PRESIDENT, PM HAND OVER BATON OF FIELD MARSHAL TO COAS: India will never forget this defeat: Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD/ MUZAFFARABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday jointly conferred the baton of field marshal upon Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir during a special investiture ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad.

Addressing the ceremony, the president said they gathered to honour the nation’s armed forces and the heroes of the army, navy and the air force, who defended the sovereignty, territory and integrity against unprovoked Indian aggression.

“The entire nation is proud of all of you,” he added. The president added that it was a matter of great pleasure for him to confer the baton of field marshal upon COAS Asim Munir in recognition of his extraordinary services to Pakistan during the turbulent period and with full confidence in his command and character.

“I, as president of Pakistan, hereby promote General Syed Asim Munir to the full rank of field marshal and confer the baton of field marshal as supreme commander of the armed forces,” he added.

Addressing the ceremony, PM Shehbaz said: “Today is a moment of profound national pride and historic importance for Pakistan.” He said that they salute their national heroes, COAS Field Marshal Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf.

“You have led our brave armed forces to a remarkable victory against an enemy, caught in its own web of arrogance and hubris,” the premier added. “Our armed forces not only defended the nation’s frontiers but also took the battle deep into the enemy’s territory, and within no time, the aggressor was brought to its knees and was taught a lesson.”

Meanwhile, while addressing a ceremony for distribution of compensation cheques among the families of those martyred in Maarka-e-Haq, the recent Pakistan-India war, in Muzaffarabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday said India would never forget the defeat in the recent “briefest yet most effective war” that also falsified those who thought Pakistan lagged behind in conventional war.

“Some thought Pakistan was behind in conventional warfare — this war proved them wrong. Our unity, courage, and faith will lead us to economic progress and ultimate victory... India will never forget this defeat. And Insha-Allah, the day will dawn when Kashmir becomes part of Pakistan,” he said

He was joined by AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwaarul Haq and Federal Minister Engineer Amir Muqam, who lauded the leadership and valour shown by the armed forces and civilians.

PM Shehbaz stated that Pakistan’s measured, yet forceful, military response to Indian aggression had rewritten history and proven Pakistan’s defensive capabilities to the world. He reflected on the recent conflict, triggered by what he described as India’s “false flag” Pahalgam operation, and lauded the unwavering courage of the armed forces and citizens of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

“A few days ago, India’s baseless accusations over the Pahalgam incident attempted to sabotage regional peace. In response, Pakistan offered a full international investigation... But instead of accepting the offer, India launched attacks on Bahawalpur and AJK, resulting in 35 martyrs and 55 injured. We responded decisively downing six Indian jets including their Rafale and MiG-29 — and defended with honour using Al-Fatah missiles,” he said.

The prime minister recounted pivotal moments of the conflict, describing the early morning call from now Field Marshal Asim Munir, confirming Indian missile strikes, and the decision to retaliate. “This was the briefest yet most effective war, where Pakistan defended without harming civilians. Our forces led by General Asim Munir turned the tide. Field Marshal Asim Munir led the armed forces from the front,” he added. By May 10, India was pleading for a ceasefire. “It was Allah’s will and our soldiers’ courage that avenged past wounds, including the memory of 1971,” said the prime minister, praising national unity and armed forces’ prowess across land, air, and sea.

Shehbaz told the gathering that the government had announced a comprehensive compensation package for the families of martyrs and the injured with Rs10 million per martyr’s family and Rs2-5 million per injured individual. Besides the families of martyrs of armed forces would be given Rs19-42 million each for housing, full salaries and allowances until their retirement dates, free education for bereaved children, and Rs1 million marriage grant for their respective daughters.

On the other hand, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi threatened on Thursday Pakistan would not get ‘water from rivers over which India has rights’. His government had suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan about one month ago after the Pahalgam incident. “Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for every terrorist attack ... Pakistan’s army will pay it, Pakistan’s economy will pay it,” Modi said at a public event in Rajasthan, which borders Pakistan.

