London, September 21, 2025: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, highlighting the importance of unity and solidarity, credited these values for Pakistan’s emphatic triumph in the recent armed conflict with India and pledged to steer the country towards progress and prosperity.
Addressing a gathering of overseas Pakistanis in London, the premier congratulated the nation on what he termed a “great victory” of May 10 against “their bitter enemy and aggressor.”
“It was a historic triumph that taught a lesson to the enemy — one they will never forget,” he remarked.
The prime minister recalled that following India’s “baseless allegations” over the Pahalgam incident, he had offered an international probe during his visit to Kakul, urging a fair and transparent investigation to expose New Delhi’s claims. India, however, did not respond to the offer, he said.
Shehbaz Sharif added that on May 6, India launched aggression targeting innocent civilians and civilian assets inside Pakistan, resulting in casualties. In response, Pakistan, exercising its right to self-defence, downed six enemy fighter jets in a single operation, forcing India to realize its “precarious position.”
He praised Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir’s confident leadership, saying the army chief had sought permission to retaliate decisively against the “enemy’s repugnant act.” The premier further lauded the professionalism and bravery of the armed forces, particularly the Pakistan Air Force under the Air Chief Marshal, for setting an “unmatched precedent in history.”
Explaining Pakistan’s success, Shehbaz attributed it to two main factors: the valour, professionalism, and training of the armed forces coupled with faith in Allah, and the complete unity between political and military leadership. He emphasized that 240 million Pakistanis stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their forces throughout the crisis.
The prime minister said Pakistan’s military, diplomatic, and economic achievements had enhanced the global standing of the country, adding that the “green passport is now being recognized worldwide.”
Following the ceasefire with India, he said Pakistan desired peace, progress, and prosperity, with an end to poverty and unemployment. “We want to discuss issues of Kashmir, water, trade, and terrorism — not out of weakness, but on the basis of equality,” he said, stressing that without resolving the Kashmir dispute, regional peace would remain impossible.
“Anyone who thinks otherwise is living in a fool’s paradise,” Shehbaz asserted, reiterating that Kashmiris would ultimately achieve their right to self-determination and freedom.
Tribute to Overseas Pakistanis
The prime minister also praised overseas Pakistanis as “ambassadors of the nation” for their tireless contributions to the economy. He noted that remittances reached $38.5 billion in the previous year, acknowledging that without their support, Pakistan’s economy could not have advanced.
