Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday paid tribute to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for its sacrifices and services in defending the country’s aerial frontiers, as the nation observed Air Force Day.
In his message on the occasion, the prime minister said the PAF had demonstrated professionalism and operational capabilities during conflicts over the decades and had responded to challenges facing the country with courage.
This distinguished organisation has a proud history of sacrifice, valour as well as professionalism and always responded to the nation’s call with profound courage,” he said.
Recalling the 1965 war, PM Shehbaz said PAF personnel had demonstrated determination in safeguarding the country’s airspace and paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.
“In September 1965, the passion and resolve of Pakistan Air Force aviators to safeguard the aerial frontiers of Pakistan duly rendered them victorious in the vastness of skies,” he said.
The prime minister also paid tribute to fallen PAF personnel, saying their sacrifices remained a source of national pride.
Pakistan observes Air Force Day on Sept 7 every year to commemorate the PAF’s role in the 1965 war with India.
Referring to the conflict with India last year, PM Shehbaz also highlighted the PAF’s role in Marka-i-Haq, saying the force had worked in coordination with the other armed services during the confrontation.
He attributed its performance to leadership, operational planning, the skills of combat personnel and the coordinated use of multi-domain warfare capabilities developed through modernisation and indigenisation.
“In the same vein, last year in May 2025, when the aggressor once again challenged a peace-loving country, the Pakistan Air Force, in perfect synergy with sister services, defeated the adversary during Marka-i-Haq,” he said.
The prime minister said the nation was proud of the PAF for maintaining what he described as its legacy of taking on numerically superior adversaries.
Concluding his message, PM Shehbaz wished the air force continued professional progress and expressed confidence in its preparedness to defend the country’s sovereignty and aerial frontiers.
“I am sure, as always, Pakistan Air Force will rise to any possible occasion to defend sovereignty and aerial frontiers of Pakistan,” he said.
