Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, while underlining the significance of unity and solidarity which had led to emphatic triumph in the recent armed conflict with India, pledged to guide the country on the path of progress and prosperity.

Addressing a gathering of overseas Pakistanis in London, the prime minister congratulated them on the great victory of May 10 against their bitter enemy and aggressor, India.

“It was a great triumph that taught a lesson to the enemy and surely, will remember it forever,” he added.

The prime minister elaborated that after India’s baseless allegations over the Pahalgam incident, he had offered, during his visit to Kakul, for a probe by an international committee into the incident in a fair, impartial and transparent manner and to prove India’s false allegations, but India did not respond to his offer.

On May 6, aggression was unleashed against the innocent civilians and civilian assets were attacked inside Pakistan, leading to civilian casualties, he said, adding that Pakistan in its right of defence, downed six enemy’s fighter jets in one go which made the enemy realized its precarious position.

General Asim Munir’s tone was full of confidence and composed, and he sought permission to respond to the enemy’s repugnant act, as he wanted to give them a lesson, he added.

The prime minister said during his recent interaction with the world leaders, he had told them, in response to their queries, that they achieved the victory in Marka e Haq; Bunyanum Marsoos, on basis of two factors, first, it was all due to valour, professionalism and acumen of the armed forces and trust in Allah Almighty besides, their latest techniques and the highest level of training and secondly, a display of total unity among the political and military leadership of the country.

He said Field Marshal Asim Munir led the fight, the officers and personnel of the armed forces displayed bravery, while the Pakistan Air Force, under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal, set a precedent unmatched in history.

They were fully supported by 240 million people of the country who were united against their enemy and aggressor, he opined.

The prime minister said that owing to this victory and achievements on the diplomatic and economic fronts, the green passport was being adorned worldwide.

He said that now that the ceasefire between Pakistan and India had been achieved, Pakistan wanted peace, progress and prosperity, an end to unemployment and poverty.

The prime minister said, “I have made this offer so many times in the past. We want to discuss Kashmir, water, trade and terrorism issues, not because of any weakness but on the basis of equal terms. As neighbours, now the onus is upon us whether to live in peace or war,” he added.

He also reiterated that without the resolution of the Kashmir issue, which was a basic key to the regional peace, the bilateral ties between the two countries could not be established.

“Anyone who is thinking otherwise is akin to living in a fool’s paradise,” he asserted and said that Kashmiris would get their right to self-determination and freedom.

PM lauds overseas Pakistanis

During his speech, the prime minister also appreciated the overseas Pakistanis’ contributions toward the national economy and termed them as ‘ambassadors of the great country striving day and night abroad and earning a livelihood.’

He acknowledged that on the basis of their hard work, in the previous year, 38.5 billion dollars were received in the country as remittances, adding that without it, the country’s economy could not move forward.