Pakistan marked its 80th Independence Day with a series of sharp remarks directed at India. Both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif used the national occasion to address long-standing tensions and recent military friction.

Religious Identity and the 'Akhand Bharat' Claim

President Zardari claimed that Indians "believe in Akhand Bharat". He argued that Pakistan’s religious minorities prefer to stay where they are, asserting that the country’s 4% Hindu population "would rather be with us than India" because they are "as free as anywhere else". He added that while Pakistanis are Muslims, they possess a "mindset that tolerates".

Water Disputes and Border Tensions

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took a firmer tone regarding resources and security. Following last year's "Operation Sindoor"—an Indian strike against terror infrastructure—Sharif warned that Pakistan’s desire for peace "should not be taken as weakness". He specifically labelled the Indus Waters Treaty a "red line," accusing New Delhi of "unilaterally and illegally suspending" the agreement. “I declare in clear words that every single drop of Pakistan's water is our red line,” he said.

Sharif also raised the Kashmir issue and thanked US President Donald Trump for his role in “securing a ceasefire,” though India has categorically rejected any claim of third-party mediation. Meanwhile, Zardari praised the military for giving a “befitting answer to India” during the 2025 conflict.