Pakistan committed to regional, global peace, says PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to regional and global peace, on Saturday said the country stands proud among comity of nations as a peacemaker.

Addressing the passing out parade of 125th Midshipmen and 33rd Short Service Commission Course at Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi, the prime minister noted that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts had helped reduce tensions between the United States and Iran, reflecting the country’s constructive role in promoting regional stability.

“Today, with Allah’s blessings, Pakistan stands proud as a peacemaker among the nations of the world. Pakistan’s sincere mediation efforts, with the support of brotherly and friendly countries, led to the historic signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, which I also had the honour of signing as mediator,” he stated.

Shehbaz paid tribute to Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his untiring efforts to bring all parties together to follow the path of peace and tranquillity.

“The recent visit of President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran to Pakistan was not only a manifestation of the strong brotherly ties between Pakistan and Iran but also an acknowledgement of Pakistan’s important role in promoting peace in the region,“ he added

Congratulating the newly commissioned officers, he praised their dedication and urged them to uphold the highest traditions of professionalism, courage, discipline, and patriotism.

He expressed the firm commitment of the government to modernising and strengthening the Pakistan Navy to ensure the country’s maritime defence.

“Pakistan would continue extending unwavering diplomatic, political and moral support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine,” PM Shehbaz said.

The premier also said that the incumbent government remains fully committed to strengthening the Pakistan Navy as a potent and effective force, one that is not only capable of ensuring our national defence but also of acting as a stabilising force in the wider maritime region.

“This strategic force has produced tangible operational results, as demonstrated by the Pakistan Navy during Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos. The Pakistan Navy successfully deterred and denied access to our numerically superior adversary within our area of operations and kept it at bay throughout the conflict,” he stated.

Pakistan is navigating complex and multifaceted security challenges marked by a dangerous combination of internal and external threats, he said, adding that our eastern neighbour, having suffered a humiliating setback during the four-day conflict in May last year, has increasingly resorted to covert tactics and the use of proxies in an attempt to undermine the hard-earned peace and stability of our country.

“The entire Pakistani nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its brave armed forces. The entire country remains steadfast in its iron resolve to defeat the nefarious designs of our enemies while continuing to pursue peace, dialogue, and diplomacy to address all outstanding disputes.“