The response of our forces forced India to call for a ceasefire hours after the skirmish.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the armed forces for their “historic response” to India at Marka-e-Haq as the country celebrated the first anniversary of the victory on Sunday.
The Prime Minister was speaking at a Marka-e-Haq anniversary ceremony at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad in the presence of President Asif Ali Zardari, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Force Marshal Asim Munir, Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, federal ministers, foreign dignitaries and families of martyrs who lost their loved ones in Marka-e-Haq and the war on terror.
Addressing the gathering, the prime minister said that last year, India had leveled allegations against Pakistan following the “tragic” Pahalgam incident, although Islamabad had proposed an internationally transparent investigation into the matter.
Read: CDF Munir warns of future misadventure, says response would be ‘far-reaching and painful’
However, he added, the “cowardly enemy”, as in the past, imposed an unprovoked war on Pakistan, under the cover of darkness, targeting mosques, innocent children and civilians.
“Our brave forces gave a historic response to the enemy’s night attack,” he said.
“When our lion-hearted soldiers entered the battlefield and our Shaheens pounced on the enemy, the cowardly enemy was overwhelmed. Our Fatah missiles destroyed India’s air defense system,” he added.
“There was domination of our Shaheens everywhere and debris of enemy aircraft on all sides,” he said, adding that this forced India to seek a ceasefire within four hours of the skirmish.
Terming it a victory of Pakistan’s “national honour, principles and self-respect”, the prime minister declared “Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq” on May 10, which he said would be celebrated every year with patriotism and fervor without a public holiday.
Paying tribute to the martyrs, their families and the nation, Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated CDF Munir for “writing new chapters of courage” during the conflict. “History will always remember the marshal’s wise and courageous leadership with golden words,” he said.
The Prime Minister also congratulated the Air Marshal and the Pakistan Air Force, saying they had shattered the enemy’s pretensions over its air power.
Read also: President, Prime Minister pay tribute to armed forces on first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq
He also paid tribute to the Navy Chief and the Pakistan Navy, saying they had created such a deterrent that the enemy “did not dare to penetrate the maritime borders”.
Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked brotherly and friendly countries for their unwavering diplomatic support during the conflict, while especially thanking US President Donald Trump for what he described as a “historic role” in saving millions of lives in the region.
“If the flames of war between two nuclear powers had intensified further, the consequences would have been horrific,” he said, adding that President Trump was instrumental in securing a ceasefire “without missing a beat.”
The Prime Minister also thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other friendly countries for supporting Pakistan’s position.
He particularly thanked China, President Xi Jinping, Chinese leaders and the Chinese nation for providing political, diplomatic and moral support to Pakistan, saying they had respected the “right to unforgettable friendship.”
Referring to Pakistan’s recent diplomatic efforts, the Prime Minister said Islamabad was making sincere efforts for peace in Iran.
He added that Islamabad played a role in getting both sides to agree to a ceasefire and also played a key role in bringing them to the negotiating table for the first time since 1979.
He said Pakistan’s efforts towards lasting peace in the region and the world continued. “Just now, the marshal told me that Iran’s response had been received,” he said, without going into further details.
Raising his voice on behalf of the people of Gaza and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Prime Minister said Pakistan has consistently extended moral, diplomatic and political support to them at every international forum.
Learn more: Nation rallies together on first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq
He said this support would continue until the Palestinian people and the IIOJK were able to “breathe in an atmosphere of freedom.”
Referring to the losses in the war against terrorism, the Prime Minister said officers and soldiers of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies continued to sacrifice their lives in counter-terrorism operations. “Fitna al-Khawarij” And “Fitna al-Hindustan” for the defense of the homeland.
