Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has declared that Pakistan emerged victorious in its recent conflict with India, revealing that future peace talks may take place in either Saudi Arabia or the UAE—with the United States playing a key mediating role.
Speaking to senior journalists in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz firmly dismissed claims that Pakistan had sought a ceasefire. “If we had requested a ceasefire, the international community would have known,” he said, asserting Pakistan’s strong military and diplomatic stance throughout the conflict.
In a startling revelation, the Prime Minister claimed that Israeli operatives were present in India during the conflict and actively supported New Delhi. “Despite external support to India, Pakistan secured victory with courage and strategic brilliance,” he stated. He highlighted the use of Pakistan's homegrown missile system Juwal-Fatah in the retaliatory strikes.
Shehbaz Sharif noted that military commanders from both nations have agreed to return troops to pre-war positions. However, a clear timeline has not yet been established. Pakistan’s delegation in future peace talks will include the National Security Advisor and the Director General of ISI, he added.
Recalling a tense moment, PM Shehbaz shared that he received a late-night call from Army Chief General Asim Munir, who warned that India was preparing for an attack. “I told him we are ready. Respond firmly,” he said. The Prime Minister praised the Pakistani forces for standing strong, especially during a fierce battle at the Pusroor post, where one soldier and eight civilians were martyred.
The Prime Minister boasted of Pakistan's defensive success, stating that six Indian jets and several drones were shot down in response to Indian aggression. “We even destroyed their S-400 system. We could’ve downed more, but we acted with restraint,” he emphasized.
Shehbaz Sharif credited China for its vital support and cutting-edge technology during the war. “Today, we’ve become China’s marketing country,” he said with a smile. He also expressed gratitude to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Azerbaijan for their unwavering support.
Acknowledging the Army Chief’s leadership, PM Shehbaz announced that General Asim Munir has been designated as Pakistan’s Field Marshal. When asked what title he would take for himself, Shehbaz laughed and replied, “Call me the Political Field Marshal.”
He praised his entire team—including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar—for their unwavering dedication during the crisis.
In response to a journalist’s query, the Prime Minister explained why PTI members were excluded from international delegations. “Some of their leaders gave questionable statements on Indian channels. We can't take that risk during sensitive negotiations,” he stated.
Addressing future diplomacy, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that solving long-standing issues like Kashmir, terrorism, water rights, and trade requires multilateral efforts. “Saudi Arabia and UAE can apply pressure, but the United States holds the real influence,” he remarked.
According to PM Shehbaz, even after the ceasefire, India launched a missile from the Bellary Air Base—an act he called an “unjust provocation.” Pakistan, he said, responded decisively.
He criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for failing to utilize the allocated Rs 800 billion budget for counter-terrorism. “They even failed to set up basic CTD offices,” he added, calling for accountability and improved governance in the province.
Concluding his address, Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed his commitment to peace, security, and economic prosperity in the region. “We want our national defense and development to go hand-in-hand,” he said. He also hinted at future collaborations built on the wisdom and vision of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif.
Senior government officials, including Ahsan Iqbal, Musadik Malik, Information Secretary Ambreen Jan, and PIO Mubashir Hassan, were also present during the briefing.
