ISLAMABAD: In his victory speech, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday expressed hope for the resolution of longstanding disputes with India, including water distribution and the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, through meaningful dialogue.
The Prime Minister addressed the nation hours after both countries agreed to a ceasefire, following days of cross-border escalation.
The ceasefire was agreed hours after Pakistan retaliated in response to Indian attacks and launched ‘Bunyan-Um-Marsoos’ military operation against the Indian military.
Soon after US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire agreement, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also confirmed the development.
In a televised address, PM Shehbaz praised Pakistan’s armed forces for their swift and decisive response to Indian attacks, and congratulated the nation for standing united in the face of what he termed “unjust and unprovoked Indian aggression.”
PM Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan’s military operation ‘Bunyan-Um-Marsoos’ was a direct response to India’s “hatred, aggression and religious fanaticism,” launched in defence of Pakistan’s sovereignty and national dignity.
PM Shehbaz has said that as a responsible state, Pakistan has given a positive response to a ceasefire in the interest of regional peace and for the sake of the lives of the tens of millions of its denizens.
“We fully believe that the path of peaceful negotiations in line with principles of justice will be adopted to solve the distribution of water resources and all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.”
“I hope a fair solution will be found for the water-sharing issue and the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” the Prime Minister said.
“I also hope the path of dialogue will be pursued to resolve all outstanding matters.”
Historic response to ‘Indian aggression’
“This is a victory not just for the armed forces, but for the entire Pakistani nation,” the Prime Minister said. “Within hours, our armed forces silenced the enemy’s guns in a manner that history will remember.”
He said the military response to India’s attack was carefully calibrated but forceful.
“We made a deliberate decision to respond to Indian aggression in the language it understands — with force,” he said, adding that India’s Rafale fighter jets were targeted and rendered ineffective by the Pakistan Air Force.
He further said that India’s military bases and ammunition depots were reduced to rubble as a result of Pakistan’s precision strikes.
“The sight of enemy airbases turning to ruins was the consequence of our resolute and professional military response,” he added.
India used Pahalgam as pretext for war
PM Shehbaz Sharif strongly criticised India for using the recent incident in Pahalgam as an “excuse” to launch military strikes against Pakistan.
“We offered a neutral investigation and exercised restraint. But India, in its arrogance, launched an unjust war. Innocent civilians, mosques, and homes were targeted by their drones and missiles,” the Prime Minister said.
He reiterated that Pakistan had no choice but to defend its people and land.
“India tried to test our patience and challenge our territorial integrity. But the blood of our brave soldiers and the spirit of our people do not allow submission,” he said.
Pakistan-India ceasefire
The ceasefire agreement was confirmed by US President Donald Trump, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday.
“Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect,” Dar announced on social media platform X.
“Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The ceasefire came after Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-Um-Marsoos in response to India’s missile strikes on key Pakistani airbases.
The retaliatory operation targeted Indian military installations, forcing New Delhi to seek international mediation.
PM Shehbaz thanks US, China, Saudi Arabia, others
Prime Minister Shehbaz has thanked all countries that played an active role in de-escalating tensions between Pakistan and India.
PM Shehbaz thanks US President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia and especially Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
He also thanked China, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, the UN chief and others for their role in securing the recent ceasefire with India.
PM thanks civil-military leadership, media for unity
PM Shehbaz expressed gratitude to the country’s civil and military leadership, media, and citizens for standing united amid tensions with India.
He thanked Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir for his exemplary leadership.
He also lauded Chief of Air Staff Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Pakistan Air Force personnel for their outstanding performance during the recent escalation.
The premier also thanked PML-N President Nawaz Sharif for his leadership and President Asif Ali Zardari for his valuable consultation.
He also lauded journalists and social media users who played a vital role in countering Indian disinformation campaigns.
“I fully believe that we, the entire federal government and provincial administrations and institutions and their heads, will come together like before and direct all our energy and focus towards immediately achieving Pakistan’s prosperity and progress.
“We will not rest until Pakistan reclaims its lost place among the global powers,” PM Shehbaz has vowed.
He said that day is not far, but the condition is to work hard day and night and stun the world.
Nation United in defence
Addressing the nation, Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated the nation for its unity and resolve. “You have made it clear to the world that Pakistan is a self-respecting nation,” he said.
“Our honour and dignity are more precious than our lives. When threatened, we become an iron-fortified wall.”
He said the response by Pakistan’s military over the past few days was a testament to its professionalism and readiness.
“The enemy’s actions were cowardly and shameful, but our reply was effective and honourable,” he noted.
Concluding his address, Shehbaz Sharif said the world had witnessed the resilience of Pakistan.
“This is not just a ceasefire — it is a reminder that Pakistan will never compromise when its sovereignty is challenged.”
