact: The post’s caption makes a false claim. Sharif does not say anything of the sort in the accompanying video. Instead, he says that loans are not a sustainable solution for climate-related challenges in Pakistan and stresses the need for mutual cooperation with the international community.
A video of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaking at a conference in October has been shared online with the following caption:
“قرضہ ، بھیک امداد نہیں دینی تو پھر بلاتے کیوں ہو۔۔۔۔شہباز شریف
یہ کونسی انگریزی بول رہا ہے بھائی، کچھ سمجھ نہیں آرہی مانگ رہیں ہیں کی دھمکیاں دے رہیں ہیں”
[Translation: If you’re not going to give us loans, charity, or aid, then why do you call us… Shehbaz Sharif
What kind of English is he speaking, brother? I can’t understand; is he asking for help or giving threats]
Fact or Fiction?
While the caption of the viral posts alleged that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif criticised the international community for not providing Pakistan with loans, the prime minister does not say anything of the sort in the accompanying video.
Instead, he seems to be disapproving of loans as a solution and says:
“This is not acceptable. This is not where humanity should be directed towards. It has to be mutual cooperation. If somebody thinks that countries like Pakistan, which are devastated, for them loans would be enough, that is not acceptable. It is absolutely unacceptable because loans over loans, loans over loans, your back will break and you will never be able to stand up.”
Therefore, Soch Fact Check reverse-searched keyframes of the viral video to understand the context of his remarks about receiving foreign aid. We were directed to a video from 28 October 2025, shared by the YouTube channel ‘FII Institute’, titled “Is Humanity Heading in the Right Direction?” The footage is from the 9th Future Investment Initiative (FII), held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last month.
According to Dawn, the Foreign Office stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif travelled to Riyadh from 27 to 29 October to attend FII9, leading a high-level delegation to explore opportunities for strengthening economic and investment cooperation with Saudi Arabia. FII9 brought together global leaders, investors, policymakers, and innovators under the theme “The Key to Prosperity: Unlocking New Frontiers of Growth.” The conference featured thematic discussions on global challenges and opportunities, with a focus on innovation, sustainability, economic inclusion, and shifting geopolitical dynamics, the report added.
At 12:00, moderator Richard Attias, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Acting CEO of the FII Institute, asked Sharif: “In this world of volatility, in this world of inequality, how do emerging nations and big nations like Pakistan attract long-term investments while also protecting their social fabric?”
In response, Sharif pointed out that Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change despite its negligible contribution to global emissions. He added that devastating floods and cloudbursts have severely affected the country’s economy. “Then again, this year we had terrible floods, cloud outbursts, and we were absolutely helpless. It’s like going up the ladder and then come back down again,” Sharif said.
The part of the conference footage from 15:52 to 16:21 is included in the viral claim in which the prime minister continues to answer Attias’ question. PM Sharif then adds, “We want to work hard to stand up on our feet.”
The prime minister did not reprimand the international community for giving Pakistan enough loans at any point during this segment.
A further review of the remaining footage of the conference also did not show any instance where Sharif criticised the international community for inviting him to such events but not giving Pakistan enough loans or aid.
Virality
The claim was shared here, here, here, here, here, and here on Facebook. Archived here, here, here, here, here, and here.
On Instagram, it was shared here, here, and here. Archived here, here, and here.
On TikTok, it was shared here (archive).
Conclusion: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks have been taken out of context. He instead emphasised the need for mutual cooperation to address the challenges emerging from climate change.
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Background image in cover photo: FII Institute
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