Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for renewed dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir issue, emphasizing that peace and stability in the region hinge on bilateral negotiations.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the Pakistan Monument to mark Youm-e-Tashakur, the premier said, “Pakistan wants to live as a peaceful neighbour. It is up to both nations whether to pursue peace or conflict.”
He recalled the futility of past wars and stressed the need to engage in talks on pressing matters including Kashmir, trade, and terrorism. “We fought three wars and achieved nothing,” he remarked.
The prime minister praised the armed forces for their decisive response during a recent standoff with India, referring to it as a defining moment following the tragedy of 1971. He said Pakistan’s military had “crushed the enemy’s desire for regional hegemony,” citing the downing of Indian aircraft and retaliatory strikes following Indian aggression.
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Shehbaz Sharif accused India of spreading false propaganda regarding the Pahalgam incident and ignoring Pakistan’s call for an international investigation. He revealed that Indian missiles had struck multiple areas in Pakistan on the night of May 9–10, and that the military leadership responded swiftly with his approval.
The prime minister commended Chief of Army Staff Gen. Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf for their leadership during the conflict, known as Marka-e-Haq. He also thanked friendly nations including the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey, the U.S., and others for standing by Pakistan.
“This nation was built on sacrifice, and now it must rise economically,” Shehbaz said, urging the country to harness its talent and resources for future progress.
The ceremony was attended by federal ministers, senior military and civil officials, and notable citizens from across the country.
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