The Yadgar-e-Fatah monument in Islamabad was inaugurated on Aug. 13 by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on the eve of Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day.
The monument in H-8 was built to honor Pakistan’s martyrs and commemorate the Marka-e-Haq victory over India in May 2025 in the four-day conflict.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, foreign diplomats, military attaches, senior officers and government officials.
The ceremony included the national anthem, a guard of honor and a light and sound presentation projected onto the monument. Pakistan Air Force fighter jets later conducted a flypast and deployed flares over the site. The inauguration ceremony included visual references to the conflict and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.
Key Features of Yadgar-e-Fatah
The monument was developed under the Frontier Works Organization (FWO), with engineers, architects, technical specialists, skilled craftsmen and labor teams involved in its construction. Project information describes the structure as a combination of large-scale engineering, marble craftsmanship and architectural design.
- Location: H-8, Islamabad
- Size: Approximately 150 feet wide and 80 feet high
- Pakistan flag: A 222-foot-high flag stands in front of the monument
- Construction period: Completed in eight months
- Architecture: Five main archways form the central structure
- Marble work: Engravings reach approximately 10 inches in depth
- Marble pieces: Individual pieces weighing up to 700 kilograms were installed on site
- Architectural inspiration: The marble draws inspiration from the Holy Mosque in Makkah, while the arches take inspiration from Al-Masjid an-Nabawi ﷺ in Madinah
- Permanent projection show: A 3D illumination projection mapping show is planned for public viewing every weekend
According to the project description, the five archways represent the five pillars of Islam as well as five elements associated with Pakistan: the government, military, media, people and national ideology. Additionally, they represent the three branches of the military — the Army, the Air Force and the Navy as well as cyber defence and space warfare.
Monument Built in Eight Months
Prime Minister Shehbaz said the monument’s completion in eight months reflected the work of its architects, engineers and construction teams. He also credited Field Marshal Asim Munir for his involvement in the project.
“This is not just a monument of blocks, but a tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to defend the nation,” the prime minister said.
The FWO-led project involved engineering, fabrication, marble handling, installation, carving, finishing and other construction work. The use of marble pieces weighing as much as 700 kilograms and deep engraving added to the technical requirements of the project.
Light and Sound Show to Continue on Weekends
The inauguration included a 3D projection mapping presentation produced by 3D Illumination.
The system maps digital content to the monument’s physical architecture, including its five arches, columns, edges, friezes and recessed sections. This allows projected images and animations to follow the structure of the monument.
The presentation included sequences covering Pakistan’s history and military history leading up to Marka-e-Haq. It also featured imagery from the May 2026 conflict, including a sequence showing villagers and Punjab Rangers responding to Indian drones.
The projection show is intended to continue after the Independence Day celebrations. According to the project information, it will run every weekend and be open to the public.
قوم ملک سلطنت۔۔۔ پاکستان کی کہانی۔ جو مکمل نہیں ہے کیونکہ ابھی اس کی اگلی منزلیں، اتحاد اجتماعی قوت اور ترقی کے سفر باقی ہیں۔ شاندار دستاویزی فلم قوم ملک سلطنت ایک ایسی کہانی جو جاری و ساری ہے۔#FreedomWithPride2026 pic.twitter.com/iOJuwbxVJt
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) August 13, 2026
Leadership Speeches focus on Security and Peace
Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz said Yadgar-e-Fatah represented Pakistan’s resolve and the sacrifices of its armed forces. “Yadgar-e-Fatah symbolises our resolve and determination and the domination of our armed forces over the enemy,” he said.
The prime minister also said Pakistan wanted peace and that its preference for peace should not be interpreted as weakness. “With dignity and determination, we are resolute for peace,” he said.
Referring to the Indus Waters Treaty, Shehbaz said, “I warn that every drop of water is our red line.” He also called for greater investment in technology and human resources, saying Pakistan needed to create opportunities for younger generations and ensure development across all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
President Zardari said Pakistan’s armed forces and the nation had responded to India under Field Marshal Asim Munir’s leadership during the previous year’s conflict. “We are not a small country for you to play with,” he said.
Zardari said the monument represented national unity, the strength of the armed forces and the sacrifices made in the country’s history. He also called for continued work by the current and future generations to strengthen Pakistan.
The ceremony concluded with a fireworks display over Islamabad as the country began celebrations for its 79th Independence Day on Aug. 14.
اسلام آباد میں یادگار فتح کا شاندار افتتاح
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) August 13, 2026
تقریب میں آتش بازی کا شاندار مظاہرہ کیاگیا#FreedomWithPride2026 pic.twitter.com/Q2m1Rr1dn7