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday strongly condemned the terrorist attack on children in Khuzdar, labelling it as a cowardly act carried out by Indian-backed proxies. Addressing the Senate, Dar called for a clear national strategy to confront foreign-sponsored terrorism, proposing the formation of a special committee comprising key ministries.

He stressed that combating terrorism was also a major focus of his recent diplomatic engagement in China. Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating terrorism from the country and the region, highlighting the military leadership’s firm resolve and the central government’s active engagement.

Referring to the National Action Plan (NAP), Dar said it had been partially implemented and urged full execution. He accused the previous PTI government of weakening border controls, allowing tens of thousands of militants to enter Pakistan.

The Senate session saw unanimous adoption of a resolution designating May 25 as Pakistan-Africa Friendship Day, affirming Pakistan’s intent to strengthen ties with African nations across political, economic, and cultural sectors.

Another strongly worded resolution condemned India’s role in sponsoring terrorism, calling on the international community to act. It demanded a transparent investigation into the Khuzdar attack and punishment for all those involved, including foreign financiers and collaborators.

In passionate speeches, PTI’s Barrister Ali Zafar called the attack “pure evil” and praised Pakistan’s measured counter-response. Senator Irfan Siddiqui said terrorists must be dealt with without leniency. PPP parliamentary leader in the Senate Sherry Rehman condemned the Khuzdar terror attack, likening it to a “second APS massacre”. She said Pakistan continues to fight a grueling battle against terrorism, including threats from banned groups like TTP and BLA, which she claimed have visible footprints of Indian involvement.

ANP’s Aimal Wali Khan emphasised the importance of implementing the NAP in full and addressing real grievances. Senator Faisal Vawda proposed a significant increase in defence spending and incentives for armed forces. Senator Anwaarul Haq Kakar distinguished between Indian citizens and the Hindutva ideology, blaming the RSS and BJP for promoting extremism.

The Senate session was adjourned to resume on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said Thursday the conduct and composure displayed by the Pakistani media during the recent war between India and Pakistan has “made us proud”.

Talking to a select group of media persons after a graceful investiture ceremony at the Presidency Thursday, in which President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari elevated the Army Chief to the rank of Field Marshal and handed him the coveted baton along with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the Field Marshal praised the Pakistani media for its responsible and factual reporting and commentary throughout the conflict that lasted for 18 days. “Media is our pillar [of strength]. You’ve told the world that we only tell the truth.”

Though speaking candidly, Field Marshal Munir answered a few queries from journalists, his Director General Inter Services Public Relations (DG-ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif intervened and requested that all the replies be considered “off the record” barring only one about the role of Pakistani media during the conflict.

The ceremony, attended by PMLN leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, governors, chief ministers, cabinet ministers, services chiefs, diplomats, media and selected members of the country’s who’s who, later turned into a frank and forthright conversation exercise between the invited senior military officers and media persons.

Speaking in complete confidence, senior most military leaders shared that the ceasefire was holding and India would not dare violate it. They also said that Pakistan did not talk to India on ceasefire. “We were contacted by third party interlocutors.” Military commanders also invoked examples from the earliest Islamic history when a small number of Muslims living in Medina defeated Makkan invasions by infidel forces that were many times larger. “Remember when the Muslims were ordered by Allah to throw fistful of sand towards the infidel invaders, the tiny grains fell on the enemy like missiles. It was all Allah’s doing.”

Senior military officers also praised the national unity exhibited throughout the conflict. “The political and military leadership defended the country’s sovereignty and integrity as one force and the whole nation was standing behind the government and the armed forces like a fortress.”

Conversely, the Indian media and its reporting and broadcasting role is becoming a target for international and domestic censure for “destroying our [India’s] credibility.” Writing in India for The Wire, Avay Shukla, a retired IAS officer, wrote: “The language used by these anchors in their broadcasts can only belong to the gutters where they were perhaps born.”

Criticising the mainstream four to five “rogue” channels with their “deranged, hate-filled and venomous anchors” for creating unnecessary diplomatic rows with some Muslims states, Shukla said: “The misreporting of the conflict crossed all limits of fakery, dishonesty and war mongering, studios were converted into mendacious war-rooms where all manner of fiction was concocted.”