ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday said that the resolution of the Kashmir issue is imperative for lasting peace in the region as the country celebrated Operation Bunyanum Marsoos’s success with a ceremony.
Addressing a ceremony held at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad on the occasion of Youm-e-Tashakur, the premier said that both countries have fought three wars, but achieved nothing, emphasising that Pakistan and India must sit together and act like peaceful neighbours to resolve longstanding issues.
Prime Minister was the chief guest of the ceremony, while services chiefs, the chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, and other civil and military leaders attended. It began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, opening speeches, a flypast, and national songs.
At the outset of his speech, the PM praised the martyrs, their families, his cabinet members, service chiefs, and the nation for successfully responding to the Indian aggression.
براہٍ راست: یومِ تشکر کے حوالے سے خصوصی پروگرام https://t.co/q0sOcA14gU
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) May 16, 2025
He added that Pakistan won the war but sought peace and invited India to live as a peaceful neighbour. “Pakistan wanted to live as a peaceful neighbour, adding it was up to India and Pakistan to become peaceful neighbours or act otherwise,” he stated.
The premier reiterated that Pakistan and India fought three wars but achieved nothing, adding that we should talk about the Kashmir issue, trade, and terrorism.
He recounted that Pakistan lost 90,000 of its people in the war against terrorism, besides enduring economic losses worth $ 150 billion, urging the world community to acknowledge Pakistan’s immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
He noted that Pakistan’s efforts were not only aimed at restoring peace within its own borders but also for the world at large.
“If our brave armed forces had not engaged these terrorists, they would have been roaming freely in various parts of the world,” he added.
The prime minister urged the world to recognise the sacrifices and suffering Pakistan has endured in the battle against extremism.
PM shares convo with COAS after Indian provocation
PM Shehbaz said he had had a meeting with the services chiefs on the night between May 9 and 10, in which it was decided that since the enemy had crossed “the last limit” and rejected Pakistan’s offer of an international investigation, a “measured response” must be given.
He detailed that around 2:30 am that night, the army chief had told him on a secure telephone call that India had launched its ballistic missiles on Pakistan.
“He told me, ‘Mr Prime Minister, grant us permission to strike the enemy with such force that they never forget it’.”
The premier added that later that night after Pakistan retaliated, the army chief had told him: “We have given a befitting response and now we are being requested for a ceasefire. So, what do you think?”
PM Shehbaz said that he had responded: “What could be greater than landing a blow that leaves the enemy’s head spinning and desperate for a ceasefire? Go ahead and accept the offer.”
“This is a brief account of a long story from that day,” he said.
“India spent billions of dollars to stockpile weapons to impose its regional hegemony and was confident about its superiority on the battlefield, but Pakistan crushed its false vanity,” he remarked.
He said Youm-e-Tashakur was a unique moment in the history as the nation celebrated the success of Pakistan’s armed forces against India. This moment came after a heartbreaking 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 the Pakistan Navy, Air Force, and Army so that the enemy could never cast an evil eye towards Pakistan.
The enemy attacked inside Pakistan, and in response, Pakistan shot down six planes of India, including MIG and Rafale planes, and smashed the enemy’s desire to impose regional hegemony, he continued.
PM thanks ‘brotherly nations’
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended gratitude to brotherly countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, China, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, for supporting Pakistan.
He especially thanked US President Donald Trump for their support in brokering a ceasefire between Pakistan and India.
“I especially thank Trump for his brave leadership and averting a long-scale conflict in this region,” he said while addressing a ceremony related to Youm-e-Tashakur.
He said Pakistan could not have successfully defended itself without the professional expertise and preparedness of the armed forces.
In addition to that, PM expressed gratitude to 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.
