RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s military leadership will convene at General Headquarters (GHQ) on Sunday morning to mark the first anniversary of the victory in ‘Marka-i-Haq’ through a commemorative ceremony, a year after the country achieved tactical superiority over India during the four-day conflict.
The event is scheduled to start at 8:40am and will be attended by the nation’s senior armed forces commanders.
Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir will be the chief guest at the event, which will also be attended by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf.
Field Marshal Munir will address the gathering and deliver an important speech highlighting the significance of Marka-i-Haq.
A floral wreath will be laid at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada, followed by a salute presented by smartly turned-out contingents of the three armed forces.
In his message issued in connection with the Marka-i-Haq anniversary, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan could neither be “intimidated nor subdued by any aggressor”.
“Marka-i-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,” said the premier in a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The prime minister, expressing his gratitude to the Almighty, said the day commemorated Pakistan’s “valiant stand in adversity” and the “crushing defeat” inflicted upon India.
PM Shehbaz maintained that India was administered a “heavy dose of reality serum to dispel its illusion of invincibility”.
The premier also paid tribute to Field Marshal Munir for his bold and courageous leadership as well as Air Chief Marshal Sidhu and Navy Chief Admiral Ashraf for their strategic prudence.
“We also salute the officers and soldiers of the valiant armed forces, who, with unflinching support of the Pakistani nation, inscribed a new chapter in the Pakistan-India context,” he added.
‘National reckoning’
In a statement related to the event, President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan was recognised as a state that not only knew how to defend itself but also served as a guarantor of peace and stability.
“One year ago, Pakistan was put to the test, and it did not blink. The events of April and May last year were not simply a military episode. They were a moment of national reckoning,” he added.
“Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, the decisive centrepiece of Marka-i-Haq, demonstrated what our armed forces are capable of when the country stands behind them as one. Our response was calibrated, measured, precise and proportionate. Our message was unambiguous.”
He further said Marka-i-Haq showed the world that Pakistan’s deterrence was not a slogan. “It rests on professional competence, tri-service coordination and the resolve of a people who shall not accept aggression lying down,” he added.
‘Defining landmark’
In their messages, Field Marshal Munir, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu and Naval Chief Admiral Ashraf congratulated the nation and officers and personnel of the armed forces on completion of one year since the success of Marka-i-Haq.
“Observed with deep reverence, gratitude, and national fervour, the day stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of courage, professionalism, and unity,” a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted them as saying.
“Marka-i-Haq has become a defining landmark in the nation’s journey, reflecting national resolve, military excellence, and strategic maturity. This success not only bolstered national confidence but also established Pakistan as a responsible regional stabiliser, possessing formidable military capabilities,” it stated.
The statement added that Pakistan’s measured and resolute response during Marka-i-Haq “exposed adversarial conspiracies, false flag narratives and disinformation campaigns, diminishing their credibility internationally”.
“Despite facing conventional and hybrid challenges, including proxy terrorism, the armed forces demonstrated superior operational competence across land, air, sea, cyber, and information domains,” it continued.
It further read that in the aftermath of Marka-i-Haq, Pakistan had “further enhanced its defensive capabilities and reinforced full-spectrum deterrence despite resource asymmetries”.
Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
