Field Marshal Munir to lead Marka-e-Haq anniversary ceremony at GHQ

The Chief of Defense Staff (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will preside over a ceremony at the Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Sunday morning to mark the completion of one year since last year’s victory against India in May 2025.

The term “Marka-e-Haq” refers to the 2025 conflict with India, which began with the Pahalgam attack on 22 April and ended with a ceasefire on 10 May following Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.

State-run Radio Pakistan reported that CDF Munir will be the chief guest at the ceremony which will also be attended by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf.

Read: ‘No one can harm Pakistan; we are ready to respond to any aggression’: DG ISPR on Marka-e-Haq anniversary

A wreath will be laid at the martyr’s monument, followed by a salute presented by contingents from the three armed forces. CDF Munir will also deliver a speech on the occasion.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the nation and the armed forces on the anniversary of Marka-e-Haq.

According to a statement issued by the Office of the President, the President said CDF Munir’s leadership, strategy and “courageous decisions” were key to the success of Marka-e-Haq.

He also praised the air chief and the Pakistan Air Force for their “exceptional skill and professionalism”.

President Zardari praised the navy chief and the forces, describing their full operational readiness and defense capability as a source of national pride.

“Pakistan is a responsible and peace-loving state. By giving a strong but measured response to enemy aggression, we have conveyed our defensive capabilities to the world,” the president said.

He said that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir must be resolved in accordance with the UN resolutions.

Also read: On the Marka-e-Haq day, forces signal a firm resolve

“Pakistan will continue its moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people,” he said.

Terming India’s attempt to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty as “water aggression”, he said water was a matter of life for millions of Pakistanis.

Regarding cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan, he said Kabul must ensure that its territory was not used for terrorism against Pakistan or other countries in the region.

He said terrorism supported by external support must be eliminated for lasting peace in the region.

The President said that Pakistan was emerging as a symbol of balance and stability in the region due to the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and CDF Munir.

He added that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for a peaceful resolution of the Iran-US conflict had been widely appreciated at the global level.

“Pakistan’s nation and armed forces are fully prepared to face any challenge and defend the homeland,” President Zardari said.

Pahalgam attack and Marka-e-Haq

On 22 April 2025, the escalation between Pakistan and India began when an attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident. However, Pakistan categorically denied the Indian blame.

In response, India took a series of hostile actions the next day, on 23 April 2025, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), canceling visas for Pakistani nationals, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the closure of the Pakistan High Commission’s diplomatic staff in New Delhi, as well as other diplomatic embassies in Pakistan.

Tensions escalated further in the early hours of 7 May 2025 when missile attacks hit six towns in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children and the elderly.

In a swift military response, Pakistan’s armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets. The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of 10 May 2025 when India targeted several Pakistani air bases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile sites, air bases and other strategic targets.

On 10 May 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 the Indian foreign minister.