Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that India, having suffered a humiliating setback at Pakistan’s hands last year, has increasingly resorted to covert tactics and the use of proxies to undermine the country’s hard-earned peace and stability.

Addressing the passing out parade of the 125th Midshipmen and 33rd Short Service Commission course at Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi, the prime minister also said Pakistan’s armed forces, backed by the entire nation, continue to confront foreign-sponsored terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.

PM Shehbaz said Pakistan today stands as a peacemaker on the world stage, with its mediation efforts, supported by brotherly countries, having led to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran.

He paid special tribute to the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his untiring efforts to “bring all parties together to follow the path of peace and tranquility”.

He added that the recent visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Pakistan was a testament to strong bilateral ties and Iran’s acknowledgement of Pakistan’s regional role.

The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the causes of the Kashmiri and Palestinian peoples, and underscored the government’s resolve to strengthen the Navy as a potent force capable of ensuring national defence and acting as a stabilising presence in the wider maritime region.

He paid tribute to the Navy for its performance during Marka-e-Haq last year, when it successfully deterred and denied access to a numerically superior adversary throughout the conflict.

He also commended the successful conduct of Operation Mahafizul Behr, which ensured uninterrupted energy supplies to Pakistani ports amid a challenging regional security environment.

PM Shehbaz urged the graduating cadets to uphold the legacy of naval heroes, including Commodore SM Anwar, Commander Zafar Muhammad Khan, and Vice Admiral Ahmed Tasneem.

He also expressed delight at the presence of cadets from Turkiye, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Iraq, Sri Lanka, and Djibouti, expressing hope that their time at the academy would serve as a lasting bond between their nations and Pakistan.