Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday underscored Pakistan’s strides as a net regional stabiliser contributing to peace and stability in the region and beyond, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The prime minister made the remarks during his address to faculty members and student officers at the Command and Staff College in Quetta on Tuesday.
“The prime minister underscored the importance of military diplomacy and cooperation and the strides made by Pakistan as Net Regional Stabiliser to contribute towards peace, stability and progression in the region and beyond,” said the PMO statement.
PM Shehbaz, referring to Marka-i-Haq, also paid tribute to the Pakistan Armed Forces’ historic victory under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
“The enemy falsely perceived itself as stronger than Pakistan. They rejected our sincere offer of dialogue to resolve differences and remove misunderstandings; instead, they chose the path of provocation, violence, and aggression. India did not recognise that Pakistan’s peace offer was never its weakness; it was, in fact, our strength,” said the prime minister during his speech at the military institution, which was broadcast on TV.
Meanwhile, the statement issued by the PMO added that the premier highlighted Pakistan’s responsible conduct and escalation control against India’s unprovoked hubristic aggression, stating that Pakistan’s mature, prudent and just stance was also acknowledged by the international community.
“On the diplomatic front, Pakistan’s narrative was fully vindicated and that of our enemy was debunked and dismissed completely,” the prime minister said.
PM Shehbaz also reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve “to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity against any misadventure at all costs”.
According to the PMO, the premier stated that Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq was continuing with “full resolve” to defend the lives and property of innocent citizens against Afghan-based terrorist proxies, and to inflict punishment on terrorist hideouts and support infrastructure.
“The Afghan government must take meaningful and credible actions against Islamic State Khorasan Province, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, and Balochistan Liberation Army, who use Afghan soil to attack Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz said during his speech to military officers.
During his visit, PM Shehbaz also acknowledged the presence of students from friendly countries at the war college.
He lauded the professionalism, operational preparedness, and sacrifices of the Pakistan armed forces in safeguarding national sovereignty and ensuring peace and stability, the PMO added.
The statement further said that the premier also paid rich tribute to the martyrs and to the unwavering commitment of the armed forces in defence of the motherland.
Speaking on Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of occupied Kashmir and Palestine, the premier said that Islamabad has “consistently advocated the right of the Palestinian people, who have been facing illegal Israeli occupation as well as its brutal oppression”.
“A just and legitimate resolution of the Palestinian issue is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with the UN Charter,” he maintained.
