Reiterating commitment to defend Pakistan, Marka-i-Haq says he has renewed national pride and strengthened resolve.
Pakistan’s armed forces on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to defending the country, warning that any hostile designs would be met with greater force, precision and determination, 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.
In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that on the night of May 6-7, the armed forces, particularly the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), commemorated a decisive chapter in the country’s military history.
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“The Pakistan Armed Forces, particularly the Pakistan Air Force, proudly commemorate a decisive chapter in the nation’s military history; one that strengthened national confidence, reaffirmed institutional resolve and validated the PAF’s relentless pursuit of modernization and focused capability enhancement,” the statement said.
The ISPR said the milestone reflects the PAF’s journey towards becoming a future-ready air power by inducting cutting-edge systems and operationalizing niche technologies.
“By mastering the skillful employment of multi-domain operations, the Pakistan Air Force continues to establish itself as a capable and future-focused air power, fully prepared to defend Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of the changing nature and parameters of modern air warfare,” he added.
Describing the operations as unprecedented in scope, the statement said they underlined the PAF’s professional excellence and renewed national pride.
“The successful execution of these operations, unprecedented in scope and novel in the history of air warfare, not only underlined the professional excellence of the Pakistan Air Force but also renewed the pride, confidence and spirit of the resilient Pakistani nation,” he said.
The ISPR emphasized that Pakistan remains a peace-loving country, with its armed forces committed to stability and security.
“Pakistan is a peace-loving country and its Armed Forces embody a mature and responsible strategic culture,” the statement said, adding that all efforts are aimed at preserving peace, promoting stability and ensuring security in the region.
The statement noted that the armed forces were aware of the evolving regional geopolitical and security environment, as well as the capabilities of adversary forces, and continued to invest in advanced technologies and professional excellence to meet future challenges.
The statement reaffirmed the armed forces’ unwavering commitment to defending the country. “Any hostile plan against Pakistan will be countered with even greater strength, precision and resolve than what the adversary witnessed during Marka-e-Haq, Insha’Allah,” the statement added.
Paying tribute to the Pakistan Air Force, the ISPR said the nation recognized the professionalism and sacrifices of the force.
“Tonight the nation pays tribute to every member of the Pakistan Air Force for their professionalism, sacrifice, tireless efforts and exceptional operational approach,” he said, adding that these contributions were instrumental in the defense of the country’s airspace.
The statement concluded that the Pakistan Air Force is and will remain second to none, and a symbol of pride, strength and confidence for the nation.
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.
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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.
