Islamabad (GNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif joined President Asif Ali Zardari on Independence Day to inaugurate the Monument of Victory, a new national landmark built to represent unity, solidarity, and the country’s commitment to defending its territory. The ceremony drew the country’s top civilian and military leadership, reflecting the scale of significance attached to the occasion.
Senior figures present included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, federal ministers, foreign diplomats, the governors of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, members of parliament, and a large gathering of civil and military officials.
Addressing the audience, the Prime Minister congratulated the nation on Independence Day and described the monument as a reflection of the armed forces’ resolve, courage, and professional strength. He linked the structure directly to the success of Operation Haq, crediting Field Marshal Asim Munir’s leadership for what he called a historic and unforgettable confrontation with the enemy. He further acknowledged the contributions of the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy chiefs, noting that the monument’s completion within eight months owed much to the Field Marshal’s personal involvement.
Building on this, the Prime Minister said Operation Haq had restored a sense of pride across the country and left the opposing side with a defeat it would not forget.
He paid tribute to the martyrs and ghazis of the operation before turning to a broader message about regional peace, stating that Pakistan’s pursuit of stability should never be interpreted as weakness, and that the country now positions itself as a guarantor of peace in the region.
On the subject of water security, the Prime Minister took a firm stance against India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling the move a clear signal of hostility toward peace. He declared that Pakistan’s water resources represent a red line that will not be compromised, warning that continued disregard for this position would draw a direct response from Islamabad.
Shifting to domestic priorities, the Prime Minister said equipping the younger generation with new opportunities remains central to the government’s agenda, and that economic growth must move in step with technological advancement.
He tied this domestic vision to Pakistan’s international conduct, saying the country aims to help keep the world free of new conflicts and supports dispute resolution grounded in United Nations principles and justice. He cited Pakistan’s role in helping end the Iran-United States war as an example of this approach, again crediting the Field Marshal’s involvement as historic.
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On regional diplomacy, the Prime Minister referenced the defense agreement signed with Saudi Arabia the previous year, followed more recently by the trilateral Mecca Joint Defense Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
He described the pact as a step toward stability across the Islamic world. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and a just, lasting resolution to their cause.
Turning to neighbouring Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said Pakistan seeks peace and stability there but will not tolerate its territory being used as a base for terrorism, urging Afghan leadership to act against such activity without delay.
He then spoke warmly of Pakistan’s relationship with China, describing it as unshakeable through difficult times, and acknowledged former President Trump’s role in facilitating the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, expressing optimism about strengthening ties with the United States going forward.
The Prime Minister also thanked Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and other Islamic nations for their continued cooperation and goodwill.
Closing his address, he called on the nation to carry the same unity shown during wartime into times of peace, urging citizens to set aside their differences and work with honesty and dedication. He said the monument’s calm, solid structure mirrors the nation’s own spirit of rebuilding and stands as a sign of the promising future ahead.
Managing Editor at Global News Pakistan (GNP), with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Riphah International University, graduated with a Gold Medal. Reach out at sabahtareengnp@gmail.com
