Muzaffarabad, May 22, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing families of martyrs in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, declared that Pakistan has avenged the events of the 1971 war and delivered a decisive response to recent Indian aggression. He said the Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will now “think a hundred times” before launching any future attacks.
At a solemn ceremony held to distribute financial aid to the families of those martyred during the recent cross-border conflict, PM Shehbaz revealed that 33 civilians were killed in Azad Kashmir and other regions of Pakistan as a result of Indian strikes. Calling the Indian offensive unprovoked and unjustified, the prime minister said Pakistan exercised its right to self-defense in a “measured but powerful” manner.
PM Shehbaz condemned India’s use of the Pahalgam incident as a pretext for its military action. He emphasized that Pakistan had offered an international investigation into the matter, but India rejected transparency and chose to escalate the situation militarily.
“We told the world the truth — that the Pahalgam event was part of an Indian conspiracy,” he said. “India attempted to pin false accusations on Pakistan, but our response has exposed the truth and strengthened our international credibility.”
According to the prime minister, six Indian fighter jets were shot down by the Pakistan Air Force in a clear demonstration of military preparedness and resolve. He said the Pakistan Armed Forces acted with precision, avoiding civilian targets and instead focusing strictly on military objectives.
He recounted the events of May 10, when the decision for a strong counter-response was taken. “Before launching the operation, I spoke with the Army Chief. His voice was filled with confidence and determination,” PM Shehbaz shared.
“It was decided that India would receive a blow it would never forget,” he continued. “And Pakistan’s response removed doubts from many countries around the world. This may go down as one of the shortest wars in history — but one of the most significant.”
PM Shehbaz credited the professionalism of the armed forces, the leadership of the Army Chief, and divine blessings for what he called a “great victory” for Pakistan. He also stated that the myth of Indian conventional military superiority had been shattered.
“India has learned a lesson it will never forget,” he said. “It was forced to back down. This victory has united the entire Pakistani nation, and we must move forward with even greater unity and resolve.”
He concluded his address by expressing pride in the armed forces and gratitude to the families of the martyrs, calling their sacrifices the foundation of Pakistan’s strength and resilience.
