LAHORE:
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and former premier Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said the country’s brave armed forces defended the homeland with exceptional professionalism and unwavering resolve during the conflict with India.
He added that the parliament played a strong and steady role in the crisis, rising above political divides to speak with one voice in support of national security.
“Our brave armed forces defended the motherland with exceptional professionalism and unwavering resolve,” Nawaz Sharif said during a meeting with Senator Irfan Siddiqui, parliamentary party leader of PML-N in the Senate, who called on him in Raiwind.
“We are deeply thankful to Allah Almighty for granting us success in this trial,” he added.
Sharif said the parliament also played a “positive and vibrant role” during the crisis, setting aside political divisions to speak with one voice for national security.
“It is a welcome step that all political forces came together for the nation. The representatives of the people powerfully echoed the sentiments of 240 million Pakistanis and bolstered the morale of our armed forces,” he noted.
He also paid tribute to the Pakistani media for “exposing enemy falsehoods” and for presenting a truthful narrative before the world. “I salute the media for showing strength and standing by the truth,” Sharif said.
Senator Siddiqui presented a report to the PML-N president regarding the parliamentary party’s performance in the Senate.
Meanwhile, according to party sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also arrived at Jati Umra, Raiwind, and held a meeting with his elder brother Nawaz Sharif. The meeting was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and focused on national security, political and economic affairs, and the success of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos.
Nawaz congratulated the younger Sharif on the operation’s success and stressed the need to take “comprehensive measures to provide greater relief to the public.” He added, “Pakistan is progressing in every field, thanks to Allah”.
PM Shehbaz briefed the party leader on the prevailing economic and security situation and apprised him of interactions with foreign dignitaries and delegations. He noted that despite India’s strong opposition, the IMF had approved the release of a $1 billion loan tranche following a positive review of Pakistan’s economy.
“Pakistan’s economy is moving in the right direction,” Shehbaz was quoted as saying.
The prime minister added that the government was currently in consultations with the IMF regarding the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, and targets for the FY 202526 budget would be set through mutual understanding.
Speaking on the recent conflict, Shehbaz Sharif noted, “The way our armed forces and the entire nation fought this war is unprecedented.” He said the resilience of the Pakistani people has become “a defining chapter in our military history.”
“In just a few hours, our brave sons wrote a history of courage that will be read by both friend and foe till the end of time,” Shehbaz said. “They raised the national flag by defeating the enemy, and now the world looks at that flag with respect.”
He maintained that the entire nation stood united with the Pakistan Army.
Referring to India’s refusal to allow an investigation into the Pahalgam incident, Shehbaz said, “As always, India hurled accusations and then backed off, unwilling to allow any probe.”
