ISPR calls trip ‘landmark’, CDF Asim Munir to lead GHQ ceremony, President, PM pay tributes
Parliament House was illuminated with green lights to mark the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq in the federal capital. PHOTO: ONLINE
RAWALPINDI:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan could neither be “intimidated nor overpowered by an aggressor” as the nation prepared to mark the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq with a high-profile ceremony at the General Headquarters (GHQ) today.
The prestigious ceremony commemorating Pakistan’s historic success at Marka-e-Haq will be held at GHQ on Sunday, with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defense Staff (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in attendance as the chief guest.
Chief of Air Staff Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf will also participate in the event.
The ceremony will begin with the laying of a wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada, where contingents of the three armed forces, in attendance, will offer a salute.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will address the gathering and deliver an important speech highlighting the importance of Marka-e-Haq and the sacrifices made for the defense of the country.
In a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military said the brief conflict demonstrated Pakistan’s measured and resolute response and “revealed contradictory plots, false flag narratives and disinformation campaigns, diminishing their credibility internationally.”
The ISPR said Marka-e-Haq is a “defining milestone” in the nation’s journey.
“Marka-i-Haq has become a defining milestone in the nation’s journey, reflecting national resolve, military excellence and strategic maturity.”
“Despite conventional and hybrid challenges, including proxy terrorism, the armed forces have demonstrated superior operational proficiency in the land, air, maritime, cyber and information domains,” the statement added.
According to ISPR, Chief of Defense Force and Chief of Army Staff Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Air Staff Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf also congratulated the nation and all ranks of the armed forces on the day.
The statement added that the anniversary is being celebrated with “deep respect, profound gratitude and national fervor,” adding that the day is a testament to the “enduring spirit of courage, professionalism and unity.”
Following Marka-e-Haq, Pakistan has strengthened its defense capabilities and full-spectrum deterrence despite a disparity in resources, the ISPR said, adding that the occasion is a testimony to the “readiness, dedication and professionalism of the army, which have decisively enhanced public confidence in its armed forces”.
“This anniversary also reaffirms Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty while promoting peace and stability in the region,” the statement said.
“Pakistan believes that lasting peace in South Asia can only be achieved through meaningful dialogue, mutual respect and respect for international law and principles of justice.”
“Peace-loving but courageous”
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 the key to the success of Marka-e-Haq.
He also praised the Air Chief and the Pakistan Air Force for their “outstanding competence and professionalism”.
President Zardari congratulated the Navy Chief and the naval forces, describing their full operational readiness and defense capabilities as a source of national pride.
“Pakistan is a responsible and peace-loving state. By providing a strong but measured response to enemy aggression, we have conveyed to the world our defensive capability,” the President said.
He added that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir must be resolved in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
“Marka-e-Haq testifies that Pakistanis are a peace-loving, yet courageous, resilient and dignified nation, which cannot be intimidated or subjugated by any aggressor,” the Prime Minister said in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Expressing gratitude to the Almighty, the Prime Minister said the day commemorates Pakistan’s “courageous stand in the face of adversity” and the “crushing defeat” inflicted on India.
“The nation pays tribute to its martyrs, their families and the Ghazis who stood like a wall of steel to defend their homeland,” the statement said.
The Prime Minister said the well-coordinated and synchronized response of the Pakistan Armed Forces in land, sea, air and cyber domains has made Pakistan an “invincible nation”.
He said Marka-e-Haq is etched in history as an “epic feat of achieving crushing dominance over an enemy, bent on unprovoked aggression”.
Prime Minister Shehbaz claimed that India had been given a “heavy dose of reality serum to dispel its illusion of invincibility”.
He said there was no doubt that any aggression aimed at undermining the country would be met with an immediate, appropriate and comprehensive response, adding that the nation “remains determined and vigilant to ensure security” along its borders.
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to Chief of Defense Force and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his bold and courageous leadership, as well as Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber and Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf for their strategic prudence, the statement added.
“We also salute the officers and soldiers of the valiant armed forces who, with the unwavering support of the Pakistani nation, have written a new chapter in the Pakistan-India context,” the Prime Minister’s Office statement said.
He said Pakistan had clearly demonstrated its desire for peace during the conflict, while restoring deterrence and preserving its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Referring to terrorism in Pakistan, the prime minister said the nation remained “resolute in its efforts to eradicate ‘Fitna al Khawarij’ and ‘Fitna al Hindustan’ and take the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion.”
On IIOJK, the Prime Minister maintained that the partition agenda remains an unfinished agenda and strategic stability in the region would remain a distant dream without resolution of the Kashmir issue.
“Strategic stability in South Asia, without the resolution of the Kashmir issue, would remain a distant dream which must be resolved in accordance with the United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Pakistan will continue to uphold the fundamental right to freedom and self-determination of the Kashmiri people,” the statement said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz added that a year later, Pakistan is recognized as a responsible nation that “not only knows how to defend itself, but has also become a guarantor of global peace and stability.”
Addressing recent efforts to end the Iran-US conflict, the prime minister said the country had gained global recognition for its role as a key mediator and its efforts to end the violence.
“Commemorating the sacrifices of our martyrs during Marka-e-Haq, let us pledge to face our adversaries like a ‘wall of steel’ and work selflessly for the glory destined for this great motherland,” the statement concluded.
