Yadgar-e-Fatah monument inaugurated in Islamabad 

Islamabad (Web Desk): President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif jointly inaugurated the Yadgar-e-Fatah monument in Islamabad on Thursday evening, dedicating the landmark to the memory of Pakistan’s martyrs and the commemoration of Marka-e-Haq.

The ceremony was held on the eve of Pakistan’s Independence Day, adding national significance to the inauguration.

The ceremony was attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister 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 and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf. 
Federal ministers, provincial political figures, parliamentarians, diplomats and senior armed forces officers were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan had responded decisively to Indian aggression during Marka-e-Haq under the effective leadership of COAS and CDF Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

He said the newly inaugurated memorial embodied the collective strength of the Pakistani nation, the capabilities of its armed forces and the sacrifices made by citizens and soldiers in defence of the country.

The president stressed that Pakistan had an important place in the international community and could not be regarded as a minor power. He said the international community had come to recognise Pakistan’s capabilities and its role on the global stage.

Turning to the situation in Palestine, President Zardari recalled that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had supported the establishment of an independent Palestine.

He said Pakistan would remain committed to that principle and continue supporting the Palestinian cause in the years ahead.

The president added that Pakistan sought peace and stability across the region, but made it clear that the concept of a so-called Greater Israel could never be realised.

Commenting on the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, President Zardari praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, describing the agreement as a reflection of their leadership.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his remarks, extended Independence Day greetings to the nation and remembered the sacrifices of the Muslims of the subcontinent who struggled under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to establish Pakistan.

He said the creation of Pakistan marked the nation’s emergence from the darkness of slavery into freedom, adding that countless people had sacrificed their lives, property and possessions for the homeland.

The prime minister called Yadgar-e-Fatah a representation of Pakistan’s courage, determination and national resolve.

He also lauded Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his leadership and acknowledged the contributions of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Admiral Naveed Ashraf to safeguarding the country.

PM Shehbaz said Pakistan’s success during Marka-e-Haq had raised the country’s standing and warned that any attempt to challenge its sovereignty or security in the future would be answered with greater force.

He reiterated that Pakistan remained committed to peace, while cautioning that its peaceful approach must not be mistaken for weakness.

Discussing the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), the prime minister declared Pakistan’s water resources a red line. He warned that any move threatening the country’s water interests would receive a firm and appropriate response.

On relations with Afghanistan, PM Shehbaz called on the Afghan authorities to ensure that their territory was not used for terrorism against Pakistan. He said Islamabad desired lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The premier once again expressed Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination and reaffirmed the country’s position in favour of a fair and lasting settlement of the Palestine issue.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives for maintaining regional stability, including efforts to help reduce tensions between Iran and the United States.

Regarding the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, PM Shehbaz described it as a broader message of peace aimed at the Middle East, the Muslim world and the international community.

He also stressed the strategic importance of Pakistan-China ties and said relations between Pakistan and the United States were progressing on a positive trajectory.

PM Shehbaz urged young Pakistanis to equip themselves with skills in emerging fields, particularly information technology and artificial intelligence. He assured the youth that the government would provide the necessary assistance and resources to help them advance in these areas.

The prime minister praised the architects, engineers, workers and all other individuals involved in the project, noting that Yadgar-e-Fatah had been designed and completed in only eight months.

PM Shehbaz asserted that the memorial should not be viewed simply as a physical structure. Instead, it stands as a lasting expression of gratitude to the martyrs who gave their lives for the country, the veterans who demonstrated exceptional courage and the people who remained united with the armed forces in difficult times.

A specially arranged light and sound presentation was also held at the ceremony.

The monument was illuminated with visuals highlighting major moments from Pakistan’s history and its military journey, including developments associated with Marka-e-Haq.

As the clock struck midnight, President Asif Ali Zardari hoisted the national flag at Yadgar-e-Fatah while the national anthem was played.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir presented commemorative Yadgar-e-Fatah souvenirs to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.