Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday underscored Pakistan’s strides as a net regional stabiliser contributing to peace and stability in the region and beyond, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The prime minister made the remarks during his address to faculty members and student officers at the Command and Staff College in Quetta on Tuesday.

“The prime minister underscored the importance of military diplomacy and cooperation and the strides made by Pakistan as Net Regional Stabiliser to contribute towards peace, stability and progression in the region and beyond,” said the PMO statement.

PM Shehbaz, referring to Marka-i-Haq, also paid tribute to the Pakistan Armed Forces’ historic victory under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

“The enemy falsely perceived itself as stronger than Pakistan. They rejected our sincere offer of dialogue to resolve differences and remove misunderstandings; instead, they chose the path of provocation, violence, and aggression. India did not recognise that Pakistan’s peace offer was never its weakness; it was, in fact, our strength,” said the prime minister during his speech at the military institution, which was broadcast on TV.

Meanwhile, the statement issued by the PMO added that the premier highlighted Pakistan’s responsible conduct and escalation control against India’s unprovoked hubristic aggression, stating that Pakistan’s mature, prudent and just stance was also acknowledged by the international community.

“On the diplomatic front, Pakistan’s narrative was fully vindicated and that of our enemy was debunked and dismissed completely,” the prime minister said.

PM Shehbaz also reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve “to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity against any misadventure at all costs”.

According to the PMO, the premier stated that Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq was continuing with “full resolve” to defend the lives and property of innocent citizens against Afghan-based terrorist proxies, and to inflict punishment on terrorist hideouts and support infrastructure.

“The Afghan government must take meaningful and credible actions against Islamic State Khorasan Province, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, and Balochistan Liberation Army, who use Afghan soil to attack Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz said during his speech to military officers.

During his visit, PM Shehbaz also acknowledged the presence of students from friendly countries at the war college.

He lauded the professionalism, operational preparedness, and sacrifices of the Pakistan armed forces in safeguarding national sovereignty and ensuring peace and stability, the PMO added.

The statement further said that the premier also paid rich tribute to the martyrs and to the unwavering commitment of the armed forces in defence of the motherland.

Speaking on Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of occupied Kashmir and Palestine, the premier said that Islamabad has “consistently advocated the right of the Palestinian people, who have been facing illegal Israeli occupation as well as its brutal oppression”.

“A just and legitimate resolution of the Palestinian issue is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with the UN Charter,” he maintained.

PM chairs Apex Committee meeting

PM Shehbaz also chaired a meeting of the provincial Apex Committee of the National Action Plan in Quetta, where he directed the deployment of the Frontier Corps (FC) in Balochistan’s Rakhsan division, the PMO said in a statement.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on the security situation in Balochistan, progress on development projects, planning matters, and other issues.

“The prime minister directed the deployment of the FC in Balochistan’s Rakhshan Division,” the PMO said.

Speaking on the matter, the prime minister said the move would establish a security corridor for the protection of mineral resources in Balochistan, according to the statement.

“The security corridor would include additional wings of the FC, security check-posts on highways, a surveillance grid, border posts, and other measures.”

The premier further said Pakistan was rich in natural resources, especially minerals.

He said providing a secure environment in Balochistan was essential to maintaining the confidence of local and international companies working on mineral-related projects in the country.

The prime minister also appreciated the Balochistan government’s efforts to maintain transparency and merit in appointments within the district administration, the PMO said.

Shehbaz added that modern technology and high-quality training for police and other forces were essential for the complete elimination of terrorism.

“The government of Pakistan is taking various measures to effectively integrate, empower, and engage the youth of Balochistan in positive activities. These measures include increasing educational opportunities, technical and vocational training, provision of employment opportunities, promotion of sports and youth programmes, scholarships, digital skills training, and inclusion of youth in the decision-making process,” the PMO quoted PM Shehbaz as saying.

“Special attention is being given to development projects in the infrastructure, education, health, and communications sectors in Balochistan so that youth can be provided with better facilities and equal opportunities for development. The government is also striving to provide youth with opportunities to play an active role in national development through constructive engagement and effective inclusion,” the prime minister said.

The briefing to Shehbaz stated that all institutions were actively working towards the complete elimination of terrorism. Work was ongoing on youth skills programmes and other welfare projects for young people in Balochistan. It was also noted that not a single polio case had been reported since November 2024.

According to the PMO, the briefing further stated that several healthcare projects, including a cancer institute, dialysis centre, trauma centre, and other similar facilities, had become operational, while work on additional projects was underway.

It added that 99 per cent of schools in Balochistan were currently open and educational activities were continuing. More than 15,000 homes in Balochistan had benefited from the solar energy project, resulting in savings of approximately Rs105 billion so far.

The meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Sarfraz Bugti, federal ministers Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Mohsin Naqvi, Attaullah Tarar, Khalid Magsi, Jam Kamal Khan, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, and senior officials of relevant institutions.