CDF warns enemy of painful consequences

The civil-military leadership on Sunday praised the Pakistan Armed Forces’ crushing response to India during Marka-e-Haq last year and warned the enemy of extremely dangerous, far-reaching and painful consequences for any future misadventure.

Addressing a solemn ceremony to commemorate the completion of one year of Pakistan’s landmark victory in Marka-e-Haq at the GHQ in Rawalpindi, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said Pakistan’s defence remained completely impregnable against any external aggression.

At a special ceremony held at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised that Pakistan’s calibrated yet befitting response to India’s unprovoked aggression in May last year had become a defining chapter in world history.

The term “Marka-e-Haq” refers to the 2025 conflict with India that followed the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The confrontation escalated after Indian strikes targeted civilian areas inside Pakistan on the night between May 6 and 7.

Pakistan responded by downing eight Indian warplanes in what was described as one of the largest beyond-visual-range air battles since World War II. A ceasefire was announced on May 10 after Pakistan struck 26 military targets inside India under Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.

The nation marked 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 honour the armed forces, martyrs and the national unity forged during the four-day conflict.

Addressing the ceremony at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Field Marshal Asim Munir warned the enemy that any future misadventure against Pakistan would have extremely dangerous, far-reaching and painful consequences.

“Marka-e-Haq was a decisive battle between two ideologies in which truth prevailed and falsehood faced defeat,” he said, adding that Pakistan, its people and the armed forces achieved unprecedented success by the grace of Allah.

“India dreams of targeting Pakistan through military aggression and diplomatic isolation. This dream is far beyond its capability and Pakistan will never allow it to succeed,” he said, stressing that the country would never allow any attempt to alter the balance of power in the region.

“The message from the people and national leadership is that no compromise will be made on national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity. Pakistan’s defence is completely impregnable against any external aggression,” he added.

Speaking about Marka-e-Haq, the army chief said India suffered heavy human and material losses in the conflict, consequences it would continue to bear for years to come. “Our Fatah missiles and the Shaheens of the Pakistan Air Force successfully targeted more than 26 enemy military installations,” he said.

Paying tribute to all martyrs and veterans of Marka-e-Haq, especially unarmed women, elderly people and innocent children who embraced martyrdom, he said the entire nation and the armed forces saluted their sacrifices with profound respect.

Field Marshal Asim Munir also praised the media, journalists and particularly the youth of Pakistan for countering enemy propaganda, cyberwarfare and psychological operations during Marka-e-Haq in an “unparalleled manner”.

He said that modern and future wars would involve multi-domain operations using long-range weapons, drones, cyber capabilities and artificial intelligence. For that he added that a Defence Forces Headquarters had been established to align Pakistan’s armed forces with modern warfare requirements.

Having realised that conventional war against Pakistan was not possible, India was once again resorting to terrorism, Field Marshal Asim said. He urged Afghanistan to eliminate terrorist centres and sanctuaries operating from its soil.

He paid tribute to the brave people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, as well as the armed forces and law-enforcement personnel, for their courage and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. “The war against terrorism will continue until the elimination of the last terrorist,” he said.

He also reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue extending political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on every front. He said Pakistan’s green crescent flag symbolised hope, while its armed forces remained organised and fully prepared at every moment.

The army chief noted that Pakistan’s leadership and representatives had effectively conveyed the country’s position on the global stage, achieving significant diplomatic gains. He described Pakistan’s strategic mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia as a major milestone.

He also referred to historic peace negotiations in Islamabad between the United States and Iran facilitated through Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts. He said Pakistan, through effective, responsible and non-aligned diplomacy, was hosting historic peace negotiations known as the “Islamabad Talks”.

He said the Pakistani nation was the country’s strength and the armed forces were the strength of the nation. “Whenever truth and falsehood confront each other, victory is always destined for truth. Pakistan was invincible in the past and, God willing, will remain invincible in the years ahead as well,” he said.

At the outset, CDF Munir laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada and offered Fateha for the martyrs. Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf also laid floral wreaths at Yadgar-e-Shuhada and offered Fateha.

Separately, a special anniversary ceremony was held at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad, which was addressed by President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. At the outset, contingents of the three armed forces presented march-past, while a one-minute silence was observed in memory of the martyrs.

Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz announced that May 10 would be celebrated as Marka-e-Haq Day every year to commemorate Pakistan’s landmark victory against unprovoked Indian aggression. “Our brave armed forces gave a historic response to the enemy that it will remember forever,” he said.

The prime minister said India used the Pahalgam incident as a pretext to level a barrage of allegations against Pakistan, but “we exercised restraint”. However, he added, “the coward enemy, as always, imposed war by targeting our mosques, innocent children and civilians under the cover of darkness”.

Highlighting Pakistan’s military success, the prime minister said Pakistan’s Fatah missiles destroyed the enemy’s defence system, while the Shaheens of the Pakistan Air Force dominated the skies. He said India was ultimately forced to agree to a ceasefire within just four hours of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.

The prime minister saluted the entire nation, which demonstrated matchless faith, unity and discipline. “There is no doubt that Operation Bunyanum Marsoos is not just a historic victory, but also a glowing triumph of our national honour, principles and self-respect,” he said.

Shehbaz Sharif commended Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, saying history would always remember his sagacious and courageous leadership. He also lauded Air Chief Marshal Sidhu and Admiral Naveed Ashraf for inflicting heavy losses on India.

He expressed gratitude to brotherly and friendly countries that fully supported Pakistan on the diplomatic front during the conflict. He particularly thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the leadership of China.

Prime Minister Shehbaz especially applauded US President Donald Trump for his timely intervention to stop the war between the two nuclear-armed nations. “President Trump played a historic role in promoting peace in the region and saved millions of lives,” he said.

Commenting on Pakistan’s role in resolving crises in the region, he said Pakistan was making every possible effort to establish peace in Iran. He assured that Pakistan would continue supporting the Palestinians and the unarmed people of IIOJK until they achieved freedom.

Shehbaz said officers and soldiers of Pakistan’s armed forces were sacrificing their lives in operations against Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan. He expressed the resolve that the armed forces would defeat terrorism and eliminate it permanently.

Addressing the ceremony later, President Zardari said the people and armed forces of Pakistan remained fully prepared to defend the motherland against any challenge. “Our armed forces made us proud and elevated the country’s dignity internationally,” he said.

He said India’s unilateral and illegal attempt to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty amounted to hydro-terrorism. “Water is life for millions of our citizens. This blatant violation of international law endangers regional stability and must be addressed seriously,” he added.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of IIOJK, the president emphasised the early resolution of the Kashmir dispute for lasting peace in the region. He also reiterated Pakistan’s support for the oppressed Palestinian people and their right to an independent state.

On terrorism, he said Indian-sponsored terrorism through Afghanistan against Pakistan must end, and Afghanistan must not allow its soil to be used against Pakistan. He added that Pakistan had played an internationally acknowledged role in preventing a wider conflict in the Middle East.

The event was attended by Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, federal ministers, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, diplomats, students and people from different walks of life.

(WITH INPUTS FROM APP)