PM Shehbaz Sharif says Pakistan seeks peace through dialogue and international law while stressing that the country will firmly defend its sovereignty and security.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace, regional stability and the peaceful resolution of disputes, while making it clear that the country would respond with full force to any future challenge to its sovereignty and national security.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Victory Monument, the prime minister said Pakistan did not seek war but wanted peace based on dignity, justice and mutual respect. He cautioned that the desire for peace should not be mistaken for weakness.
Shehbaz Sharif praised China as Pakistan’s “great friend,” saying the two countries’ relationship was higher than the Himalayas and that China had stood firmly with Pakistan during difficult times. He also expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Qatar, Kuwait, Azerbaijan, Iran and other friendly and brotherly countries.
The prime minister also thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for what he described as a historic and effective role in facilitating a ceasefire between Pakistan and India last year. He said Pakistan had demonstrated during the conflict that national unity could overcome any challenge, adding that the same unity must now be maintained during an era of peace and development.
On foreign policy, Shehbaz said Pakistan wanted a world free from conflicts and supported resolving disputes in accordance with justice and the principles of the United Nations. He highlighted Pakistan’s role in efforts to promote peace between Iran and the United States and praised Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his role both in national defense and regional peace efforts.
The prime minister said Pakistan would continue supporting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, a just resolution of the Palestine issue and the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. He also stressed that Pakistan wanted peace and stability in Afghanistan but would not accept the use of Afghan territory for terrorism against Pakistan.
Referring to the Victory Monument, Shehbaz said its distinctive design and construction were completed in only eight months. He praised the engineers, workers and all those involved in the project and described the monument as a symbol of the nation’s resolve, courage and the professional capabilities of Pakistan’s armed forces.
The prime minister said Pakistan had become a guarantor of stability in the region. He warned that if Pakistan’s sovereignty or security were challenged again, the country would respond even more strongly than it did in May 2025.
He also paid tribute to the armed forces and congratulated the nation on what he described as a major victory, saying the Victory Monument represented Pakistan’s national determination and military strength.
About The Author
