ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace, progress, and stability in the region, saying Islamabad had "taken full revenge" for recent hostilities with India.
Speaking at an event for Overseas Pakistanis in London on Sunday, PM Sharif announced that the ceasefire, following a four-day military conflict, was now in effect, and Pakistan was ready to move forward with a vision of prosperity.
“The ceasefire is now in place,” the prime minister said.
“We want peace, we want progress, we want prosperity, and we want the eradication of unemployment in Pakistan.”
He emphasized the nation’s desire for investment and economic growth, stressing that Pakistan sought peace not only on the battlefield but also in its economic relationships.
Despite recent tensions, PM Sharif reiterated that Pakistan had consistently pursued dialogue with India on critical issues like the long-standing Kashmir dispute, water-sharing, trade, and counter-terrorism.
He insisted that these talks must be based on equality, rejecting any attempt to bypass the core issue of Kashmir.
"I have made this offer many times, and the world has heard it," Sharif said. "We want to sit down and talk with you, to find a way forward and address the challenges that have plagued our relationship for decades. But it must be based on equality and fairness."
The prime minister acknowledged the deep-rooted tensions between the two nations but emphasized Pakistan's sincere desire to move beyond animosity.
"We are neighbors in the region," he continued, "Now, it is up to us whether we want to live peacefully or as unfriendly neighbors."
For PM Sharif, the key to peace lies in resolving the Kashmir issue, a conflict that has been the primary point of contention between the two nuclear-armed nations for over seven decades.
"If anyone thinks that without resolving the Kashmir issue, mutual relations can be established, this can never happen," Sharif declared, reinforcing the importance of the Kashmir dispute in any peace process.
His statement echoed Pakistan's long-standing position that peace in the region is impossible without a just resolution to the Kashmir issue.
Violence in Gaza
PM Sharif’s remarks also aligned with a broader regional and global call for peace, as he condemned the ongoing violence in Gaza and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to the Palestinian cause.
He called for international action to stop the suffering of Palestinians and stressed that Pakistan would continue to be a voice for justice and human rights in global forums.
The prime minister also addressed Pakistan's domestic challenges, particularly its economic struggles.
He acknowledged the critical role foreign investment and financial aid played in stabilizing the nation’s economy. However, Sharif emphasized that Pakistan must work toward self-sufficiency and called on the youth to actively contribute to rebuilding the country.
“We must get rid of debts and stand on our own feet,” Sharif said. “When we make Pakistan a great economic power, the world will listen to us. We are a nation of great potential, and it is time for us to rise.”
PM Sharif’s message resonated across Pakistan, emphasizing the country’s commitment to peace, progress, and a more equitable global order, which continues to define Pakistan’s approach to relations with India and the wider world.
