Every Drop of Pakistan’s Water Is a Red Line, PM Shehbaz Warns India
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned India that every drop of Pakistan’s water is a red line, saying Islamabad will respond if New Delhi fails to change its course.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Victory Monument in Islamabad, the prime minister said Pakistan wanted peace and did not seek confrontation, but its desire for peace should not be mistaken for weakness.
“We want to see this region and the world free from conflicts,” Shehbaz Sharif said, adding that Pakistan wanted disputes to be resolved in accordance with United Nations resolutions.
He said the enemy would always remember what he described as its defeat in the Marka-e-Haq, while the Victory Monument symbolized national unity, determination and the skill and superiority of Pakistan’s armed forces.
The prime minister praised the Pakistan Army, Air Force and Navy for their role in the country’s defense and paid tribute to their sacrifices.
Pakistan’s Independence Day Message
Earlier, in his message on Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day, Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the nation and overseas Pakistanis, saying Pakistan came into being on August 14, 1947, following the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal and other leaders of the independence movement, as well as the historic struggle of the Muslims of the subcontinent.
He said the nation was paying tribute to the leaders, workers and forefathers who struggled for independence.
The prime minister said Pakistan, in accordance with Islamic teachings and the vision of its founder, provides all citizens the right to live with freedom, dignity and honor without discrimination, while the Constitution and laws guarantee fundamental rights.
Despite numerous challenges, he said, Pakistanis had achieved significant progress in defense, the economy, industry, education, science, agriculture, sports and other fields.
Shehbaz Sharif described talented youth, skilled workers, professionals, farmers and laborers as the guarantors of Pakistan’s bright future.
He said the government had overcome difficult stages during the past two and a half years and achieved the objective of economic stabilization. According to the prime minister, remittances from overseas Pakistanis had increased by $11.3 billion over the past two years, reflecting their confidence in government policies.
The government’s priorities, he said, included modern information technology, industrial and agricultural development, public welfare, employment opportunities, and the promotion of world-class education and skills.
Tribute to Armed Forces
The prime minister paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces, saying they had responded effectively to every challenge and attack and demonstrated the country’s ability to defend itself.
He said that under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the armed forces had demonstrated unity, determination and exceptional courage during the Marka-e-Haq.
Shehbaz Sharif stressed that Pakistan would make no compromise when it came to protecting its defense, water resources and national interests.
He said Pakistan was now recognized internationally as a strong, determined and dignified voice for peace and was playing a constructive role in promoting regional stability and cooperation.
The prime minister described the joint defense agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed in Makkah as an important reflection of Pakistan’s growing strategic role and emerging influence in the region.
He also reiterated Pakistan’s full solidarity with the Palestinian people and Kashmiris. He said lasting peace in South Asia depended on resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute through diplomacy in accordance with UN resolutions, international law and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Paying tribute to the country’s martyrs on Independence Day, Shehbaz Sharif said the nation owed a debt to the armed forces, law-enforcement personnel, Ghazis and martyrs for their sacrifices.
He urged the nation to renew its commitment to Pakistan’s progress, prosperity, peace, stability and social harmony, and called upon all segments of society and political parties to play a constructive role in protecting and advancing the country’s national interests.
