Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday announced the entire country will annually commemorate the anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, when Pakistan’s strong response to Indian aggression forced it to seek a ceasefire.
Addressing a special ceremony marking the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad, he rejected India’s allegations about the Pahalgam incident, recalling India had been repeatedly warned against any adventurism and been offered a neutral investigation into the incident.
According to the prime minister, the situation escalated when the “cowardly enemy imposed war on Pakistan,” prompting a strong and historic response from the armed forces. “Everywhere our Shaheens dominated the skies and enemy aircraft were reduced to wreckage,” he said, adding Pakistan’s response had forced the opposing side to seek a ceasefire.
Noting that India had yet to provide any evidence of its allegations even a year after the Pahalgam incident, Sharif declared May 10 “Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq,” asserting it would be observed annually with national enthusiasm and renewed commitment.
During his address, the premier also praised Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir for his leadership role in the conflict with India. He further lauded the air force and naval chiefs for playing pivotal roles in defending the motherland.
“During Marka-e-Haq, 240 million people stood like a steel wall with their forces,” he said, expressing gratitude to friendly countries for extending support to Pakistan. He also thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Chinese President Xi Jinping for their diplomatic and political support. He reaffirmed the critical role played by U.S. President Donald Trump in helping end the war with India.
Sharif noted Pakistan was continuing to mediate between Washington and Tehran and confirmed Pakistan had received Iran’s latest response.
Golden letters
In his address, President Asif Ali Zardari recalled Pakistan’s historic response to India, declaring May 10, 2025 a “golden chapter” in Pakistan’s history. Paying rich tribute to the armed forces for giving a befitting response to India’s unprovoked aggression, he said it would be written in golden letters.”
Criticizing India’s action, Zardari said that enemy forces had attacked Pakistan’s civilian population and places of worship. “Our forces shot down eight Indian fighter jets,” he said, adding the armed forces raised the nation’s heads with pride.
Reiterating Pakistan’s stance on the longstanding issue of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the president said: “Pakistan will continue extending political, moral, and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir.”
He also referred to cross-border terrorism backed by New Delhi, stressing that “India-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan via Afghanistan must end.”
During his address, the president also condemned the ongoing atrocities of Israeli forces in Palestine and said Pakistan would continue its unconditional support to the Palestinian people.
No compromise
Separately, addressing a special ceremony marking the occasion at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Field Marshal Asim Munir warned that any future aggression against Pakistan would have “far-reaching and painful consequences.” Asserting that Pakistan, its people, and the armed forces had achieved remarkable success in Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, he said divine help had seen the enemy suffer defeat and humiliation.
He said Marka-e-Haq was a source of pride for the entire nation, adding the country’s success demonstrated its strength, unity, and resolve in the face of challenges. He noted that Marka-e-Haq was not just a war between two countries, but rather a decisive battle between “two ideologies” that had ultimately seen truth prevail.
The Army chief described the clashes from May 6-10 as an unsuccessful attempt by the enemy to test Pakistan’s national resolve and dignity. “India’s dream was to subject Pakistan to military aggression and diplomatic isolation,” he explained, adding Delhi wanted to isolate Islamabad and alter the balance of power in the region.
India’s ambitions, said the field marshal, were far beyond its stature and capabilities, adding Pakistan would never allow such dreams to materialize.
The CDF said the enemy had forgotten that Pakistan’s armed forces had never before bowed to the dominance of power and would never do so in the future. “The entire nation stood like a solid wall in the defense of the homeland,” he said, noting that when Indian missiles fell, a large number of people came out in support of the country’s defense.
He also paid tribute to the unarmed women, elderly people, and innocent children martyred during Marka-e-Haq. “Pakistan regards the sacrifices of its martyrs as a sacred trust and views its strength as a responsibility,” he said, adding the country considered its success a blessing from Allah.
He vowed zero compromise on Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity. He also said the battle was not only won on the battlefield but also at the national level across all sectors. He said the brave “Shaheens” of the Air Force set an example of the longest and most decisive war of the modern era.
“India suffered severe human and financial losses as a result of the conflict,” he said, adding the enemy would continue to pay the price of this loss in times to come. According to the COAS, Pakistan’s strategic missiles and Shaheen systems had successfully struck more than 26 enemy military targets.
“Alhamdulillah! Today, Pakistan’s defense is fully impregnable against any external aggression,” he said.
Reflecting on the past year, the CDF said Pakistan’s national prestige has grown, earning global recognition, and the country now has more friends than ever before. He highlighted the strategic mutual defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, calling it a “historic step” in advancing mutual security and diplomatic achievements. He also referred to Pakistan’s ongoing mediation efforts between Iran and the United States, saying this demonstrated effective, responsible, and neutral diplomacy on the global stage. In doing so, he said, Pakistan has earned the gratitude of both Tehran and Washington for its role in facilitating sensitive diplomatic efforts.
“Pakistan continues to strive diligently to honor the trust through sincere efforts. Both countries have placed their trust in Pakistan for this challenging task,” he added.
During his address, the Army chief alleged India is now resorting to terrorism after having ruled out conventional warfare against Pakistan. He urged Afghanistan to eliminate terrorist camps and safe havens within its territory.
Paying tribute to the bravery of Pakistani citizens, the armed forces, and law enforcement agencies, he especially commended personnel in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. “We will avenge the blood of every innocent Pakistani,” he vowed, adding Pakistan’s fight against terrorism would continue until the last terrorist is eliminated.
The Army chief also reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, pledging to continue political, diplomatic, and moral support for the Kashmiri people on all fronts.
He said present and future wars would involve multi-domain operations, incorporating long-range weapons, drones, cyber capabilities, and artificial intelligence. He said the Defense Forces Headquarters had been established to align Pakistan’s armed forces with modern operational requirements.