Civilian, military leadership asserts full-spectrum response as nation marks first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq

Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership on Saturday renewed their pledge to defend the country and warned that any aggression aimed at undermining it would be met with an “immediate, appropriate and full-spectrum response” as the nation marked the first anniversary of the 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.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the martyrs and their families, saying they stood like a wall of steel in defense of the motherland.

“Marka-e-Haq is a day to bow in gratitude to Allah Almighty for His innumerable blessings upon us. Today we commemorate Pakistan’s valiant stand in the face of adversity and the crushing defeat we inflicted on the enemy,” he said.

He lauded the armed forces and said their well-coordinated and synchronized response across land, sea, air and cyber domains had established Pakistan as an invincible nation. He added that the Marka-e-Haq stood as testimony that Pakistanis were a peace-loving, yet brave, resilient and dignified nation “that can neither be intimidated nor subdued by any aggressor”.

“Marka-e-Haq is etched in history as an epic feat of achieving overwhelming dominance over an enemy bent on unprovoked aggression. The enemy was given a heavy dose of reality serum to dispel its illusion of invincibility,” the prime minister said.

Paying tribute to the Chief of Defense Staff (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, the Prime Minister lauded his leadership along with the Air Chief and Navy Chief and officers and soldiers of the armed forces who, with the support of the nation, “wrote a new chapter in the Pakistan-India context”.

“Pakistan clearly manifested its desire for peace while re-establishing deterrence and protecting its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.

“Let there be no doubt that any aggression to undermine Pakistan will be met with an immediate, appropriate and full-spectrum response,” the prime minister warned.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to defend the motherland, he said, “We remain steadfast in our efforts to root out” terrorist groups and take the fight against them to its logical conclusion.

The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to the Kashmir dispute and reiterated Islamabad’s continued support for the Kashmiri people’s fundamental right to freedom and self-determination.

“No history of Pakistan is complete without Kashmir, which remains the unfinished agenda of the partition of the subcontinent. 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,” he added.

Highlighting Pakistan’s improved international image since last year’s victory and its mediating role in the US-Iran conflict, he said the country was now recognized as a responsible state that not only knew how to defend itself but had also emerged as a contributor to global peace and stability.

“Pakistan’s pivotal role as a key mediator during the ongoing US-Iran conflict and our efforts to seek an end to the violence have earned worldwide recognition,” he said, adding that Islamabad remained committed to the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

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 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.

The military leadership also reaffirmed its commitment to protect Pakistan’s sovereignty and said the armed forces remained fully prepared to confront all internal and external challenges, calling Marka-e-Haq a crucial milestone in the country’s journey.

In a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), CDF Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Ashraf and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sidhu extended “heartfelt congratulations to the nation and all ranks of the armed forces”.

“The day stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of courage, professionalism and unity,” the statement said, adding that the armed forces stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Pakistan and reaffirmed their “unbreakable bond with the nation they proudly serve”.

The ISPR said ceremonies were held across the country to commemorate the event and honor the sacrifices of the martyrs and veterans, with wreaths being laid at memorials and prayers for the deceased.

“Marka-e-Haq has become a defining landmark in the nation’s journey, reflecting national resolve, military excellence and strategic maturity,” the statement said.

“This success not only strengthened national confidence but also established Pakistan as a responsible regional stabilizer possessing formidable military capabilities,” it added.

The military’s media wing said Pakistan’s “measured and resolute response” during the Marka-e-Haq had exposed “contrary conspiracies, false flag narratives and disinformation campaigns”.

“Marka-e-Haq has become a defining landmark in the nation’s journey, reflecting national resolve, military excellence and strategic maturity,” the statement said, adding that the success not only bolstered national confidence but also established Pakistan as a responsible regional stabilizer with formidable military capabilities.

“Despite the traditional and hybrid challenges, including proxy terrorism, the armed forces demonstrated superior operational competence across land, air, sea, cyber and information domains,” the statement said.

It added that Pakistan had further enhanced its defensive capabilities and strengthened “full-spectrum deterrence despite resource asymmetries”.

“With the unwavering support of a resilient and united nation, the armed forces remain capable, alert and fully prepared to confront all internal and external challenges and ensure Pakistan’s security, stability and territorial integrity,” the statement concluded.

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.