Yadgar-e-Fatah monument inaugurated as ‘living symbol of nation’s resolve, armed forces’ excellence’

ISLAMABAD, Aug 14 (APP): The Yadgar-e-Fatah monument, built to honour country’s martyrs and commemorate Marka-e-Haq, was inaugurated here on Thursday night as the national leadership vowed to safeguard the sovereignty of Pakistan at all costs.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the monument on the country’s 79th Independence Anniversary, terming the edifice of Yadgar-e-Fatah as a ‘living symbol of the nation’s resolve, professional excellence of the armed forces and their superiority over the adversary”.

Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf were also in attendance.

Addressing the event, President Asif Ali Zardari commended Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishar Dar, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for their successful efforts to protect and advance interests of Pakistan at the international level and unite the Islamic countries.

Speaking about Pakistan’s victory against India in last year’s war, he said the leadership of Pakistan played a praise worthy role for the unity of Islamic countries and for ending conflict between the United States and Iran and achieving peace in the region.

He said that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto set the direction for Pakistan by holding the Islamic conference in Lahore and promoted Islamic brotherhood.

President Zardari paid tribute to leadership of Pakistan; Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir for the latest joint defence agreement among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.

He said everyone in the world wanted peace and Pakistan would play its role to strengthen the unity of the Islamic countries and to bring the people together to make the world a better place for all to live.

While India had its own agenda as it believed in Akhand Bharat, he noted adding it should not be forgotten that a Muslim country Pakistan treats its Hindu population better.

He categorically stated that genocide in Gaza was not acceptable to Pakistan, adding Israel since its creation was perpetrating wars in the region and wanted greater Israel but Pakistan along with its allies would not allow it to happen.

He recalled that his father took part in the war for the freedom of Kashmir, adding people from different parts of Pakistan took up arms to fight the Indian army in different wars.

Talking about the future of the country, he stressed that a lot more needs to be done for the welfare of the people and for the coming generations.

He said successes and failures were part of life and an alive nation should be steadfast in achieving its objectives.

The President said Pakistanis living in other countries wanted to return to Pakistan to help in the progress of the country and help achieve the younger generation its dreams through education.

He vowed that Pakistan would be transformed into a developed country according to the vision of Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that while Pakistan sincerely desired peace, it would never allow that desire to be mistaken for weakness, declaring that any future challenge to the country’s sovereignty and security would be crushed with even greater force than the decisive victory of May 2025.

“We do not want war; we want peace. But the desire for peace should not be taken as weakness. We stand for peace with honour and dignity, those who, in the most difficult times, have become the guarantors of stability in this region,” the prime minister said addressing the ceremony held to mark the 79th Independence Anniversary of Pakistan and the inauguration of Yadgar-e-Fatah (Victory Monument) built to honour the sacrifices of the martyrs and commemorate the remarkable triumph during Marka-e-Haq of 2025.

The prime minister told the gathering that the May 2025 Marka-e-Haq had enhanced Pakistan’s prestige in an extraordinary manner.

“If this reality has still not been understood by anyone, it is clear for them that they should remember their humiliating defeat, and if in future anyone, even by mistake, challenges Pakistan’s sovereignty and security, they will be given a crushing response with even greater force than in May 2025.”

He highlighted that after its defeat in Marka-e-Haq, India unilaterally and illegally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and proved itself an enemy of peace.

“I declare in clear words that every single drop of Pakistan’s water is our red line,” the prime minister said and warned that India would be given an appropriate response if the country did not mend its ways.

He appreciated the Field Marshal’s guidance and the efforts of the whole team including laborers and engineers who ensured the completion of the project within eight months.

He extended heartfelt congratulations to the entire nation on the historic success in the Maarka-e-Haq and paid rich tribute to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his courageous and inspiring leadership that defeated the arrogant enemy.

He also acknowledged the outstanding role played by the Pakistan Air Force under Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and the Pakistan Navy under Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf.

“This is not merely a structure of bricks and mortar. It is a tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives in defence of the motherland, to the ghazis (veterans) who displayed unmatched bravery, and to the great nation that stood shoulder to shoulder with its armed forces in the most difficult times.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz also reiterated Pakistan’s principled support for the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people and the just resolution of the Palestine issue.

“On the Kashmir issue, our position is clear and categorical: we will continue to support the right of self-determination of the Kashmiris, will not let their sacrifices go in vain, and will continue political, diplomatic and moral support for their freedom from the clutches of Indian oppression — until the fundamental right of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters is granted to them.”

On Afghanistan, he advised the Afghan leadership to completely prevent the use of its soil for terrorism against Pakistan.

“We also want peace and stability in Afghanistan, but the use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan is unacceptable. We are each other’s neighbours. My sincere advice to the Afghan leadership is that they completely prevent their soil from becoming a sanctuary for terrorists.”

Highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements, Prime Minister Shehbaz referred to the mediation role between US and Iran as well as defence agreement with Saudi Arabia that has also now been joined by Turkiye.

“The Makkah Agreement is the promise of peace for the Middle East, and a hope of peace for the Muslim world. It is also a message of peace for the whole world,” he commented.

While appreciating the Pakistan-China fraternal ties, the prime minister also thanked US President Donald Trump for his timely and effective role in securing a ceasefire between Pakistan and India last year, and added the the Pak-US ties were on an upward trajectory.

The prime minister advised the youth to learn modern sciences including information technology and artificial intelligence, assuring that the government would extend all possible resources at their disposal.

The prime minister urged the countrymen to make a pledge for replicating the unity shown during the Marka-e-Haq to play an effective for national progress and prosperity.

“Today the need is that we forget mutual differences, bury hatreds and revive love. Pakistan belongs to all; we are all its heirs. Difference of opinion is a fundamental right, but if difference is turned into enmity, national strength turns into weakness,” he remarked.

Earlier, the ceremony began with the national anthem, played by a military band, with the civil and military leadership standing in respect.

The monument has been built to pay tribute to martyrs and commemorate the country’s victory over India in the brief military conflict in May.

As part of the inauguration ceremony, a light and sound show titled “Dastan-e-Ishq-e-Watan: Marka-e-Haq” was presented, featuring moving images projected directly onto the monument through projection mapping.

During the ceremony, a documentary was also screened, featuring the extraordinary team behind Yadgar-i-Fatah and showcasing the eight-month journey of the monument’s construction, from its inception to completion.

The documentary showed that the monument features five archways, symbolising the five pillars of Islam, as well as what are described as the five pillars of Pakistan including the government, the military, the media, the people and the ideology underpinning the nation.

The monument’s design also represents the three branches of Pakistan’s armed forces — the Army, Air Force and Navy — along with cyber defence and space warfare.

The inauguration ceremony also featured a flypast by Pakistan Air Force fighter jets, which released flares across the night sky.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir presented souvenirs to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to mark the inauguration of the Yadgar-e-Fatah.

The ceremony concluded with the flag-hoisting ceremony performed by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, accompanied by fireworks and the national anthem playing in the background.