Resolution of Kashmir issue imperative for region’s sustainable peace: PM

ISLAMABAD, May 16 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Friday said Pakistan and India should come to the negotiating table and resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir for sustainable peace in the region.

He was speaking at a Youm-e-Tashakur ceremony held at Pakistan Monument to celebrate victory in Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and Marka-e-Haq and pay tribute to the valiant armed forces and people of Pakistan.

PM Sharif said Pakistan wanted to live as a peaceful neighbour, adding it was upto India and Pakistan to become peaceful neighbours or act otherwise.

Pakistan and India fought three wars but achieved nothing, he said. “We should talk about Kashmir issue, trade and terrorism.”

He recounted that Pakistan had lost 90,000 people in the war against terrorism besides enduring economic losses worth

$150 billion.”

He said Youm-e-Tashakur was a unique moment in the history as the nation celebrated the success of Pakistan’s armed forces against India.

This moment has come after a heartbreaking incident faced by Pakistan 50 years ago in 1971, he added.

The prime minister said during Marka-e-Haq, millions of Pakistanis were praying for the success of the brave officers and personnel of Pakistan Navy, Air Force, and Army so that the enemy could never cast an evil eye towards the country.

He said India had unleashed baseless propaganda against Pakistan about the Pahalgam incident.

The prime minister noted that India rejected the offer made to it for an investigation at an international level about the Pahalagam incident and attacked Pakistan and martyred children, youth and mothers.

The enemy attacked inside Pakistan, wherein the as response, the country shot down six planes of India including MIG and Rafale jets and smashed the enemy’s desire to impose regional hegemony, he continued.

The prime minister said during the midnight of May 9 and 10, India fired missiles in different areas of Pakistan, adding after getting his approval, the Chief of Army Staff responded with an attack on the air bases and military infrastructure of India.

He mentioned that during the whole situation, the military leadership was in contact with him.

In a few hours, Pakistan gave a befitting response to India which was a surprise for friends and foes alike, he added.

He said after the successful response of Pakistan against India, the Chief of Army Staff went ahead to accept ceasefire offer made by India.

India spent billions of dollars to stockpile weapons to impose its regional hegemony and was confident about its superiority in the battlefield, however Pakistan crushed its false vanity, he remarked.

Shehbaz Sharif said during the whole situation, the nation from Peshawar to Karachi was united and stood shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces.

He said Pakistan was created after hundreds of thousands of people sacrificed their lives in 1947 and mounted a great struggle for independence.

“It is now imperative for us to claim our rightful place among the leading nations of the world. To do so, we must accelerate our economic progress by effectively harnessing the resources at our disposal. Pakistan is endowed with immense talent and human potential,” he emphasized.

He thanked the brotherly and friendly countries including United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United States for supporting Pakistan.

He also thanked US President Donald Trump for his efforts to restore peace in the region.

He said Pakistan could not have successfully defended itself without the professional expertise and preparedness of the armed forces.

He lauded Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf for their leadership during the Marka-e-Haq.

The federal ministers, chiefs of the armed forces, high ranking military and civil officials and prominent people from all walks of life attended the event.