RISALPUR: Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu said on Tuesday that the country’s armed forces remain fully prepared to counter any external aggression.
Addressing at the Pakistan Air Force Academy, Sidhu said his remarks should “put to rest all doubts” held by those questioning Pakistan’s strength or attempting to fuel internal discord. He praised the performance of all branches of the armed forces during the recent conflict, saying they fought with “courage, professionalism and unity.”
The Air Chief also paid tribute to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, crediting his strategic leadership for guiding the military through the entire Marka-e-Haq confrontation.
Sidhu said the speeches and actions of senior commanders should reassure Pakistanis that the armed forces stand ready to defend the nation’s sovereignty. He thanked the public and the country’s political leadership for supporting the military during the crisis.
He highlighted the presence of Saudi cadets at the academy, calling it a symbol of “deep friendship and cooperation” between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Addressing young cadets, Sidhu said they had been entrusted with “the sacred duty of defending the air frontiers of the motherland” and reminded them that the nation had placed its hopes on their shoulders.
The Air Chief said Pakistan’s armed forces and the public demonstrated unity in the face of a larger enemy and prevailed despite numerical disadvantages. He described the victory in the so-called Battles of Truth as a product of national cohesion, effective decision-making and “the blessings of Allah Almighty.”
Sidhu said the Pakistan Air Force upheld its legacy by shooting down the enemy’s most advanced aircraft when the country’s sovereignty came under threat. He said PAF operations remained “effective, balanced and appropriate,” with the goal of securing “peace with dignity.”
He said the conflict showcased unprecedented use of airpower integrated with advanced technologies and set a “doctrinal benchmark” for modern air warfare. He added that the PAF again demonstrated professional excellence in 2025.
Sidhu said the PAF adapted its doctrine to modern warfighting concepts while accounting for financial limitations and technological availability. He highlighted rapid modernization under the Smart Induction Program, which brought new fighter aircraft and technologies into service in record time.
He praised PAF personnel for their professionalism under pressure and noted that the air force fought alongside the army and navy with “bravery and harmony.”
Sidhu said Pakistan is a peace-loving nation that seeks friendly relations with all states, but warned that any future challenge to its sovereignty would meet a far stronger and better-prepared air force.
He said Pakistan’s ties with major global and regional powers had grown stronger, reflecting its status as a responsible nuclear state.
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The Air Chief concluded by saying the armed forces—backed by the country’s leadership and its “brave and determined people”—remain committed to defending Pakistan’s ideological, geographical and air frontiers. He said public trust in the armed forces remains “unmatched,” earned through decades of sacrifice and service.
