President, PM hail PAF on Air Force Day

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday commended all ranks of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for their outstanding performance throughout the organization's professional history in separate messages issued on the occasion of Air Force Day.

In his message, Zardari appreciated all PAF personnel for their outstanding performance all along and paid tribute to Shuhada for their ultimate sacrifice. He expressed confidence that, as always, the PAF will rise to the occasion and stand ever ready to defend Pakistan's sovereignty and aerial frontiers.

"Certainly, the founding fathers of PAF laid the foundation of this elite organisation in line with Quaid's vision of an air force being second to none and developed it accordingly, pursuing excellence in all domains. We are proud that PAF has amply displayed its capability, professional prowess and dominance in aerial conflicts over decades," he added.

He said the PAF in synergy with sister services played a decisive role in Marka-e-Haq—the four-day confrontation with India in May 2025—and inflicted a crushing blow on the adversary, which stunned the entire world.

"PAF's outstanding performance was the outcome of bold leadership, tactical brilliance of combat crew, excellent planning and well-orchestrated employment of multi-domain warfare capabilities acquired in recent years on the strength of a comprehensive strategy of modernisation and indigenisation.

"I am proud that PAF once again upheld the glorious legacy of fighting valiantly, which has always been its hallmark. Undoubtedly, our heroes in blue proved through their heroism that no matter how strong and resourceful the enemy is, it can never undermine our will and resolve," he added.

In his statement, Shehbaz said the PAF has displayed its professional capability, prowess and dominance in aerial conflicts since decades and has a proud history of sacrifice, valour and professionalism.

"In September 1965, the passion and resolve of the PAF aviators to safeguard Pakistan's aerial frontiers duly rendered them victorious in the vastness of the skies.

"They laid down their precious lives for the defence of the motherland. It is certainly a national honour to pay glowing tributes to Shuhada for their supreme sacrifices," he added.

He said last year in May 2025, when the aggressor once again challenged a peace-loving country, the PAF defeated the adversary based on bold leadership, tactical brilliance of the combat crew, excellent planning and well-orchestrated employment of Multi-Domain Warfare Capabilities acquired in recent years through a comprehensive strategy of modernization and indigenization.

Air Force Day is celebrated in Pakistan as a national day on 7 September, after the annual celebration of the Defence Day. Airshows and other programmes mark the PAF's role in defending the nation in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.