President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the Yadgar-e-Fatah in Islamabad on Pakistan’s independence anniversary, terming the victory monument as a living symbol of the nation’s resolve, professional excellence of the armed forces and their superiority over the adversary. Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf also joined the high-profile event.
Addressing the event, the president commended the prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister Ishar Dar, Field Marshal Asim Munir and Minister for Interior Affairs Mohsin Naqvi for their efforts to protect and advance interests of Pakistan at the international level and unite the Islamic countries. He said the Pakistani leadership played a praise worthy role for the unity of Islamic countries and for ending American war against Iran and achieving peace in the region. He said that the late prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto set the direction for Pakistan by holding the Islamic conference in Lahore and promoted Islamic brotherhood.
He paid tribute to the Pakistani leadership for the latest joint defense agreement among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. He said that everyone in the world wanted peace and Pakistan would play its role to strengthen the unity of the Islamic countries and to bring the people together to make the world a better place for all to live. While India had its own agenda as it believed in ‘Akhand Bharat’, he noted, and categorically stated that genocide in Palestine was not acceptable to Pakistan. He said Israel wanted a ‘greater Jewish state’ in the region but Pakistan along with its allies would not allow it to happen.
‘WE WANT PEACE’
“We do not want war; we want peace. But the desire for peace should not be taken as weakness. We stand for peace with honor and dignity, those who, in the most difficult times, have become the guarantors of stability in this region,” the prime minister said while addressing the ceremony. He said Pakistan sincerely desired peace, but any future challenge to the country’s sovereignty and security would be crushed with even greater force than the decisive victory of May 2025. He said the Marka-e-Haq had enhanced Pakistan’s prestige in an extraordinary manner.
After its defeat in Marka-e-Haq, he highlighted that India unilaterally and illegally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and proved itself an enemy of peace. “I declare in clear words that every single drop of Pakistan’s water is our red line,” the prime minister said and warned that India would be given an appropriate response if the country did not mend its ways. He appreciated efforts of the whole team who ensured completion of the project within eight months. He extended heartfelt congratulations to the entire nation on the success in the Marka-e-Haq and paid rich tribute to the field marshal for his courageous leadership that defeated the arrogant enemy.
He acknowledged the outstanding role played by the Pakistan Air Force under Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Sidhu and the Pakistan Navy under Admiral Naveed Ashraf. He reiterated Pakistan’s principled support for the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people and the just resolution of the Palestine issue. “Our position is clear and categorical: we will continue to support the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris, will not let their sacrifices go in vain, and will continue political, diplomatic and moral support for their freedom until the fundamental right of Kashmiri people is granted to them.”
On Afghanistan, he advised the Afghan leadership to completely prevent the use of its soil for terrorism against Pakistan. “We want peace and stability in Afghanistan, but the use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan is unacceptable,” he said. “We are each other’s neighbors. My sincere advice to the Afghan leadership is that they completely prevent their soil from becoming a sanctuary for terrorists.” Highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements, Shehbaz Sharif referred to the mediation role between Iran and US as well as defense agreement with Saudi Arabia that has also now been joined by Turkiye.
He advised the youth to learn modern sciences, including information technology and artificial intelligence, assuring that the government would extend all possible resources at their disposal. “Today the need is that we forget mutual differences, bury hatreds and revive love. Pakistan belongs to all; we are all its heirs. Difference of opinion is a fundamental right, but if difference is turned into enmity, national strength turns into weakness,” he remarked. Earlier, the ceremony began with the national anthem, played by a military band, with the civil leadership and military officials standing in respect.
A light and sound show – Dastan-e-Ishq-e-Watan – was presented, featuring moving images projected directly onto the monument through projection mapping. During the ceremony, a documentary was also screened, featuring the extraordinary team behind Yadgar-i-Fatah and showcasing the eight-month journey of the monument’s construction, from its inception to completion. The documentary showed that the monument features five archways, symbolizing the five pillars of Pakistan, including the government, the people, the ideology, the military, and the media. The monument’s design also represents three branches of the armed forces — the army, air force and the navy — along with cyber defense and space warfare.
The inauguration ceremony also featured a flypast by the Pakistan Air Force fighter jets, which released flares across the night sky. Field Marshal Asim Munir presented souvenirs to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to mark the inauguration of the Yadgar-e-Fatah. The ceremony concluded with the flag-hoisting ceremony performed by the president, the prime minister and the field marshal, accompanied by fireworks and the national anthem playing in the background.
