PM Shehbaz lauds armed forces for 'historic response' to India on first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq

Says our forces' response forced India to seek ceasefire within hours of the skirmish

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the armed forces for their “historic response” to India in Marka-e-Haq as the nation marked the first anniversary of the victory on Sunday.

The prime minister was addressing a Marka-e-Haq anniversary ceremony at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, federal ministers, foreign dignitaries and families of martyrs who lost their loved ones in Marka-e-Haq and the war against terrorism.

Addressing the gathering, the premier said that last year India had levelled allegations against Pakistan following the “tragic” Pahalgam incident despite Islamabad offering an internationally transparent investigation into the matter.

Read: CDF Munir warns against any future misadventure, says response would be ‘far-reaching and painful’

However, he said, the “cowardly enemy”, as in the past, imposed an unprovoked war on Pakistan under the cover of darkness by targeting mosques, innocent children and civilians.

“Our brave forces gave a historic response to the enemy’s nighttime attack,” he said.

“When our lionhearted soldiers entered the battlefield, and our Shaheens swooped down on the enemy, the cowardly enemy was overwhelmed. Our Fatah missiles destroyed India’s air defence system,” he added.

“There was dominance of our Shaheens everywhere and wreckage of enemy aircraft on every side,” he said, adding that this forced India to seek a ceasefire within four hours of the skirmish.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf attend the Marka-e-Haq first anniversary ceremony at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad. Photo: PID

Calling it a victory of Pakistan’s “national honour, principles and self-respect”, the premier declared May 10 as “Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq”, which, he said, would be observed every year with patriotism and fervour without a public holiday.

Paying tribute to the martyrs, their families and the nation, PM Shehbaz praised CDF Munir for “writing new chapters of courage” during the conflict. “History will always remember the wise and courageous leadership of the field marshal in golden words,” he said.

The premier also praised the air chief marshal and the Pakistan Air Force, saying they had shattered the enemy’s claims regarding its air power.

Also Read: President, PM pay tribute to armed forces on Marka-e-Haq's first anniversary

He also paid tribute to the naval chief and the Pakistan Navy, saying they created such deterrence that the enemy “did not dare enter maritime boundaries”.

PM Shehbaz thanked brotherly and friendly countries for their unwavering diplomatic support during the conflict, while especially thanking US President Donald Trump for what he described as a “historic role” in saving millions of lives in the region.

“If the flames of war between two nuclear powers had intensified further, the consequences would have been horrific,” he said, adding that President Trump played a decisive role in securing a ceasefire “without wasting a moment”.

The premier also thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other friendly countries for supporting Pakistan’s position.

He particularly thanked China, President Xi Jinping, the Chinese leadership and the Chinese nation for extending political, diplomatic and moral support to Pakistan, saying they had fulfilled the “right of unforgettable friendship”.

Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf stand in honour of the national anthem during the Marka-e-Haq first anniversary ceremony at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad. Photo: PID

Referring to Pakistan’s recent diplomatic efforts, the prime minister said Islamabad was making sincere efforts for peace in Iran.

He added that Islamabad had played a role in getting both sides to agree to a ceasefire and had also played a key role in bringing them to the negotiating table for the first time since 1979.

He said Pakistan’s efforts for lasting peace in the region and the world were continuing. “Just now the field marshal was telling me that Iran’s response has been received,” he said, without going into further details.

Raising his voice for the people of Gaza and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the premier said Pakistan had consistently extended moral, diplomatic and political support to them at every international forum.

Read More: Nation rallies behind forces on Marka-e-Haq first anniversary

He said this support would continue until the people of Palestine and IIOJK were able to “breathe in an atmosphere of freedom”.

Referring to losses in the war against terrorism, the prime minister said officers and soldiers of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies were continuing to sacrifice their lives in operations against “Fitna al-Khawarij” and “Fitna al-Hindustan” for the defence of the homeland.