ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday vowed to continue raising the country’s voice for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute and expressed hope that US President Donald Trump will play a role for lasting peace in South Asia.
Addressing the grand ceremony to celebrate Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day and victory in operation Mark-e-Haq against India in May, the Prime Minister vowed to continue raising Pakistan’s voice for a peaceful resolution to the issue of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
“We will never abandon the just cause of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters,” PM Sharif stressed.
The Prime Minister expressed hope that “President Trump will definitely play a role in lasting peace in the region,” underscoring the importance of global diplomatic engagement.
Prime Minister Sharif announced the formation of the Army Rocket Force Command, equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
The Prime Minister lauded the armed forces for their professionalism and sacrifice, and also credited Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his crucial role in the recent war against India.
PM Sharif also lauded Field Marshal Munir for playing a “key role” in securing a trade agreement with the United States.
The Prime Minister stressed that Pakistan was now firmly on the path of economic independence.
“Economic indicators are improving, inflation is decreasing, and Pakistan is emerging from the economic crisis to enter a new era,” PM Sharif said, adding that the country’s debt burden had been halved.
The Prime Minister declared that Pakistan was moving towards a phase of sustainable economic growth that would “bring prosperity to every household.”
Touching on global issues, PM Sharif called the Palestine conflict “a test of humanity’s conscience” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the rights of the Palestinian people.
Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations
A spectacular state ceremony was held at Jinnah Sports Stadium in Islamabad as Pakistan marks its 78th Independence Day alongside celebrations of its recent victory in Operation Marka-e-Haq against India.
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir were the chief guests on the occasion.
A large number of national and international dignitaries attended the event, which was broadcast live across various platforms.
An impressive tri-services parade by the Pakistan Army, Navy, and Air Force showcased military precision and national pride.
Military contingents from Pakistan’s friendly countries, Turkiye and Azerbaijan, also participated in the parades.
As the national flag was brought in, the audience stood to give a warm welcome. The flag-bearing contingent executed an impressive march-past, and the spectators saluted the national flag while standing.
The Pakistan Air Force enthralled spectators with a fly-past. The music band comprising all three armed forces performed a spectacular march-past.
The event served as a tribute to Marka-e-Haq, which is being celebrated for its strategic and symbolic significance.
The parade members also made formations spelling out freedom and Marka-e-Haq, and in the shape of the national flag.
Prime Minister Sharif also unveiled the Marka-e-Haq Monument during the event, marking Pakistan’s success against India during the war in May.
Pakistan had named the period of conflict with India from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the May 10 conclusion of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos as Marka-e-Haq in May.
Marka-e-Haq victory
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which killed 26 people.
India blamed Pakistan-based elements for the assault but provided no evidence. Pakistan condemned the attack and strongly denied the Indian allegations.
The Pakistan Armed Forces conducted Operation Bunyanum Marsoos on May 10 as part of the military operation ‘Marka-e-Haq’ in response to the Indian military’s attacks that began on the night of May 6 and 7, resulting in the loss of innocent civilian lives, including women, children, and the elderly.
The confrontation erupted on May 6–7 as India launched its attack against Pakistan, which spiralled into the gravest military clash between the South Asian neighbours in decades.
Despite repeated warnings from the Pakistani government, India, fuelled by its media’s war-driven rhetoric, continued provocative actions, including frequent drone incursions, which ultimately prompted Pakistan to retaliate.
Pakistan intercepted multiple BrahMos supersonic missiles before launching the military operation on May 10, deploying its Al-Fatah missile system and targeting multiple Indian military installations.
Key targets included BrahMos storage facilities at Beas and S-400 air defence systems at Adampur and Bhuj.
Moreover, the Pakistan Air Force shot down six Indian jets, including French Rafale, and carried out strikes on several Indian airbases.
Following these developments, India requested intervention from US President Donald Trump, which ultimately led to a ceasefire agreement between the two nuclear-armed neighbours on May 10.
