Islamabad, September 7, 2026: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended his felicitations to the officers, sailors and civilian personnel of Pakistan Navy and their families on the occasion of Pakistan Navy Day, paying tribute to the martyrs, veterans and serving personnel for their courage, sacrifices and devotion to duty.
In his message, the prime minister said September 8 served as an inspirational reminder of the courage, valour and determination demonstrated by Pakistan Navy during the 1965 war.
He recalled that on this day, Pakistan Navy conducted Operation Somnath against the Indian naval station at Dwarka, striking enemy shore installations with precision. He also highlighted the role of the submarine PNS Ghazi, saying its presence in the Indian Ocean disrupted enemy movements and became an important chapter in Pakistan’s naval history.
Referring to Marka-e-Haq in 2025, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan Navy had once again demonstrated the same spirit and operational preparedness, deterring a numerically superior adversary from undertaking aggression at sea.
The prime minister said the Navy’s responsibilities had expanded considerably amid the changing strategic environment. He highlighted its role in safeguarding international sea lines of communication and vital trade routes.
Referring to heightened regional tensions and disruptions to maritime activity around the Strait of Hormuz, he said Pakistan Navy had demonstrated its resolve by ensuring the uninterrupted movement of Pakistani-flagged merchant vessels, particularly petroleum carriers, despite the deteriorating regional security situation.
Shehbaz Sharif also highlighted the Navy’s role in projecting Pakistan’s soft power internationally, particularly through Exercise AMAN and the AMAN Dialogue, which bring naval forces and maritime stakeholders from around the world together under the theme “Together for Peace”.
He said Pakistan Navy had also developed goodwill in the region through operational and technical cooperation, maritime industrial linkages, training exchanges and maritime diplomacy.
The prime minister said Pakistan Navy had evolved into a robust and technologically advanced force through strategic planning and an indigenous-oriented modernisation programme.
He cited the induction of MILGEM-class corvettes, HANGOR-class submarines, advanced aviation assets and indigenously developed cruise and ballistic missiles as evidence of Pakistan’s resolve to equip the Navy with advanced capabilities to address emerging maritime challenges.
“The government and people of Pakistan have full confidence in the professionalism, discipline and operational readiness of Pakistan Navy,” the prime minister said, expressing confidence that the force would continue to uphold its proud traditions and discharge its responsibilities with courage, honour and distinction.
“Pakistan Navy Zindabad! Pakistan Paindabad!” he concluded.
