Pakistan’s defense completely impregnable, says Field Marshal Munir on Marka-e-Haq anniversary

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan marks the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, commemorating a defining chapter in the country’s military and national history, with ceremonies held across Pakistan and at diplomatic missions abroad to honor the armed forces, martyrs and the national unity forged during last year’s four-day conflict with India.

The day is being observed with official messages from the country’s civil and military leadership, seminars by cultural and literary institutions, academic commemorations and events hosted by Pakistani diplomatic missions in London, Moscow and Ankara, reflecting a moment of national resilience, strategic maturity and restored deterrence.

The anniversary marks one year since the May 2025 conflict between Pakistan and India, one of the most serious military escalations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in recent decades.

Four Nights: When Pakistan Roared

The crisis began after the April 22, 2025 attack in Pahalgam, in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where gunmen killed more than two dozen tourists. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge Islamabad rejected, calling instead for an impartial and independent international investigation.

Diplomatic ties rapidly deteriorated. Borders were tightened, visas were suspended and military deployments intensified on both sides.

On the night of May 6 and 7, India launched strikes on multiple locations inside Pakistan.

Pakistani officials said the strikes hit civilian areas, including residential compounds and mosques, resulting in casualties among women and children.

Pakistan TV Digital presents "Four Nights: When Pakistan Roared," a documentary capturing untold stories from the four-day Pakistan-India conflict of May 2025, featuring first-hand accounts, behind-the-scenes moments and key developments from a defining chapter in the region’s recent history. The documentary premieres on May 10 at 4pm. Here is the trailer:

Pakistan responded with Operation Bunyan Um Marsoos, the codename for its coordinated military response involving air, land, naval, cyber and information warfare capabilities.

Pakistani officials said the operation resulted in the downing of multiple Indian fighter aircraft, including Rafale jets, and retaliatory strikes on Indian military installations. 

India later expanded the conflict through drone incursions and missile strikes on military targets before a ceasefire was reached after four days through international diplomatic intervention.

The broader conflict has since been officially framed by Pakistan as Marka-e-Haq, or the “Battle of Truth,” representing a national moment of unity, resilience and strategic clarity.

India's Indus Waters Treaty suspension constitutes hydro-terrorism: President
India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty constitutes hydro-terrorism and risks dragging the region into the kind of water war the world has seen before, Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari said on Sunday.

The president delivered the address at the Islamabad Monument during Pakistan's first observance of Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq, the national day marking one year since the 2025 military conflict with India. The government has designated May 10 as the permanent date for the commemoration.

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari addresses the nation at the Islamabad Monument during the first observance of Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq, Saturday, May 10, 2025, marking one year since the 2025 military conflict with India. (PTV News)

"Water is life for millions of our citizens," President Zardari said. He stated that India's violation of international law over the treaty endangers regional stability and demands serious global attention.
On the origins of the conflict, he said India launched airstrikes on Pakistani civilian and religious sites on the false pretext of the Pahalgam incident. He stated that Indian media ran fabricated stories to justify the campaign.

Pakistan responded under the leadership of Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. "Our military was capable of causing far more destruction to the enemy, yet our response was measured, befitting a responsible and peace-loving state," President Zardari said.

“The Pakistan Air Force downed eight Indian aircraft during the conflict,” he said. He stated how Pakistani pilots faced a numerically larger adversary and defended the country's airspace with skill and preparation. “The Pakistan Navy maintained full combat readiness throughout, compelling Indian aircraft into a defensive posture,” he said.

President Zardari said the victory reflected not just military strength but national unity. "We remain united and vigilant in our resolution, like a steel wall," he said.

On the issue of Kashmir, the president called for resolution in line with United Nations resolutions. “Indian atrocities and human rights violations had failed to break Kashmiri resistance,” he said. “Pakistan will maintain its moral, political, and diplomatic support for Kashmiri self-determination.”

The president demanded an end to Indian-sponsored terrorism channeled through Afghanistan. He also called on Kabul not to permit its soil to be used for attacks “against Pakistan or neighboring states.”

He called for an immediate end to the killing of civilians in Gaza and restated Pakistan's support for Palestinian statehood with Jerusalem as its capital.

President Zardari said Pakistan's mediation in the US-Iran standoff had drawn international recognition and helped prevent a broader regional conflict.

"Pakistan's nation and armed forces are well capable and always ready to defend our integrity and national interest," he said.

PM Sharif says Pakistan’s response forced India to seek ceasefire
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said Pakistan’s response during last year’s military conflict with India forced New Delhi to seek a ceasefire, while praising the armed forces for their role in the fighting.

