- We want peace, but peace must never be mistaken for weakness,’ PM Shehbaz declares
- Yadgar-e-Fatah inaugurated in Islamabad to honour martyrs, commemorate Marka-e-Haq victory
- PM calls every single drop of Pakistan’s water a ‘red line,’ warning India would be given appropriate response if it did not mend its ways
- PM reiterates unwavering support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, Palestine cause
- President Zardari says military response showed Pakistan is ‘not a small country’ to be played with
- Islamabad seeks peace in Afghanistan but rejects use of its soil for terrorism
- Five-arch marble monument completed in eight months, symbolises national unity and armed forces’ strength
PM Shehbaz Declares Peace Must Not Be Mistaken for Weakness
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday declared that while Pakistan sincerely desired peace, its desire for peace should never be mistaken for weakness.
He warned that “any future challenge” to the country’s “sovereignty and security” would be met with an even stronger response than the “decisive victory achieved” during the May 2025 Marka-e-Haq.
“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.
He addressed a ceremony held to mark the 79th Independence Anniversary of Pakistan and inaugurate the Yadgar-e-Fatah (Victory Monument).
The monument honours the sacrifices of the martyrs and commemorates the remarkable triumph during Marka-e-Haq of 2025.
براہِ راست:وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی یادگارِ فتح تقریب میں شرکت اور خطاب۔
Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated the nation on Independence Day.
He said that under the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, “we entered the realm of freedom from the darkness of slavery. Our elders sacrificed their lives and property.”
“Yadgar-i-Fatah symbolises our resolve and determination and the domination of our armed forces over the enemy,” he added.
Leaders Attend Yadgar-e-Fatah Ceremony
The event was attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, federal ministers, provincial political leadership, parliamentarians, diplomats and officers of the armed forces.
President of Pakistan, Prime Minister and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI(M), HJ, COAS & CDF, inaugurate the Marka E Haq Yadgar-e-Fatah monument in Islamabad on the eve of Pakistan Independence Day.
The prime minister said the May 2025 Marka-e-Haq had enhanced Pakistan’s prestige in an extraordinary manner.
“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,” he warned.
He highlighted that following its defeat in Marka-e-Haq, India unilaterally and illegally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, thereby proving itself an enemy of peace.
Pakistan’s Water Is a ‘Red Line’
“I declare in clear words that every single drop of Pakistan’s water is our red line,” the prime minister said.
He warned that India would be given an appropriate response if it did not mend its ways.
The prime minister earlier inaugurated the monument along with President Asif Ali Zardari.
He said Yadgar-e-Fatah stood as a living symbol of the nation’s resolve, the professional excellence of the armed forces and their superiority over the adversary.
He appreciated the guidance of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and acknowledged the efforts of the entire team, including labourers and engineers.
They ensured completion of the project within eight months.
Prime Minister Shehbaz extended heartfelt congratulations to the entire nation on the historic success in Marka-e-Haq.
He paid rich tribute to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his courageous and inspiring leadership in defeating the arrogant enemy.
He also acknowledged the outstanding role played by the Pakistan Air Force under Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and the Pakistan Navy under Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf.
“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,” he said.
Support for Right to Self-Determination of Kashmiris
Prime Minister Shehbaz also reiterated Pakistan’s principled support for the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people and a just resolution of the Palestine 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 said.
On Afghanistan, he advised the Afghan leadership to completely prevent the use of its soil for terrorism 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.
Pakistan’s Diplomatic Achievements
Highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements, Prime Minister Shehbaz referred to Islamabad’s mediation role between the United States and Iran, as well as the defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, which has now also been joined by Türkiye.
“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 remarked.
While appreciating the fraternal ties between Pakistan and China, the prime minister also thanked US President Donald Trump for his timely and effective role in securing a ceasefire between Pakistan and India last year.
He added that Pak-US ties were on an upward trajectory.
On the occasion of Pakistan Independence Day celebrations at Marka E Haq Yadgar-e-Fatah monument in Islamabad
Pakistan’s Civil – Military leadership stood together in solidarity, showing the world that Pakistan remains United!
Pakistan Hamesha Zindabad
Happy Independence…
The prime minister advised the youth to acquire modern skills and learn modern sciences, including information technology and artificial intelligence.
