- Yadgar-e-Fatah monument inaugurated in Islamabad.
- Civil armed forces and provincial contingents joined ceremony.
- PM highlights Pakistan’s role in US-Iran mediation.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday declared that every drop of Pakistan’s water was a “red line”, warning that India would face a direct response if it failed to come back to the right path.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Yadgar-e-Fatah monument in Islamabad on eve of Independence Day, the prime minister said Pakistan wanted peace but cautioned that its desire for peace should not be mistaken for weakness.
“India must come to the right path, otherwise it will be given a direct response,” Shehbaz said, adding that Pakistan wanted peace and stability in the region.
He further said the entire nation was celebrating Independence Day under the shadow of the Victory Monument and paid tribute to the nation for its success in Marka-e-Haq.
He said the monument symbolised the superiority of the Pakistan Armed Forces, adding that the nation had witnessed an “ocean of emotions” in its hearts.
PM Shehbaz paid tribute to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the armed forces for the success of Marka-e-Haq, saying the nation’s head was held high while the enemy had suffered a “humiliating defeat”.
The premier congratulated the field marshal and his team on the Victory Monument and said its unique design had been completed in just eight months.
He said Pakistan had emerged as a symbol of stability in the region and pledged that the government would provide new opportunities for the country’s younger generation.
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan wanted the world to remain protected from new conflicts and noted that Islamabad had played a mediating role between the United States and Iran.
He said US President Donald Trump had brokered a timely ceasefire between Pakistan and India, expressing hope that relations between Pakistan and the United States would further strengthen in the future.
Speaking of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, he said that Turkiye had also become part of the accord, describing it as a symbol of peace in the Middle East.
He said Pakistan would continue to support the rights of the Palestinian people, while reiterating that Islamabad’s stance on Kashmir was unequivocal and that the sacrifices of Kashmiris would not be allowed to go in vain.
The prime minister advised the Afghan government to prevent its territory from being used for terrorism.
Shehbaz said no power could defeat a united nation, adding that no one should dare look at Pakistan with hostile intentions. “We are all heirs to Pakistan, and our differences should not turn into enmity,” the prime minister said.
‘Yadgar-e-Fatah monument inaugurated’
The inauguration ceremony began in Islamabad with displays of national spirit, patriotism and commitment to defending the country.
President Asif Ali Zardari, PM Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Munir jointly inaugurated the Victory Monument.
Contingents of the armed forces, civil armed forces and police from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa participated in the ceremony. Police contingents from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan also took part.
The ceremony was attended by the service chiefs, federal ministers, foreign diplomats, Chairman Senate, Speaker National Assembly and other senior civilian and military officials.
The governors of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as the Punjab chief minister, were also present.
The monument marks Pakistan’s victory over India during May 2025 conflict. On May 6-7, India — after levelling baseless and unfounded allegations against Pakistan for an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir — launched an attack on Islamabad, which was responded to with full force, humiliating New Delhi.
The more than 80-hour war eventually stopped on May 10 after intervention from the United States, which saw multiple Indian jets and drones being downed, and bolstered Pakistan’s image as a “net security stabiliser”.
Pakistan, during the conflict, downed eight Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafale, and dozens of drones.