He made the remarks at a ceremony at the Pakistan Monument marking the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq.

The event was attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and other military and political leaders. Before his speech, PM Sharif observed a minute of silence for those killed during the conflict. 

He rejected India’s allegations over the Pahalgam attack and said Pakistan had offered to support a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

The prime minister said the conflict escalated after India “imposed war on Pakistan,” stating that Pakistan’s military gave a “strong and historic response.” He said Pakistan’s Air Force had dominated the conflict and that India had failed to provide evidence supporting its allegations one year later. 

He also announced that May 10 would be observed annually as “Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq.”

The prime minister praised Field Marshal Asim Munir and the country’s military leadership for their role during the conflict. He also thanked allied countries for supporting Pakistan diplomatically. 

He specifically acknowledged Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. 

PM Sharif also said Pakistan continued efforts to help mediate an end to the war in the Middle East and confirmed he had been briefed on Iran’s response to a US proposal related to the conflict.

Pakistan president pays tribute to armed forces, martyrs 

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, in his message on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, paid tribute to the country's armed forces and martyrs. 

A post shared on X on Sunday by the Office of the President of Pakistan, stated: "On the first anniversary of Maarka-e-Haq, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces & martyrs, reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to defend its sovereignty, water rights and regional peace through strength, unity & responsible diplomacy."

‘Befitting and full-spectrum response’

In a message issued by Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the day as one of gratitude and remembrance.

“Marka-e-Haq is a day to bow in gratitude before Allah Almighty for His countless blessings upon us,” PM Sharif said.

He said the coordinated and synchronized military response across land, sea, air and cyber domains had established Pakistan as “an invincible nation.”

“Marka-e-Haq bears testimony that Pakistanis are a peace-loving, yet courageous, resilient, and dignified nation who can neither be intimidated nor subdued by any aggressor,” the prime minister said.

PM Sharif also praised military leadership, paying tribute to Pakistan Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf for their strategic leadership and prudence during the conflict.

He warned that any future aggression against Pakistan would be met with “an immediate, befitting and full-spectrum response.”

Pakistan’s defense impregnable, says Field Marshal Munir 

Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in his address at the one-year commemoration ceremony at GHQ Rawalpindi on Sunday said in Marka-e-Haq “Battle for Truth” and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, by the grace of Almighty Allah, Pakistan, its people, and its armed forces achieved an unparalleled victory.

He said Marka-e-Haq was a decisive battle between two ideologies, in which truth emerged victorious and falsehood suffered defeat.

Field Marshal Munir said India dreams of targeting Pakistan through military aggression and diplomatic isolation in order to alter the balance of power in the region. 

This dream is far beyond its stature and capabilities, and Pakistan will never allow it to succeed, Field Marshal Munir added.

"I pay tribute, on behalf of the entire nation and the Armed Forces of Pakistan, to all the martyrs and veterans of the Marka-e-Haq, especially the unarmed women, elderly people, and innocent children who were martyred," he said.

"We regard the sacrifice of our martyrs as a sacred trust, our strength as a responsibility, and our success as a blessing bestowed by Almighty God," Field Marshal Munir added.

He said, "The message of the people and the national leadership is clear: no compromise on national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity is acceptable."

“India suffered severe human and financial losses as a result of this war, the price of which it will continue to pay for years to come,” said Field Marshal Munir.

He said, “The Fatah missiles and the Shaheens of the Pakistan Air Force successfully struck more than 26 enemy military targets.”

“Praise be to Allah! Today, Pakistan’s defense against any external aggression is completely impregnable,” Field Marshal Munir said.

“Let the enemy understand: any future adventurism against Pakistan will have consequences that will not be limited, but extremely dangerous, far-reaching, and painful,” he said.

Field Marshal Munir said, “The wars of the present era and the future will consist of multi-domain operations involving the use of long-range weapons, drones, cyber capabilities, and artificial intelligence.”

“To align the Armed Forces of Pakistan with modern requirements, Defense Forces Headquarters has been established,” he said.

“Pakistan’s strategic mutual defense agreement with the brotherly Islamic country Saudi Arabia is a great milestone among our diplomatic achievements,” Field Marshal Munir said.

‘Line permanently drawn’

Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the anniversary represented “a defining chapter in our national history” and that the events of May 2025 had demonstrated Pakistan’s capability and restraint.

“Marka-e-Haq was not merely a military success; it was a line permanently drawn,” Asif said.

“Let there be no miscalculation: any future aggression against Pakistan will invite a response far more decisive, comprehensive, and overwhelming.”

