Shehbaz Sharif says we have won the war Urges India to become peaceful neighbour vows to elevate Pakistan’s dignity in comity of nations PM visits CMH to inquire after health of injured soldiers Meets family members of Usman Yousaf Shaheed.
ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said Pakistan and India should come to the negotiating table to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir for sustainable peace in the region.
He stated this while speaking at a ceremony held at Pakistan Monument to observe Youm-e-Tashakur.
The PM said that Pakistan wanted to live as a peaceful neighbour, adding it was upto India and Pakistan to become peaceful neighbours or act otherwise. Pakistan and India fought three wars but achieved nothing, he said, adding we should talk about Kashmir issue, trade and terrorism.
He recounted that Pakistan had lost 90,000 people in the war against terrorism besides enduring economic losses worth $150 billion. He said Youm-e-Tashakur is a unique moment in the history as the nation celebrated the victory of Pakistan’s Armed Forces over India.
This moment came after a heart breaking incident faced by Pakistan 50 years ago in 1971, he added. The prime minister said during Marka-e-Haq, millions of Pakistanis were praying for the success of the brave officers and personnel of Pakistan Navy, Air Force, and Army so that the enemy could never cast an evil eye towards Pakistan. He said India had unleashed baseless propaganda against Pakistan about the Pahalgam incident.
The prime minister noted that India rejected the offer made to it for an investigation at an international level about the Pahalagam incident and attacked Pakistan and martyred children, youth and mothers.
The enemy attacked inside Pakistan and in response Pakistan shot down six planes of India including MIG and Rafale jets and smashed the enemy’s desire to impose regional hegemony, he added.
The prime minister said during the midnight of May 9 and 10, India fired missiles in different areas of Pakistan, and after getting his approval, Chief of Army Staff responded with an attack on the air bases and military infrastructure of India. During the whole situation, the military leadership was in contact with him, he recalled.
In a few hours, Pakistan gave a befitting response to India which was a surprise for friends and foes alike, he added. He said after the successful attack of Pakistan on India, Chief of Army Staff went ahead to accept ceasefire offer made by India.
India spent billions of dollars to stockpile weapons to impose its regional hegemony and was confident about its superiority in the battlefield but Pakistan crushed its false vanity, he remarked.
Shehbaz Sharif said during the whole situation, the nation from Peshawar to Karachi was united and stood shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces. He said Pakistan was created after hundreds of thousands of people sacrificed their lives in 1947 and mounted a great struggle for independence.
“Now we have to achieve great status among the comity of the nations. Now the nation will have to make economic progress by utilising the resources available. Pakistan is endowed with immense talent and human resources,” he stressed. He also thanked the brotherly and friendly countries including United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United States for supporting Pakistan.
He also thanked US President Donald Trump for his efforts to restore peace in the region.
He said Pakistan could not have successfully defended itself without the professional expertise and preparedness of the Armed Forces.
The PM thanked Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf for their leadership during the Marka-e-Haq. The federal ministers, chiefs of the armed forces, high ranking military and civil officials and prominent people from all walks of life attended the event.
The prime minister also said that we have won the war but we still seek peace.
He said we have taught our enemy the much-needed lesson but we condemn aggression and want this part of the world to be as prosperous and progressive as others by living as peaceful neighbours. He reiterated that Pakistan has always preferred peace as war only brings problems for peoples on both sides.
The PM said Pakistan and India have to come to dialogue table and settle their outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir and water distribution, without resolving which, lasting peace remains elusive. He said once we resolve these core issues then we can move on with collaboration on other issues including countering terrorism.
PM Shehbaz Sharif further said that Pakistan slapped to the enemy’s face in response to its aggression, which they will never forget. He recounted how, in 1971, a tragic event occurred, but today Pakistan stands victorious.
“On the night between May 9 and 10 we shot down six enemy aircraft. Initially, five were confirmed, now the destruction of a sixth is verified. Our enemy considered itself the regional bully, believing Pakistan held no status before it. But Allah granted courage to Pakistan’s eagles who downed enemy Rafales and other jets, showing them a nightmare they will never forget,” the PM said.
He added that the enemy kept issuing threats, but on May 9, Pakistan responded with measured force. On the night between May 9 and 10, Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir informed that India had launched ballistic missile attacks on Noor Khan Airbase and other sites. The Army Chief requested permission to retaliate decisively, and the Prime Minister granted it.
In response, Pakistani fighter jets struck Indian military installations in Pathankot, Udhampur, and other areas with Al-Fateh missiles, leaving the enemy with no place to hide.
The PM said he was in constant contact with military officials during the operation and was informed of India’s request for a ceasefire on the morning of May 10. “From the U.S. to Japan, across South Asia, the Middle East, Europe— the world is discussing how Pakistan achieved this success so quietly and efficiently.” “There are 1.6 billion people in this region. Had a war broken out between the two nuclear nations, what would have become of them?” he asked.
Earlier, Fateha was offered for the departed souls of martyrs, who laid down their lives in defence of the motherland. Fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force presented a magnificent fly-past during the ceremony. Syeda Hadia Hashmi, Shabnam Majeed and Sahir Ali Bagga presented patriotic songs.
Cabinet members, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, services chiefs, foreign diplomats, media persons, artists and sports personalities as well as senior military and civil officials attended the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Also, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday visited Combined Military Hospital (CMH) to inquire after the health of Jawans of Pakistan Army and civilians who were injured during M’arka-e-Haq (Battle of Truth) against India.
The prime minister was accompanied by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Chief of the Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar.
The prime minister praised the injured soldiers for their exceptional bravery, determination, and sense of duty during the M’arka-e-Haq. “The way the Pakistan armed forces and the entire nation fought this war is unparalleled.”
He said the steadfastness of the people has become a decisive chapter in the country’s military history.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday visited the residence of Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf Shaheed, who was martyred during the recent Ma’arka-e-Haq (Battle of Truth) against India.
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Chief of the Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar accompanied the prime minister.
The prime minister offered condolences to the father and other family members of Usman Yousaf Shaheed.
He offered Fateha and prayed for the elevation of the martyr’s ranks in Jannah. PM Shehbaz also expressed sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for their strength to bear the loss.
The prime minister paid tribute to the martyr’s services for the country and his sacrifice while defending the homeland.
