Islamabad, August 14, 2026 — The Europe Today: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated the Yadgar-e-Fatah monument in Islamabad, built to honour the sacrifices of Pakistan’s martyrs and commemorate the country’s victory during Marka-e-Haq in May 2025.
The inauguration ceremony, held on the eve of Pakistan’s 79th Independence Anniversary, was attended by 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, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and senior civil and military leadership.
Addressing the ceremony, President Zardari described Yadgar-e-Fatah as a living symbol of the nation’s resolve, professional excellence of the armed forces and their superiority over the adversary.
The president commended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for their efforts to safeguard and advance Pakistan’s interests at the international level and promote unity among Islamic countries.
Recalling Pakistan’s victory during the May 2025 conflict, President Zardari highlighted the country’s diplomatic efforts to promote peace and unity among Muslim countries and contribute to conflict resolution in the region.
He recalled the role of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in promoting Islamic brotherhood through the Islamic Summit Conference held in Lahore and paid tribute to the leadership of Pakistan for strengthening strategic partnerships with friendly countries.
The president also highlighted the recent trilateral defence cooperation involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, describing it as an important development in strengthening regional cooperation.
President Zardari said Pakistan desired peace for the region and the world and would continue playing its role in promoting unity among Islamic countries and bringing people together.
He also reiterated Pakistan’s opposition to the situation in Gaza and emphasized the country’s principled position on regional peace and stability.
Speaking about the future of Pakistan, the president stressed that more needed to be done for the welfare of the people and coming generations. He said an alive and resilient nation remained steadfast in pursuing its objectives despite successes and failures.
He expressed confidence that overseas Pakistanis would contribute to the country’s development and help the younger generation realize its aspirations through education.
President Zardari reaffirmed the resolve to transform Pakistan into a developed country in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his address, said Pakistan sincerely desired peace but would never allow its desire for peace to be mistaken for weakness.
“We do not want war; we want peace. But the desire for peace should not be taken as weakness,” the prime minister said, emphasizing Pakistan’s resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and security.
Referring to Marka-e-Haq of May 2025, the prime minister said the achievement had significantly enhanced Pakistan’s prestige and warned that any future challenge to the country’s sovereignty and security would be met with a strong response.
He also criticized India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and declared that Pakistan’s water resources constituted a red line.
Prime Minister Shehbaz appreciated Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his leadership and acknowledged the efforts of engineers, labourers and other personnel who completed the Yadgar-e-Fatah project within eight months.
He paid tribute to the martyrs and veterans and commended the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy for their roles during the 2025 conflict.
“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 who displayed unmatched bravery, and to the great nation that stood shoulder to shoulder with its armed forces in the most difficult times,” he said.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s principled support for the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people and reaffirmed the country’s support for a just resolution of the Palestine issue.
On Afghanistan, he called upon the Afghan leadership to prevent its territory from being used for terrorism against Pakistan, stressing that peace and stability in Afghanistan were also in Pakistan’s interest.
Highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives, Prime Minister Shehbaz referred to its role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran and highlighted the defence cooperation involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
He described the Makkah Agreement as a message of peace and hope for the Middle East, the Muslim world and the international community.
The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan-China friendship and said Pakistan-US relations were moving in a positive direction.
He urged the country’s youth to acquire expertise in modern sciences, information technology and artificial intelligence, assuring them of the government’s support and resources.
Prime Minister Shehbaz called upon the nation to replicate the unity demonstrated during Marka-e-Haq in the pursuit of national progress and prosperity.
He urged Pakistanis to set aside differences, promote unity and revive a spirit of mutual respect, stressing that Pakistan belonged to all its citizens and that differences of opinion should never be allowed to turn into enmity.
The ceremony began with the national anthem performed by a military band, with the civil and military leadership standing in respect.
The Yadgar-e-Fatah has been constructed as a tribute to the martyrs and to commemorate Pakistan’s victory during the brief military conflict with India in May 2025.
A light and sound show titled “Dastan-e-Ishq-e-Watan: Marka-e-Haq” was presented during the ceremony, featuring projection mapping and visual imagery displayed on the monument.
A documentary showcasing the construction of the monument was also screened, highlighting the eight-month journey from its conception to completion.
The monument features five archways symbolizing the five pillars of Islam, while its design also incorporates what are described as five pillars of Pakistan — the government, military, media, people and national ideology.
Its architectural design represents the three services of Pakistan’s armed forces — Army, Air Force and Navy — along with elements representing cyber defence and space warfare.
The ceremony also featured a flypast by Pakistan Air Force fighter jets, which released flares across the night sky.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir presented commemorative souvenirs to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The ceremony concluded with a flag-hoisting ceremony performed by President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, followed by fireworks and the playing of the national anthem.