He assured that the government would provide all possible resources at its disposal.
He urged the countrymen to pledge to replicate the unity demonstrated during Marka-e-Haq and play an effective role in national progress and prosperity.
“Today the need is that we forget mutual differences, bury hatreds and revive love. Pakistan belongs to all; we are all its heirs. Difference of opinion is a fundamental right, but if difference is turned into enmity, national strength turns into weakness,” he remarked.
Yadgar-i-Fatah Monument Inaugurated in Islamabad
The Yadgar-i-Fatah monument honours Pakistan’s martyrs and commemorates Marka-i-Haq.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the monument in Islamabad on Thursday night, on the eve of the country’s 80th Independence Day.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf attended the ceremony.
They stood for the national anthem, which a military band played.
Foreign diplomats, military attaches, officers of the three services and other senior officials were also in attendance.
A World Free of Conflict
The premier said the nation wanted to see a world “free from all sorts of conflict”.
“We want to resolve all the issues with justice and in accordance with the UN Charter,” he emphasised.
He highlighted Islamabad’s role as a mediator between Iran and the United States amid the ongoing Middle East war.
“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,” Prime Minister Shehbaz added.
He further stated that Pakistan would continue advocating for oppressed Palestinians and supporting their right to self-determination.
He reiterated that Islamabad wanted peace in Afghanistan, but the use of Afghan soil for cross-border terrorism was “unacceptable”.
“We need to stay united for peace and development. We need to bury the hate and revive the love for each other by forgetting our differences,” he emphasised.
‘This Will Go Down in History for Everyone to Remember’
In his address, President Asif Ali Zardari said the nation and its armed forces, under Field Marshal Asim Munir’s dynamic leadership, had given a befitting response to India during the war last year.
“This is in faith to remember what happened, in how many days it happened, where it happened, and this will go down in history for everyone to remember, whether today or the day after,” he said.
He noted that Pakistan’s military response to Indian aggression demonstrated that “we are not a small country for you to play with”.
“We are there as partners to the world, in the … family of countries,” President Zardari added.
“And I think, today, even they understand that Pakistan is a national partner.”
He said the monument reflected the unity of the nation, the strength of the armed forces and the sacrifices rendered for the country.
The president recalled that his own father had been called upon by Quaid-i-Azam to fight in the 1948 Kashmir War.
“Most of Sindh, KP, other places, anybody who could carry an arm were there, and they fought against the Indian Army,” he stated.
“By the grace of God, we got our Durand Line, our border line, but still so, a lot needs to be done … by us, the people and the public and definitely, the coming generation of Pakistan.”
President Zardari noted that the prime minister, CDF, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi were playing a “most commendable and praiseworthy” role.
“We’ve been successful till now. Life comes and goes … we’ve seen tragedies, we’ve seen successes [and] successfully managed to guide our system through,” he added.
“I’m not saying there would not be weaknesses; there always are; but there is no nation in the world that can claim they have no weaknesses.”
Prior to the speeches by the country’s leadership, visuals broadcast on television showed a large contingent of personnel from the military, paramilitary forces and police presenting a guard of honour, accompanied by a military band.
Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir presents “Yadgar-e-Fatah” souvenirs to the President and the Prime Minister.
Yadgar-i-Fatah Monument
The marble monument was completed within eight months and features five archways representing the five pillars of Islam as well as the five pillars of Pakistan itself — the government, the military, the media, the people and the ideology underpinning the nation.
The five archways also represent the three branches of the military — the Army, Air Force and Navy — as well as cyber-defence and space warfare.
As part of the inauguration ceremony, a light and sound show was presented, with moving images projected directly onto the monument, state television reported.
One of the sequences highlighted the history of Pakistan and its military up to Marka-i-Haq.
Iconic moments from the May war were also projected onto the monument, including scenes showing villagers and Punjab Rangers firing at Indian drones together.
Following the light show, Pakistan Air Force fighter jets performed a flypast over the monument, deploying flares across the night sky.
The monument marks Pakistan’s victory over India in a brief military conflict last May.
The conflict with India — beginning with the April 22 Pahalgam attack and ending with Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and a ceasefire between the two countries on May 10 — has been described as “Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth) by the state.
