President, Prime Minister pay tribute to armed forces on first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif marked the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haqdescribing it as a defining moment of national resolve, unity and resilience, while paying tribute to the armed forces and reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to sovereignty, regional stability and peace, Radio Pakistan reported.

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 his message on the occasion of the first commemoration of Marka-e-Haq“, the president said a year ago, Pakistan was tested, and he did not hesitate, and he added that the events of April and May last year were not just a military episode; it was a moment of national reflection.

President Zardari said that when India, under the cover of False Flag Operation Pahalgam, launched unprovoked strikes on our soil, mainly targeting civilian areas besides military installations, Pakistan responded with discipline, precision, courage and unity. He said Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, the decisive centerpiece of Marka-e-Haqdemonstrated what our armed forces are capable of when the country supports them with one voice.

Read: Nation rallies together on first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq

He further added that Marka-e-Haq showed the world that Pakistan’s deterrence is not a slogan; it is based on professional competence, the coordination of the three services and the determination of a people who will not accept relentless aggression.

The President said we salute our men and women in uniform and bow our heads in honor of every martyr who gave his life so that this nation could stand. It is part of our DNA that when a war is imposed on us, every Pakistani becomes a soldier, some in uniform and most without.

President Zardari said that Pakistan today is recognized as a state that not only knows how to defend itself, but also serves as a guarantor of peace and stability.

Against the backdrop of recent tensions in West Asia, the President said Pakistan, through responsible and balanced diplomacy, had played a key role in facilitating a ceasefire between the United States and Iran and bringing both sides to the negotiating table.

He said our efforts helped prevent further bloodshed and stabilize the overall regional environment. Pakistan will continue its efforts to promote peace, dialogue and stability wherever it can make a difference.

Zardari said he would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that the conflict in Kashmir remains the root cause of instability in this region. No honest description of South Asia’s security challenges can evade this truth. The aspirations of the Kashmiri people, enshrined in United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, have not been extinguished by decades of occupation. They won’t be. Pakistan’s commitment to a just and legal resolution remains unchanged.

The President said India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty amounts to weaponization of water. The Treaty, negotiated by the World Bank and signed in 1960, has survived four wars and sixty-five years of bitter rivalry between two nuclear-armed neighbors. It was designed to be beyond the reach of political crises. India’s decision to suspend it, without any legal basis for a unilateral suspension, poses a threat to the livelihoods of millions of people. Water is not a currency. Pakistan will defend its water rights with the same determination it has demonstrated in defending its territory.

The President said we also reiterate our position on terrorism with complete clarity. Pakistan is a victim of terrorism. We remain committed to eradicating Fitna al-Khawarij And Fitna al-Hindustan in all their manifestations.

Learn more: Civilian, military leaders affirm comprehensive response to any aggression on 1st anniversary of Marka-e-Haq

President Zardari said that we have engaged with the de facto Afghan authorities seriously and we hope that the Doha commitments that Afghan territory will not be used against Pakistan or any other state will be fully respected. He made it clear that Pakistan was not seeking conflict, but would never accept brutal and coercive behavior. We are committed to sovereignty, international law and a stable region where disputes are resolved through dialogue rather than domination.

He said Marka-e-Haq is now etched in our national consciousness. It wasn’t a moment we were looking for, but one we met with everything we had. May it be erected each year as a reminder that a nation that knows its worth will always find the strength to defend it.

Likewise, Prime Minister Shehbaz, in his message on the occasion of the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haqsaid today that we commemorate Pakistan’s valiant stand in the face of adversity and the crushing defeat we inflicted on the enemy.

The Prime Minister said the nation pays tribute to its martyrs, their families and the Ghazis who stood like a wall of steel to defend their homeland. The well-coordinated and synchronized response of our forces in land, sea, air and cyber domains has made Pakistan an invincible nation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said Marka-e-Haq testifies that Pakistanis are a peace-loving yet courageous, resilient and dignified nation who cannot be intimidated or subjugated by any aggressor, and further added that Marka-e-Haq is etched in history as an epic feat of achieving crushing dominance over an enemy bent on unprovoked aggression. The enemy has been given a heavy dose of reality serum to dispel their illusion of invincibility.

The Prime Minister paid rich tribute to Chief of Defense Force and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his bold and courageous leadership. He also praised Chief of Air Staff Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf for their strategic prudence.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan had made clear its desire for peace while restoring deterrence and preserving its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and also made it clear that there should be no doubt that any aggression aimed at undermining Pakistan would be met with an immediate, appropriate and comprehensive response.

He said we were determined and vigilant to ensure security along our borders. We also remain resolute in our efforts to eliminate “Fitna al-Khawarij” and “Fitna al-Hindustan” and take the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion.

The Prime Minister said that no history of Pakistan is complete without Kashmir, which remains the unfinished agenda of the partition of the subcontinent. Without the resolution of the Kashmir issue, strategic stability in South Asia would remain a distant dream which must be resolved in accordance with the United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Also read: “The nation is united with the armed forces”

He said Pakistan would continue to uphold the fundamental right to freedom and self-determination of the Kashmiri people.

Prime Minister Shehbaz today said that 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.

He said Pakistan’s central role as a key mediator in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran and its efforts to end the violence have been recognized worldwide. Pakistan remains committed to efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Meanwhile, in a post on his X handful, said Prime Minister Shehbaz Marka-e-Haq will forever remain a symbol of national unity, resilience and our collective determination to protect Pakistan at all costs.

He said that as the nation commemorated the glorious success of Marka-e-Haq and “Operation Bunyanum Marsoos”, we thank Allah Almighty and pay tribute to the extraordinary courage, steadfast determination and supreme sacrifices of the armed forces and people of Pakistan.

The Prime Minister said that in the face of aggression, Pakistan remained united in its goals, disciplined in its action and steadfast in its faith.

He added that ‘Operation Bunyanum Marsoos’ reflected the exceptional strength, professionalism and operational excellence of our armed forces, who, under the resolute and visionary leadership of CDF Munir, defended the sovereignty and dignity of the motherland with remarkable precision, bravery and determination. His bold leadership and unwavering commitment to the defense of Pakistan inspired the nation and strengthened the resolve of our courageous armed forces at a defining moment in our history.

The Prime Minister today said that we salute our brave sons and daughters in uniform, whose sacrifices continue to strengthen the foundations of our security and freedom, and also added that a grateful nation is proud of every soldier, officer, martyr and veteran who defended the honor of Pakistan with courage and selflessness.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan remained firm in its commitment to peace, but equally steadfast in defending its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national honor against any threat.