ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said Pakistan would respond with “immediate, befitting and full-spectrum” force to any aggression against the country, while reaffirming the nation’s commitment to peace, sovereignty and regional stability.
In his message on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, he described the occasion as a day of gratitude to Allah Almighty for Pakistan’s success in adversity and hailed the armed forces for delivering a “crushing defeat” to the enemy through coordinated operations across land, sea, air and cyber domains.
He said the nation paid tribute to its martyrs, their families and the ghazis who defended the country “like a steel wall,” adding that the synchronised response of Pakistan’s forces had established the country as an “invincible nation”.
The prime minister said Marka-e-Haq demonstrated that Pakistan was a peace-loving but courageous and resilient nation that could neither be intimidated nor subdued by aggression. He said the operation had shattered the enemy’s “illusion of invincibility” and re-established deterrence.
Shehbaz paid tribute to Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir for his leadership, as well as to Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber and Admiral Naveed Ashraf for their strategic role. He said Pakistan had clearly manifested its desire for peace while safeguarding its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity with the support of the nation.
The prime minister also reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate terrorism, saying the country would continue efforts against “Fitna al-Khawarij” and “Fitna al-Hindustan” until their logical conclusion.
Referring to the Kashmir dispute, Shehbaz said no story of Pakistan was complete without Kashmir, calling it the unfinished agenda of the Subcontinent’s partition. He said lasting strategic stability in South Asia remained impossible without resolution of the issue in accordance with the United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Highlighting Pakistan’s international role, the prime minister said the country had emerged as a responsible state and a guarantor of global peace and stability. He said Pakistan’s mediation efforts during the ongoing US-Iran conflict had received worldwide recognition and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Concluding his message, the prime minister urged the nation to honour the sacrifices of martyrs by remaining united and working selflessly for the progress and glory of the country.
Separately, the military leadership on Saturday extended heartfelt congratulations to the nation and all ranks of the armed forces on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, describing the occasion as a symbol of courage, professionalism, unity and national resolve.
In a statement issued by the ISPR on Saturday, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu said the day was being observed with deep reverence, gratitude and national fervour, reaffirming the armed forces’ unbreakable bond with the people of Pakistan.
The armed forces stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Pakistan, reaffirming their unbreakable bond with the nation they proudly serve. To celebrate the victory of Marka-e-Haq and honour the sacrifices of martyrs and veterans, ceremonies are being held across the country. Wreaths are being laid at martyrs’ memorials while special prayers are being offered to recognise their valour and selflessness, termed the cornerstone of Pakistan’s sovereignty, security and stability.
The statement described Marka-e-Haq as a defining landmark in the country’s history, reflecting national resolve, military excellence and strategic maturity. It said the success had strengthened national confidence and established Pakistan as a responsible regional stabiliser with formidable military capabilities.
The armed forces stated that Pakistan’s measured and resolute response during Marka-e-Haq had exposed adversarial conspiracies, false flag narratives and disinformation campaigns, undermining their international credibility. Despite conventional and hybrid challenges, including proxy terrorism, the armed forces demonstrated operational superiority across land, air, sea, cyber and information domains.
The statement further said Pakistan had enhanced its defensive capabilities and reinforced full-spectrum deterrence in the aftermath of Marka-e-Haq despite resource asymmetries. It added that the operation reflected the preparedness, dedication and professionalism of the armed forces, significantly strengthening public confidence in the military.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace and regional stability, the military leadership said sustainable peace in South Asia could only be achieved through meaningful dialogue, mutual respect and adherence to international law and principles of justice.
The statement said that with the unwavering support of a resilient and united nation, Pakistan’s armed forces remained vigilant, capable and fully prepared to confront all internal and external challenges to ensure the country’s security, stability and territorial integrity. “Pakistan Hamesha Zindabad,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday paid tribute to the nation and armed forces on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, praising the military leadership for what he described as a decisive, disciplined and balanced response to external aggression.
In a statement issued by the Presidency’s Media Wing, the president termed the leadership, strategy and “courageous decisions” of Field Marshal Asim Munir instrumental in the success of the operation. He also lauded Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu and Pakistan Air Force for their “exceptional skill and professional excellence,” while commending Admiral Naveed Ashraf and the naval forces for maintaining full operational readiness and robust defence capabilities.
President Zardari said the events of April and May last year were not merely a military episode but a moment of national reckoning. “When India, under the guise of Pahalgam false flag operation, launched unprovoked strikes on our soil targeting civilian areas as well as military installations, Pakistan responded with discipline, precision courage and unity,” he said.
The president said Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, described as the decisive centrepiece of Marka-e-Haq, demonstrated the capabilities of Pakistan’s armed forces when backed by national unity. “Our response was calibrated, measured, precise and proportionate. Our message was unambiguous,” he said, adding that Marka-e-Haq showed the world that Pakistan’s deterrence rested on professional competence, tri-service coordination and the unwavering resolve of its people. Paying tribute to the armed forces and martyrs, President Zardari said every Pakistani became a soldier when war was imposed on the country. “It is part of our DNA that when a war is imposed on us, every Pakistani becomes a soldier — some in uniform and most without,” he remarked.
The president said Pakistan was now recognised globally as a state capable not only of defending itself but also of contributing to peace and stability. Referring to recent tensions in West Asia, he said Pakistan had played a key diplomatic role in facilitating a ceasefire between the United States and Iran and encouraging both sides towards negotiations. “Our efforts helped avoid further bloodshed and contributed to stabilising the broader regional environment,” he said, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to promoting peace, dialogue and stability.
On the Kashmir dispute, the president said no honest assessment of South Asia’s security challenges could ignore the issue, which he described as the root cause of regional instability.
President Zardari also criticised India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, terming it tantamount to the “weaponisation of water.” He noted that the treaty, brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, had survived wars and decades of hostility between two nuclear-armed neighbours. “It was designed to be beyond the reach of political crises,” he said, adding that India’s unilateral decision to place the agreement in abeyance lacked legal basis and threatened the livelihoods of millions. “Water is not a bargaining chip,” the president said, reiterating that Pakistan would defend its water rights with the same determination shown in defence of its territory.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s stance on terrorism, President Zardari said the country itself remained a victim of terrorism and was determined to eliminate “Fitna al-Khawarij” and “Fitna al-Hindustan” in all forms.
Also, National Assembly (NA) Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Saturday termed Marka-e-Haq a historic chapter in Pakistan’s defence history, saying the armed forces decisively responded to Indian aggression and foiled the enemy’s hostile designs during Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos.
In a statement marking the completion of one year of the operation, the speaker said the success was achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and military strategy of Field Marshal Asim Munir, with the highest level of professionalism and coordination.
He said unity between the political and military leadership brought the nation together and strengthened Pakistan’s position. He added that during the operation, Pakistan Army effectively targeted key enemy installations and neutralised advanced air defence systems, including the S-400.
The speaker praised the performance of Pakistan Air Force, saying it established Pakistan’s air superiority and filled the nation with pride. He paid tribute to Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Sidhu and PAF personnel for their role.
He also commended the Pakistan Navy, led by Admiral Naveed Ashraf, for confining the enemy to its naval bases through effective maritime strategy.
He also criticised India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, terming it “water terrorism,” and warned that Pakistan reserved the right to respond to any unlawful action. Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah said Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos reflected the professionalism of armed forces and unwavering resolve of the nation, adding that the people of Pakistan would continue to stand united in defence of the country.
