Rawalpindi, 13 August 2026 (APP)

The Yadgar-e-Fatah monument was inaugurated on Thursday night as part of Pakistan’s 79th Independence Anniversary celebrations, with the national leadership describing the landmark as a tribute to the country’s martyrs and a symbol of national unity, resilience and the professional excellence of the armed forces.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif jointly inaugurated the monument, which commemorates the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces and the country’s victory in the May 2025 Marka-e-Haq. Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf also attended the ceremony.

In his address, President Zardari praised the country’s political and military leadership for defending Pakistan’s interests and strengthening its diplomatic position. He highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace, cooperation among Muslim countries and stability in the region. He also reiterated Pakistan’s opposition to the violence in Gaza and its continued support for the rights of the Kashmiri and Palestinian peoples.

The president stressed that much more needed to be done for the welfare of the people and future generations. He called for national determination, better educational opportunities and greater participation by overseas Pakistanis in the country’s development. He expressed confidence that Pakistan could ultimately become a developed nation in line with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan desired peace but would never allow its commitment to peace to be interpreted as weakness. He warned that any future threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty and security would receive a strong response. He also described the May 2025 conflict as a moment that significantly enhanced Pakistan’s international standing.

The prime minister paid tribute to the armed forces, particularly the Army, Air Force and Navy, as well as the engineers, workers and other personnel who completed the monument within eight months. He said the structure represented more than bricks and mortar, describing it as a lasting tribute to the martyrs, veterans and citizens who stood together during difficult times.

The ceremony also highlighted Pakistan’s foreign-policy priorities, including support for Kashmir and Palestine, regional peace and stronger relations with friendly countries. The prime minister also urged Afghanistan to prevent its territory from being used against Pakistan and encouraged the youth to focus on modern fields such as information technology and artificial intelligence.

The monument itself carries several symbolic elements. Its five archways represent the five pillars of Islam, while its design reflects five key pillars associated with Pakistan: the government, armed forces, media, people and national ideology. It also represents the Army, Air Force and Navy, alongside emerging domains such as cyber and space defence.

The inauguration featured a national anthem, a documentary detailing the monument’s eight-month construction journey, and a spectacular light and sound presentation titled “Dastan-e-Ishq-e-Watan: Marka-e-Haq.” A Pakistan Air Force fly-past, complete with flares illuminating the night sky, added to the occasion.

The event concluded with President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir participating in the flag-hoisting ceremony, followed by fireworks and the national anthem. Overall, the inauguration presented Yadgar-e-Fatah as a permanent reminder of sacrifice, unity, national pride and Pakistan’s determination to protect its sovereignty.