Prime Minister, President Zardari and military chiefs praise the success of Marka-e-Haq and underline unity, determination and deterrence.
Pakistan’s civilian and military leaders on Saturday renewed their commitment to defending the country, warning that any aggression aimed at undermining it would be met with an “immediate, appropriate and wide-ranging response” as the nation marked the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq.
The term “Marka-e-Haq” refers to the 2025 conflict with India, which began with the Pahalgam attack on April 22 and concluded with a ceasefire on May 10 following Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister paid tribute to the martyrs and their families, saying that they stood like a steel wall in defense of the motherland.
“Marka-e-Haq is a day to bow in gratitude to Almighty Allah for his countless blessings upon us. Today we commemorate Pakistan’s brave stand in adversity and the crushing defeat we inflicted on the enemy,” he said.
Praising the armed forces, he said their well-coordinated and synchronized response in land, sea, air and cyber domains had made Pakistan an invincible nation. He added that Marka-e-Haq was a testimony that Pakistanis were a peace-loving but brave, resilient and dignified nation, “which cannot be intimidated or subdued by any aggressor.”
“Marka-e-Haq is etched in history as an epic feat of achieving overwhelming dominance over an enemy, bent on unprovoked aggression. The enemy was administered a heavy dose of reality serum to dispel his illusion of invincibility,” the prime minister said.
As the nation commemorates the glorious success of Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, we thank Almighty Allah and pay tribute to the extraordinary courage, unwavering determination and supreme sacrifices of our Armed Forces and the people of Pakistan.
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– Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 9, 2026
Paying tributes to Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, the Prime Minister praised his leadership, along with the Air Chief and Naval Chief, as well as the officers and men of the armed forces who, with the support of the nation, “inscribed a new chapter in the Pakistan-India context”.
“Pakistan clearly expressed its desire for peace, while restoring deterrence and safeguarding its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
“There can be no doubt that any aggression to undermine Pakistan will receive an immediate, appropriate and wide-ranging response,” the prime minister warned.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to defend the homeland, saying: “We remain steadfast in our efforts to eradicate” terrorist groups and take the fight against them to its logical conclusion.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to the Kashmir dispute, reiterating Islamabad’s continued support for the fundamental right of the Kashmiri people to freedom and self-determination.
“No story of Pakistan is complete without Kashmir, which remains the unfinished agenda of the partition of the subcontinent. Strategic stability in South Asia, without resolution of the Kashmir issue, would remain a distant dream that needs to be resolved in accordance with the United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Kashmir,” he added.
Highlighting Pakistan’s improved international image since last year’s victory and its mediation role in the US-Iran conflict, he said the country was now recognized as a responsible state that not only knew how to defend itself but had also emerged as a contributor to global peace and stability.
“Pakistan’s critical role as a key mediator during the ongoing US-Iran conflict and our efforts to seek an end to the violence have earned global recognition,” he said, adding that Islamabad remained committed to the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
President Asif Ali Zardari also paid tribute to the nation and the armed forces on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Office, the President said CDF Munir’s leadership, strategy and “courageous decisions” were key to the success of Marka-e-Haq.
He also praised the air chief and the Pakistan Air Force for their “exceptional skill and professionalism”.
President Zardari praised the chief and the naval forces and described their full operational readiness and defense capabilities as a source of national pride.
“Pakistan is a responsible and peace-loving state. By giving a strong but measured response to enemy aggression, we have conveyed our defensive capabilities to the world,” the president said.
He said the issue of Jammu and Kashmir should be resolved in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.
Read also: On Marka-e-Haq day, forces signal firm resolve
“Pakistan will continue to provide moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir,” he said.
Terming India’s attempt to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty as “water aggression”, he said water was a matter of life for millions of Pakistanis.
Regarding cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan, he said Kabul must ensure that its territory is not used for terrorism against Pakistan or other countries in the region.
He said terrorism backed by external support must be eliminated to achieve lasting peace in the region.
The President said Pakistan was emerging as a symbol of balance and stability in the region thanks to the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and CDF Munir.
He added that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for a peaceful resolution of the Iran-US conflict had been widely appreciated globally.
“The nation and armed forces of Pakistan are fully prepared to face all challenges and defend the homeland,” President Zardari said.
The military leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty, saying that the armed forces remained fully prepared to face all internal and external challenges, and termed Marka-e-Haq as a decisive milestone in the country’s journey.
In a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), CDF Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sidhu extended “heartfelt congratulations to the nation and all ranks of the armed forces”.
“This day is a testament to the enduring spirit of bravery, professionalism and unity,” the statement said, adding that the armed forces stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Pakistan and reaffirmed their “unbreakable bond with the nation they proudly serve.”
The ISPR said ceremonies were being held across the country to mark the occasion and honor the sacrifices of martyrs and veterans, with wreaths placed on memorials and prayers offered for the deceased.
“Marka-e-Haq has become a defining milestone in the nation’s journey, reflecting national resolve, military excellence and strategic maturity,” the statement said.
“This success not only bolstered national confidence but also established Pakistan as a responsible regional stabilizer, possessing formidable military capabilities,” he added.
The military’s media wing said Pakistan’s “measured and determined response” during Marka-e-Haq had exposed “adverse conspiracies, false flag narratives and disinformation campaigns”.
“Marka-e-Haq has become a defining milestone in the nation’s journey, reflecting national resolve, military excellence and strategic maturity,” the statement said, adding that the success not only bolstered national confidence but also established Pakistan as a responsible regional stabilizer possessing formidable military capabilities.
“Despite facing conventional and hybrid challenges, including indirect terrorism, the armed forces demonstrated superior operational proficiency in land, air, maritime, cyber and information domains,” the statement said.
He added that Pakistan had further enhanced its defensive capabilities and strengthened “full-spectrum deterrence despite resource asymmetries.”
“With the unwavering support of a resilient and united nation, the armed forces remain capable, vigilant and fully prepared to confront all internal and external challenges, ensuring the security, stability and territorial integrity of Pakistan,” the statement concluded.
Pahalgam and Marka-e-Haq attack
On April 22, 2025, escalation between Pakistan and India began when an attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident. However, Pakistan categorically rejected India’s blame.
In response, India took a series of hostile actions the next day on April 23, 2025, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), canceling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the closure of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff in each country’s embassies.
Tensions escalated further in the early hours of May 7, 2025, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children and the elderly.
In a swift military response, Pakistan’s armed forces shot down Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale jets. The standoff escalated again in the early hours of May 10, 2025, when India attacked several Pakistani air bases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, which damaged Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, air bases and other strategic targets.
On May 10, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached after intense overnight diplomatic efforts. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and India’s Foreign Minister.
