In a solemn ceremony held at the Pakistan Monument on Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led the nation in observing a ‘Day of Gratitude’ to pay homage to the martyrs of recent hostilities and celebrate what he described as a moment of national unity and resilience.
The event was attended by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as key cabinet members including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Sharif saluted the sacrifices of the armed forces and civilians, stating, “We bow our heads in gratitude for the bravery of our martyrs. Today is a day of thanks — a day that comes to a nation perhaps once in centuries.”
He recounted a decisive meeting with military leadership on the night of May 9 and 10, during which it was agreed that the enemy had crossed all red lines. “The enemy, intoxicated with arrogance, launched attacks that claimed innocent lives — including that of a six-year-old child — sending a clear message that they could strike deep within Pakistan,” he said.
In a bold response, Pakistani forces downed six Indian aircraft, including advanced Rafale jets and unmanned drones. “We struck back with such force that the enemy had nowhere to hide,” Sharif declared.
The prime minister thanked friendly nations for their solidarity during the heightened tensions, singling out former U.S. President Donald Trump for playing a “critical leadership role” in de-escalation efforts.
While celebrating the military’s success, Sharif emphasized that Pakistan must now channel this unity toward economic revival. “We need to create a May 10 of economic strength,” he said, invoking the vision of Pakistan’s founder. “The souls of our martyrs call upon us to build Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan.”
Reflecting on Pakistan’s history with India, Sharif acknowledged that three wars had yielded no resolution. He reiterated that lasting peace in the region hinges on the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. “If we want permanent peace, we must resolve Kashmir.”
He also highlighted the immense toll Pakistan has borne in the war against terrorism. “We have lost 90,000 lives and suffered $150 billion in economic damage. No other country has paid such a price.”
The event concluded with prayers and tributes to the martyrs, as Pakistan observed the Day of Gratitude not only as a remembrance but as a call to unity, peace, and national rebuilding.
