Key Points
- PM stresses wars with India have only brought poverty and unemployment.
- Warns of catastrophic consequences if nuclear conflict erupts in the region.
- Urges permanent solutions to Kashmir and water disputes for lasting peace.
- Calls for dialogue with India to resolve all outstanding issues.
- Highlights Pakistan’s sacrifices in war on terror—90,000 lives and $150 billion in losses.
- Urges global recognition of Pakistan’s role in combating terrorism.
- Asserts Pakistan’s strength now deters even the world’s most powerful nations.
ISLAMABAD: In a powerful post-conflict address on Friday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that despite Pakistan’s unprecedented success in repelling India’s recent unprovoked aggression, the country remains committed to peace.
“We’ve won the war, but we want peace. We’ve taught our enemy a lesson, but we condemn aggression. We want this part of the world to be as prosperous and progressive as other regions—through hard work, untiring efforts, and by living like peaceful neighbours. Like it or not, we are there as neighbours forever,” the prime minister said while addressing the Youm-i-Tashakkur—Thanksgiving Day—ceremony held at the Pakistan Monument here.
The premier called for long-term regional peace and diplomacy, especially with India, stressing that military victories alone cannot secure lasting peace in South Asia. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s historical preference for peaceful resolution of disputes, adding that armed conflict in the past had only brought misery.
We have fought three wars and got nothing. In fact, they brought more poverty and unemployment on both sides, – Prime Minister Shehbaz.
The Prime Minister also issued a cautionary note on the dangers of nuclear escalation. “If a nuclear tussle ever erupts, what will become of the 1.6 billion people in this region?” he asked, highlighting the grave risks such conflicts pose to humanity.
The Prime Minister called for “permanent solutions” to long-standing disputes, particularly on Kashmir and water distribution, to lay the groundwork for future cooperation. “If we want permanent peace, then we need permanent solutions—of Jammu and Kashmir, water distribution. Once we resolve these issues, the sky is the limit. We can talk of trade, exchange of business delegations, and even cooperate on counter-terrorism.”
He said, Pakistan and India will have to sit across the table like civilised neighbours and settle their outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir. Without resolving these core issues, I don’t think peace in this region is possible, he added.
Pakistan’s cost of war
Sharif reminded the global community of the immense human and economic cost Pakistan has borne in its fight against terrorism.
Pakistan is the biggest victim of terrorism. We’ve paid with 90,000 lives and suffered over $150 billion in economic losses. Which other nation has endured such devastation? – Prime Minister Shehbaz.
He also lauded Pakistan’s armed forces for their critical role in containing terrorist threats. “Imagine if our brave soldiers had not engaged terrorists, they would have been roaming the streets of many parts of the world. The world must acknowledge Pakistan’s sacrifices.”
A nation united again
The Prime Minister described the recent victory against India’s aggression as a divine blessing that nearly five decades after the tragic event of 1971, the nation now stands united and triumphant.
He recalled how the people of Pakistan, in recent days, turned to God in prayer. “Millions were in prostration, raising their hands to the sky, praying for the safety and success of our armed forces. They pleaded for a victory so decisive that no enemy would ever dare look toward Pakistan again.”
He disclosed that on Friday, May 9, a high-level meeting with top military commanders concluded that the enemy had crossed all limits. Despite Pakistan’s proposal for an international investigative committee, India launched unprovoked attacks, targeting innocent civilians. Among the martyrs was a six-year-old child, along with women, elders, and other innocent Pakistanis.
He said that a strategic response was formulated that very day.
At around 2:30 AM, General Asim Munir briefed me that Noor Khan Airbase had been targeted with ballistic missile. He sought my permission to deliver a blow that the enemy would remember for generations, – Prime Minister Shehbaz.
Subsequent operations targeted key enemy locations including Pathankot and Udhampur, with Pakistani fighter jets striking with such precision that the enemy was left scrambling for cover.
Path to global honour
The Prime Minister declared that Pakistan has now achieved a status where even the most powerful nations can no longer obstruct its path. “The entire nation stands united, firmly backing its armed forces. The time has come to embark on the journey for which Pakistan was created—built upon the sacrifices of millions under the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam,” he asserted.
He urged the nation to move forward without dwelling on the past, emphasising that the current sense of unity and brotherhood must become the country’s greatest strength. “With this spirit, Pakistan will soon earn a place of honour among the nations of the world.”
Turning to the economy, the Prime Minister stressed the need for the same level of commitment. “We must now toil day and night in the economic field as well. Pakistan has been blessed with immense natural resources by Allah Almighty,” he noted.
