Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced the formation of an Army Rocket Force to oversee Pakistan’s missile program, in what is being described as a major step in strengthening the country’s strategic defence after recent tensions with India.
Speaking at the Independence Day ceremony in Islamabad, the prime minister praised Field Marshal Asim Munir and senior commanders for devising a defence strategy that he said “will echo through generations.” Calling Munir “a great son of the nation,” Mr Sharif described May 10, 2025 as the day “a new nation emerged” capable of delivering a decisive response to any adversary.
Mr Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s position as the only Islamic country with nuclear weapons and the seventh nuclear power in the world, stressing that the nation’s nuclear capability serves purely as “a defensive pillar, not a symbol of aggression.” He thanked China, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Iran for their vocal support.
The prime minister also inaugurated a digital memorial titled “Battle for Truth”, featuring five symbolic niches representing the Army, Air Force, Navy, Cyber, and Space domains as core elements of Pakistan’s defence.
He expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump for facilitating a ceasefire and urged Washington to help resolve the Kashmir dispute in line with United Nations resolutions for lasting peace in South Asia.
On the economic front, Mr Sharif highlighted reduced interest rates, lower inflation, and a rising stock market, noting that global financial institutions have acknowledged Pakistan’s recovery.
