Reiterate commitment to defend Pakistan, says Marka-i-Haq has renewed national pride and strengthened resolve
Pakistan’s armed forces on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to defend the country and warned that any hostile designs would be met with greater force, precision and determination as the nation marked the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq.
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.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that on the night of May 6-7, the armed forces, especially the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), celebrated a decisive chapter in the country’s military history.
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“The Pakistan Armed Forces, particularly the Pakistan Air Force, is proudly celebrating a defining chapter in the nation’s military history; a chapter that strengthened national confidence, reaffirmed institutional resolve and validated the PAF’s relentless pursuit of modernization and focused capability enhancement,” the statement said.
ISPR said the milestone reflected PAF’s journey towards becoming a future-ready air force through induction of advanced systems and operationalization of niche technologies.
“By mastering the skillful employment of multi-domain operations, the Pakistan Air Force continues to consolidate itself into a future-focused and capable air force, fully prepared to uphold Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of the evolving nature and parameters of modern air warfare,” it added.
Describing the operations as unprecedented in scale, the statement said they underscored the PAF’s professional excellence and renewed national pride.
“The successful conduct of these operations, unprecedented in scale and new in the history of aerial warfare, not only underscored the professional excellence of the Pakistan Air Force but also renewed the pride, confidence and spirit of the resilient Pakistani nation,” it said.
The ISPR stressed that Pakistan remained a peace-loving country, with its armed forces committed to stability and security.
“Pakistan is a peace-loving country and its armed forces embody a mature and responsible strategic culture,” the statement said, adding that all efforts were aimed at maintaining peace, promoting stability and ensuring security in the region.
The statement noted that the armed forces were aware of the evolving geopolitical and regional security environment, as well as the capabilities of the resistance forces, and continued to invest in advanced technologies and professional expertise to meet future challenges.
The declaration reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the armed forces to defend the country. “Any hostile design against Pakistan will be met with even greater force, precision and determination far stronger than what was witnessed by the adversary during Marka-e-Haq, Insha’Allah,” the statement added.
Paying tribute to the Pakistan Air Force, the ISPR said the nation recognized the force’s professionalism and sacrifices.
“Tonight, the nation pays tribute to every member of the Pakistan Air Force for their professionalism, sacrifice, tireless efforts and extraordinary operational focus,” it said, adding that these contributions were vital to the defense of the country’s airspace.
The statement concluded that the Pakistan Air Force is and will remain second to none and a symbol of pride, strength and confidence for the nation.
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.
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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.
