ISPR terms ‘defining landmark’ trip, CDF Asim Munir to lead GHQ ceremony, President, PM pay tribute
Parliament House has been green lighted to mark the one year anniversary of Marka-e-Haq in the federal capital. PHOTO: ONLINE
RAWALPINDI:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan can neither be “intimidated nor suppressed by any aggressor” as the nation prepares to mark the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq today with a high-profile ceremony at the Headquarters (GHQ).
The prestigious ceremony commemorating Pakistan’s historic success in Marka-e-Haq will be held on Sunday at GHQ, with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defense Staff (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir participating as the chief guest.
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf will also attend the event.
The ceremony begins with the laying of a wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada where smartly attended contingents of the three armed forces will present 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 released by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military said the brief conflict demonstrated Pakistan’s measured and resolute response and “exposed adversarial conspiracies, false flag narratives and disinformation campaigns, diminishing their credibility internationally”.
The ISPR said the Marka-e-Haq is a “defining landmark” in the nation’s journey.
“Marka-i-Haq has become a defining landmark in the nation’s journey, reflecting national resolve, military excellence and strategic maturity.”
“Despite facing conventional and hybrid challenges, including proxy terrorism, the armed forces demonstrated superior operational competence across land, air, sea, cyber and information domains,” the statement added.
According to ISPR, Chief of Defense and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Air Staff Air 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 observed with “deep reverence, gratitude and national fervor”, adding that the day stands as a testament to the “enduring spirit of courage, professionalism and unity”.
In the wake of Marka-e-Haq, Pakistan strengthened its defense capabilities and strengthened full-spectrum deterrence despite a disparity in resources, the ISPR stated, adding that the occasion is a testament to the military’s “readiness, dedication and professionalism, which decisively strengthened public confidence in its armed forces”.
“The anniversary also reaffirms Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to protecting its sovereignty while promoting peace and stability in the region,” the statement read.
“Pakistan believes that sustainable peace in South Asia can only be achieved through meaningful dialogue, mutual respect and adherence to international law and principles of justice.”
‘Peace-loving and yet brave’
President Asif Ali Zardari also 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 lauded the navy chief and naval forces and described 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 added that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir must be resolved in accordance with the UN resolutions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
“Marka-e-Haq bears witness that Pakistanis are a peace-loving yet brave, resilient and dignified nation that cannot be intimidated or oppressed 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 “brave 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 Pakistan’s armed forces across land, sea, air and cyber domains established Pakistan as an “invincible nation”.
He said Marka-e-Haq is etched in history as an “epic feat of achieving overwhelming dominance over an enemy bent on unprovoked aggression”.
Prime Minister Shehbaz maintained that India was administered a “heavy dose of reality serum to dispel its illusion of invincibility”.
He maintained that there should be no doubt that any aggression aimed at undermining the country would be met with an immediate, appropriate and full-spectrum response, adding that the nation “stands resolute and vigilant to ensure security” along its borders.
The premier also paid tribute to the Chief of Defense and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his bold and courageous leadership and to Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf for their strategic prudence, the statement added.
“We also pay tribute to the officers and soldiers of the valiant armed forces who, with the unwavering support of the Pakistani nation, inscribed a new chapter in the Pakistan-India context,” the PMO statement said.
He maintained that Pakistan clearly demonstrated its desire for peace during the conflict while re-establishing deterrence and protecting its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Referring to terrorism in Pakistan, the prime minister said the nation remains “steadfast in our efforts to eradicate ‘Fitna al Khawarij’ and ‘Fitna al Hindustan’ and take the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion”.
At the IIOJK, the Prime Minister maintained that it remains an unfinished agenda for partition and that strategic stability in the region would remain a distant dream without a solution to 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 UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Pakistan will continue to stand by the fundamental right to freedom and self-determination of the Kashmiri people,” the statement said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz further said that a year on, Pakistan is recognized as a responsible nation that “not only knows how to defend itself but has also emerged as a guarantor of global peace and stability”.
Regarding recent efforts to end the Iran-US conflict, the prime minister said the country had gained worldwide recognition for its role as a key mediator and its efforts to stop the violence.
“In remembrance of the sacrifices of our martyrs during Marka-e-Haq, let us pledge to face our adversaries as a ‘wall of steel’ and work selflessly for the destined glory of this great motherland,” the statement concluded.
