During the inauguration ceremony for the Daanish School project in Harighel, Azad Kashmir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that a newly released report had validated the accomplishments of Pakistan’s armed forces. He remarked that the document acknowledged the bravery and determination shown by Pakistani troops in defending the nation.
He noted that the US congressional report commended Pakistan’s performance in the Marka-e-Haq operation, where seven Indian aircraft were claimed to have been shot down. Shehbaz credited the achievement to the leadership of Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and praised the military for its unified and effective response.
According to the prime minister, the same report—issued by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission—also mentioned that several Indian jets, including Rafales, were downed during a four-day standoff. He said the incident later served as a major promotional advantage for Chinese defence companies.
Shehbaz emphasised that while Pakistan had demonstrated its strength on the battlefield, it now needed to secure similar progress in the economic realm. He stressed that military capability alone could not guarantee national success, and urged the country to focus on long-term economic advancement.
Reiterating Pakistan’s stance on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he assured that Islamabad would continue extending moral, political, and diplomatic support. The prime minister also highlighted that the Daanish School network—first launched in Punjab—was being expanded to Azad Kashmir, with new campuses planned in Neelum Valley and Forward Kahuta to provide fully equipped educational facilities to deserving children.
He instructed the AJK administration to strengthen governance and public service delivery, and directed the Education Department to complete the Harighel school by March 23, 2026. The event, attended by AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore and other senior leaders, also featured praise for the initiative’s potential to shape future leaders. Earlier in Islamabad, Shehbaz chaired a meeting on PIA’s privatisation, calling for transparency and faster progress while discussing plans to increase the fleet to 38 operational aircraft by 2029.
