Pakistan wants peace, but will respond firmly to any aggression: PM Shehbaz 

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that Pakistan remained committed to peace but would never permit its pursuit of peace to be interpreted as a sign of weakness, warning that any future attempt to undermine the country’s sovereignty or security would face a response even stronger than the one delivered during the decisive May 2025 victory.

“We do not want war; we want peace. But the desire for peace should not be taken as weakness. We stand for peace with honour and dignity, those who, in the most difficult times, have become the guarantors of stability in this region,” the prime minister said while addressing a ceremony marking Pakistan’s 79th Independence Anniversary and inaugurating Yadgar-e-Fatah, a monument established to remember the sacrifices of the martyrs and commemorate the country’s notable success during Marka-e-Haq in 2025.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, federal ministers, provincial political figures, parliamentarians, diplomats and senior military officers attended the ceremony.

The prime minister said the events of May 2025 had significantly elevated Pakistan’s standing and reputation internationally. He stressed that those who had yet to recognise the significance of that outcome should take note of the defeat suffered by the adversary.

“If this reality has still not been understood by anyone, it is clear for them that they should remember their humiliating defeat, and if in future anyone, even by mistake, challenges Pakistan’s sovereignty and security, they will be given a crushing response with even greater force than in May 2025,” PM Shehbaz said.

Referring to developments following Marka-e-Haq, Prime Minister Shehbaz said India had taken the unilateral and unlawful step of suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, which, he said, demonstrated that New Delhi was acting against regional peace.

“I declare in clear words that every single drop of Pakistan’s water is our red line,” the premier said, cautioning that Pakistan would respond appropriately if India failed to change its course.

Earlier, the prime minister and President Asif Ali Zardari jointly inaugurated Yadgar-e-Fatah. 
PM Shehbaz described the monument as a lasting representation of Pakistan’s determination, the professional capabilities of its armed forces and their superiority over the opposing side.

He praised Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his leadership and also recognised the contribution of everyone involved in constructing the monument, including workers, engineers and other members of the project team.

The prime minister noted that the structure had been completed within eight months.

PM Shehbaz congratulated the nation on the historic achievement during Marka-e-Haq and paid tribute to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for what he described as courageous and inspirational leadership that enabled Pakistan to defeat an overconfident adversary.

He also commended the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), led by Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, and the Pakistan Navy under Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf for their important contributions.

“This is not merely a structure of bricks and mortar. It is a tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives in defence of the motherland, to the ghazis (veterans) who displayed unmatched bravery, and to the great nation that stood shoulder to shoulder with its armed forces in the most difficult times.”

PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding position on Kashmir and Palestine, reiterating Islamabad’s support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination and for a just settlement of the Palestinian issue.

“On the Kashmir issue, our position is clear and categorical: we will continue to support the right of self-determination of the Kashmiris, will not let their sacrifices go in vain, and will continue political, diplomatic and moral support for their freedom from the clutches of Indian oppression — until the fundamental right of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters is granted to them,” he asserted.

Turning to Afghanistan, PM Shehbaz called on the Afghan authorities to ensure that their territory was not used by militants to launch attacks against Pakistan.

“We also want peace and stability in Afghanistan, but the use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan is unacceptable. We are each other’s neighbours. My sincere advice to the Afghan leadership is that they completely prevent their soil from becoming a sanctuary for terrorists,” he said.

Discussing Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives, PM Shehbaz highlighted Islamabad’s role in efforts involving the United States (US) and Iran, as well as its defence cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, which has subsequently received Turkiye’s participation.

“The Makkah Agreement is the promise of peace for the Middle East, and a hope of peace for the Muslim world. It is also a message of peace for the whole world,” he said.
The prime minister also underscored the close and longstanding relationship between Pakistan and China.

He also expressed appreciation for US President Donald Trump’s timely and effective contribution to the ceasefire between Pakistan and India last year, saying that relations between Islamabad and Washington were moving in a positive direction.

Addressing the country’s younger generation, PM Shehbaz advised young Pakistanis to acquire expertise in emerging fields, particularly information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI).

He assured them that the government would make every possible resource available to support their education and development.

The prime minister urged citizens to draw inspiration from the unity demonstrated during Marka-e-Haq and channel the same spirit towards strengthening the country and advancing national prosperity.

“Today the need is that we forget mutual differences, bury hatreds and revive love. Pakistan belongs to all, we are all its heirs and also responsible. Difference of opinion is a fundamental right, but if difference is turned into enmity, national strength turns into weakness,” PM Shehbaz said.