‘Superior operational competence’

The military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, issued a joint statement from Pakistan’s top military leadership, including Field Marshal Asim Munir, Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu.

The statement described Marka-e-Haq as “a defining landmark in the nation’s journey” and said it reflected “national resolve, military excellence, and strategic maturity.”

It said Pakistan’s response had exposed adversarial “false flag narratives” and “disinformation campaigns,” while demonstrating “superior operational competence across land, air, sea, cyber, and information domains.”

‘Formidable, respected power’

Across Pakistan, commemorative events were held by government, cultural, literary and educational institutions.

At a seminar organized by Lok Virsa in Islamabad, Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said Marka-e-Haq had restored Pakistan’s dignity and projected the country internationally as a responsible and peaceful state.

“The nation stood firmly behind its armed forces,” he said, adding that efforts to create divisions between the youth and military had failed.

A separate literary seminar organized by the Pakistan Academy of Letters focused on what speakers described as the role of literature in strengthening national objectives.

Chairperson Najeeba Arif said modern wars were fought not only at borders but “across hearts, minds, and digital screens.”

She emphasized the need for a “strong and sincere national narrative” rooted in patriotism and national identity.

At the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Danyal Chaudhry said Marka-e-Haq had established Pakistan as “a formidable, respected power.”

“Marka-e-Haq was more than a military triumph, it was a victory of truth over lies and organized misinformation,” he said.

Academic institutions also joined the commemorations.

At the College of Medical Technology, PIMS in Islamabad, Principal Ayesha Isani Majeed led a ceremony attended by more than 600 students.

The event began with Quran recitation and included an ISPR documentary chronicling the events of May 2025, followed by speeches paying tribute to the armed forces, martyrs and national unity.

Majeed paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces, honoring the sacrifices of soldiers and martyrs during last year’s conflict and praising the leadership of Asim Munir. 

Addressing students at the anniversary event, she said the country’s security and sovereignty were safeguarded through the courage and professionalism of the military, and stressed that national unity remained Pakistan’s greatest strength in times of adversity.

Executive Director Rana Imran Sikander highlighted the role of the army, navy and air force, including the Pakistan Air Force’s decisive action in downing Rafale aircraft.

Tribute to Pakistan's armed forces

Pakistan’s diplomatic missions abroad also marked the anniversary, underscoring the international and diaspora dimensions of the commemorations.

The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington hosted a grand ceremony to commemorate the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq - a testament of historical significance to Pakistan’s unity, resilience, and unwavering national resolve, said a post shared on X on Saturday by the embassy.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of participants, including members of the Pakistani-American diaspora, scholars, students, business leaders, embassy officials, and media representatives, the post said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that Marka-e-Haq reaffirmed that peace in South Asia could not be built on denial, occupation or coercion. 

He said this in his remarks at the Marka-e-Haq commemoration hosted by the Pakistan Mission in collaboration with Consulate General in New York, according to a post the ambassador shared on X on Sunday.

"A just and lasting solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, remains essential for durable regional peace and stability," he stressed.

At the High Commission for Pakistan, London, Acting High Commissioner Haseeb bin Aziz paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces and praised the Pakistani diaspora in Britain for defending Pakistan’s position during the crisis.

In Moscow, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi described Pakistan’s military response as “measured, lawful, and in line with international law.”

In Ankara, Ambassador Yousaf Junaid said Pakistan had exercised “its legitimate right to self-defense with restraint and resolve” while remaining committed to dialogue and de-escalation.

Turkish lawmaker Burhan Kayatürk reiterated support for Pakistan and said strong defense capabilities remained vital to deterrence and preserving peace.

Throughout the commemorations, official statements repeatedly emphasized Pakistan’s stated commitment to peace, dialogue and regional stability, while maintaining that sovereignty and territorial integrity remain non-negotiable.

KPT organizes boat rally 

On the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, Karachi Port Trust (KPT) organized a grand boat rally to commemorate the unwavering courage, resilience, and sacrifices of the Pakistan armed forces.

A large number of boats enthusiastically participated in the event, reflecting the nation’s unity and solidarity in honoring the defenders of the motherland, said a statement issued by KPT on Sunday.

"The unparalleled bravery and steadfast response of the Pakistan armed forces against Indian aggression shall always remain etched in the nation’s memory," it said. 

"The Karachi Port Trust proudly pays tribute to the valiant soldiers whose dedication and sacrifices continue to safeguard the sovereignty and dignity of Pakistan," the statement said.

Kashmir

The anniversary also renewed Pakistan’s position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which PM Sharif described as “the unfinished agenda of the subcontinent’s partition,” calling for its peaceful resolution in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.