Sharif addressed the Pakistani military personnel in Quetta on Saturday and was quoted as saying by India Today: "China is the most time-tested friend of Pakistan. Saudi Arabia is one of the most reliable and trustworthy friends of Pakistan. This applies to Turkey, Qatar and the UAE."

"But let me point out abundantly here that they expect us now to engage them in trade, commerce, innovation, research and development, education and health, investments, and profitable ventures mutually. They no longer expect us to go there with a begging bowl," the PM said.

He remarked just days after India conducted Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps in PoK and Pakistan in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

The terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir drew widespread condemnation.

At least 26 people, mostly non-Muslim tourists, were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists.

Recently, cash-strapped Pakistan received a bailout of USD 1 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) despite objections from India.