Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the nation after Pakistan and India announced a ceasefire, mediated by US President Donald Trump and the global community on Saturday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated the nation following the recent ceasefire agreement with India, commending the armed forces for their swift and decisive response to what he termed as “unjustified” Indian aggression.

He praised Pakistanis as a dignified and resolute people, and stated, “Allah loves those who fight as a solid wall in His cause.” He lauded the spirit of unity and bravery shown by the nation and armed forces, saying Pakistan had demonstrated to the world that it is a sovereign and self-respecting nation.

Addressing the nation, the prime minister said Pakistan’s retaliation was both necessary and principled in the face of repeated provocations. “You have made it clear to the world that Pakistan is a self-respecting nation. Our respect and valour are more dear to us than our lives. If anyone challenges them, we become an iron fortified wall to protect our land,” he said.

He lauded the armed forces for their conduct in the recent conflict. “The brave army gave a professional and effective response to enemy’s aggression,” he noted, adding that “what the enemy did was cowardly and shameful. It was open aggression.”

Calling the ceasefire a moment of national gratitude, he paid rich tributes to the military leadership, including COAS General Asim Munir, Air Chief Zaheer Babar, and the Naval Chief, acknowledging their role in securing victory. He also honoured the sacrifices of martyrs, especially young martyr Irtiza Abbas, and expressed solidarity with the mothers of the fallen.

Highlighting the origins of the latest escalation, PM Shehbaz accused India of using the Pahalgam incident as a pretext for launching hostilities. “India waged an unjustified war using Pahalgam as an excuse,” he said. “Pakistan offered an independent and neutral investigation and exhibited restraint to India’s baseless accusations. But in its hubris, India tried to challenge our territorial integrity and sovereignty in vain. Innocent lives, mosques and civilian populations were targeted through drones and missiles and our patience was tested.”

The premier said Pakistan responded only after Indian attacks targeted sensitive military and water infrastructure. “We decided to respond after failed Indian attacks on military installations and water reserves,” he said. “We decided to respond to the enemy in a language that it understands very well. We made clear that the meetings that were to be held on the table would now be on the field of battle.”

He praised the swift action of Pakistan’s armed forces in dismantling Indian military assets. “History will always remember how Pakistan’s armed forces and jets silenced the Indian military’s turrets in the matter of a few hours,” he said. “The enemy’s military depots, ammo storage places and airbases were reduced to ruins.”

Touching upon the performance of the Pakistan Air Force, PM Shehbaz remarked, “Their Rafales were targeted by our jets and failed by God’s grace.”

He also acknowledged the role of military leadership in what he termed a national achievement. “I thank the military leadership on this historic success,” he said.

He expressed appreciation to global leaders, especially US President Donald Trump for his role in facilitating the ceasefire, and thanked China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Türkiye, Qatar, the UK, and the UN Secretary-General for their efforts.

Referring to the nature of the operation, PM Shehbaz said it was a principled response. “Our operation was against hatred, aggression and religious fanaticism. This is a victory of our principles and respect. We did that with the enemy that suits an honourable nation. This is a victory not just for the armed forces, but for the whole nation.”

Shehbaz thanked all political leaders, including PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari, for their support, along with journalists and social media users who countered Indian fake news during the crisis.