By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused India on Saturday of resorting to covert operations and proxy forces to undermine stability in Pakistan, saying New Delhi had suffered a “humiliating defeat” in last year’s military confrontation and was now pursuing indirect means of aggression.
Speaking at the passing-out parade of the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi, Sharif painted a sweeping picture of a country besieged on two fronts — by what he described as Indian-backed subversion from the east and foreign-sponsored terrorism from the west.
“Pakistan is navigating conflicts and multi-faceted security challenges, marked by a dangerous combination of international and internal threats,” Sharif told graduating naval officers. “Our eastern neighbour, having suffered a humiliating defeat in the conflict in May last year, has increasingly resorted to covert tactics and the use of proxies in an attempt to undermine the hard-earned peace and stability in our country.”
The remarks come as relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours remain deeply strained following the May 2025 military standoff. India has not publicly responded to the characterisation.
Sharif also took aim at cross-border militancy, saying Pakistan’s armed forces were simultaneously confronting “the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism emanating from our western borders” — a long-standing Pakistani reference to militant sanctuaries it alleges exist in Afghanistan.
“The entire Pakistani nation stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its brave armed forces,” he said. “The entire country remains steadfast in its iron resolve to defeat the nefarious designs of our enemies, while continuing to pursue peace, dialogue and diplomacy to address all outstanding disputes.”
Islamabad MoU and Iran ties
In remarks that cast Pakistan as a constructive regional actor, Sharif highlighted what he described as Islamabad’s mediating role in brokering an agreement between Washington and Tehran, referring to a document he called the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” between the United States and Iran.
“Pakistan stands proud as a peacemaker in the comity of nations. Pakistan’s sincere mediation efforts with the support of brotherly and friendly countries led to the historic signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, which I also had the honour of signing as a mediator,” he said.
Sharif also pointed to a recent visit by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Pakistan as evidence of Islamabad’s growing regional stature, describing it as “not only a manifestation of the strong brotherly ties between Pakistan and Iran but also an acknowledgment of Pakistan’s important role to promote peace in the region.”
He paid tribute to Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir for his “untiring efforts” in bringing parties together toward peace.
Maritime security and naval modernisation
Sharif used the occasion to underscore the strategic importance of maritime security, framing it as an increasingly non-negotiable pillar of global economic stability.
“Today, the right of free passage and freedom of navigation are no longer luxuries but have become an absolute necessity for the entire world,” he said, pledging that Islamabad would continue to build up the Pakistan Navy as “a potent and effective force” capable of “acting as a stabilising force in the wider maritime region.”
He told the graduating cohort that they were joining the navy at a moment of “profound transformation and unprecedented opportunities,” with the service integrating artificial intelligence, unmanned systems and advanced technologies to meet emerging threats.
“Calm waters do not test a sailor, nor do fair winds define a captain,” Sharif said in closing remarks to the cadets. “It is the rough seas and strong winds that test one’s mettle.”
Among the newly commissioned officers were cadets from Turkey, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Iraq, Sri Lanka and Djibouti.
Sharif arrived in Karachi earlier on Saturday and was received by Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Information Minister Ataullah Tarrar accompanied him on the visit.
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