PM Shehbaz Sharif Invites National Consensus on Misaq-e-Istehkam-e-Pakistan

Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday renewed his call for national unity and invited all political parties, stakeholders, and civil society to join the Misaq-i-Istehkam-i-Pakistan (Charter for Stability of Pakistan), as the nation celebrated its 78th Independence Day alongside the Marka-e-Haq victory.

Addressing a grand ceremony at Islamabad’s Jinnah Sports Stadium, attended by the country’s top civil and military leadership, foreign dignitaries, and thousands of citizens, the prime minister announced the creation of the Army Rocket Force to enhance Pakistan’s combat capabilities. He also inaugurated the symbolic Bunyanum Marsous memorial in honour of the nation’s defenders.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, federal and state ministers, members of parliament, and ambassadors from friendly countries were among those present.

In his address, the prime minister urged the nation to move beyond political divisions, personal interests, and “empty slogans” towards a collective national mindset. “On this great day, I once again, with an open heart, invite all political parties, stakeholders, and civil society to become part of the Misaq-i-Istehkam-i-Pakistan,” he stated, noting that the charter was envisioned as a broad-based national agenda aimed at both economic revival and long-term stability.

Paying tribute to the nation’s founding fathers and martyrs, Shehbaz lauded the armed forces for their “historic” performance during the four-day military confrontation with India in May. He praised Field Marshal Asim Munir for crafting a decisive strategy against what he termed India’s “war hysteria,” noting that Pakistan’s armed forces fought “like a wall of steel” and humbled the adversary “within four days.”

The prime minister emphasised that Pakistan’s nuclear capability was solely for deterrence and to maintain strategic balance in South Asia. “We are the only nuclear-armed Islamic country, and the Muslim Ummah looks to us with hope,” he said, while acknowledging the contributions of nuclear scientists and the armed forces.

Shehbaz expressed gratitude to friendly nations, including China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Iran, for their diplomatic support during Marka-e-Haq, and also thanked former US President Donald Trump for his role in brokering a ceasefire. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering moral, diplomatic, and political support for the people of Gaza and Kashmir, stating that the Palestinian cause had become a “test of humanity’s conscience.”

Highlighting his government’s economic achievements, Shehbaz said Pakistan had averted default, stabilised the economy, and witnessed record highs in the stock market along with a reduction in interest rates. He credited these developments to coordinated political and military decision-making, and acknowledged the role of the judiciary in recovering Rs100 billion for the national exchequer.

The prime minister also praised overseas Pakistanis for sending a record US$38.3 billion in remittances during the year and called them “the country’s great ambassadors abroad.” Addressing the youth, he urged them to embrace hard work, innovation, and patriotism, pledging continued investment in education and employment opportunities to make Pakistan self-reliant.

The celebrations featured military parades by all three armed forces, joined by contingents from Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Parade formations spelt out “Freedom” and “Marka-e-Haq” and formed the national flag, while the Pakistan Air Force staged aerobatic displays. Cultural performances included patriotic songs by Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, drumming by Gumby, and children’s tableaus, followed by a documentary exposing alleged Indian conspiracies. The day concluded with a fireworks display over Islamabad as the national anthem marked the dawn of Pakistan’s 78th year of independence.