Watch | ‘We will surpass India’: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s dramatic pledge is viral

However, in what appeared to be a sudden surge of adrenaline, he added, “My name won’t be Shehbaz Sharif if due to our efforts Pakistan does not leave India behind” in terms of development and progress.

And, he went further, swearing on the life of his elder brother, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif: “I am Nawaz Sharif’s fan, his follower. Today, I swear on his blessed life that till the day I have the energy and the will to do so, we will all work together to take Pakistan to greatness and defeat India.”

He was a whirlwind of energy—flinging his fists, waving his arms, bouncing at the podium, thumping his chest like a dramatic movie hero, and giving the podium desk a proper pounding for good measure.

Public backlash

Sharif’s speech quickly went viral, drawing sharp criticism and ridicule on social media. Many users accused him of making “tall promises” without “any real groundwork.” X (formerly Twitter) was flooded with sarcastic posts mocking the prime minister’s exaggerated claims, with some questioning whether he would still be called “Shehbaz Sharif” if his promise went unfulfilled.

Pakistan is currently grappling with a severe financial crisis, burdened by massive international debt, forcing the government to implement austerity measures. During his visit to Dera Ghazi Khan, Sharif announced infrastructure projects aimed at addressing economic and social concerns, but critics argue that such pledges have often remained unfulfilled.

Sharif’s bold declaration comes just weeks after he advocated for the resumption of dialogue with India. However, India has repeatedly maintained that “talks and terror cannot go hand in hand,” emphasising that Pakistan must first eliminate terrorism from its soil before any diplomatic engagement can resume.