ISLAMABAD: The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is a manifestation of Pakistan’s growing role in regional security and reflects its commitment to collective defence, mutual security and enduring partnerships with brotherly countries, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said.
Pakistan will continue to fulfil its responsibilities as a dependable partner for peace and security while pursuing cooperation and dialogue as the preferred means of addressing regional challenges, the PM has further said.
“As a responsible state, Pakistan has emerged as a net security stabilizer, contributing to collective security, peace and stability beyond its borders,” Premier Sharif stated in his message on Saturday in connection with the Defence and Martyrs Day being celebrated today (6 September).
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“The challenges confronting Pakistan today demand greater national unity and solidarity. Our traditional adversary, along with Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan, continues to pursue its nefarious designs against Pakistan, but these hostile forces are facing successive and decisive defeats. The sinister designs of hostile forces seeking to destabilize Pakistan through hybrid warfare shall be resolutely defeated,” read the PM’s message issued in the form of an official statement.
“Today, our foremost challenge is to eradicate ignorance, poverty and backwardness and to transform Pakistan in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Our true strength lies not only in our defence capabilities but also in a united, peaceful, stable and economically strong nation. The government will continue to take resolute measures to strengthen Pakistan’s security, sovereignty and defence, while simultaneously advancing economic development, political stability and public welfare,” Sharif said.
PM Sharif paid “heartfelt tribute” to the “martyrs and veterans of our Armed Forces and their families,” on the occasion of Defence and Martyrs Day.
“History bears witness that during the 1965 war, our Armed Forces displayed exceptional professionalism and courage, while the Pakistani nation demonstrated remarkable unity, resilience and steadfastness,” he said.
Recalling the armed conflict between Pakistan and India from the last year, the PM stated, “In Marka-e-Haq, in line with the glorious tradition of valiance, our Armed Forces, under the excellent professional strategy of Chief of the Army Staff, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf, delivered a response to our age-old adversary that will be remembered for generations. The entire nation is proud of our brave Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy.”
He added, “The resounding success of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos has added another glorious chapter to our military history. Our Armed Forces have once again demonstrated that the spirit and fervour of 6 September remain as strong as ever.” The PM, in his statement, demanded that the international community “must also recognise that lasting and genuine peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without resolution of the Kashmir issue as per UN Security Council Resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Kashmir. Quaid-e-Azam described Kashmir as Pakistan’s jugular vein.”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026