Field Marshal Munir to lead Marka-e-Haq anniversary ceremony at GHQ

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will lead a ceremony at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Sunday morning to mark the completion of one year since last year’s victory against India in May 2025.

The term “Marka-e-Haq” refers to the 2025 conflict with India, which began with the April 22 Pahalgam attack and concluded with a ceasefire on May 10 following Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.

State-run Radio Pakistan reported that CDF Munir will be the chief guest at the ceremony, which will also be attended by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf.

Read: ‘No one can harm Pakistan; we are ready to respond to any aggression’: DG ISPR on Marka-e-Haq anniversary

A wreath will be laid at the martyrs’ monument, followed by a salute presented by contingents of the three armed forces. CDF Munir will also deliver an address on the occasion.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the nation and the armed forces on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq.

According to a statement issued by the President’s Office, the president said CDF Munir’s leadership, strategy and “courageous decisions” were key to the success of Marka-e-Haq.

He also lauded the air chief and the Pakistan Air Force for their “exceptional skill and professionalism”.

President Zardari praised the naval chief and forces, describing their full operational readiness and defence capabilities as a source of national pride.

“Pakistan is a responsible and peace-loving state. By giving a strong but measured response to enemy aggression, we have conveyed our defensive capability to the world,” the president said.

He said the issue of Jammu and Kashmir must be resolved in accordance with United Nations resolutions.

Also Read: On Marka-e-Haq Day, forces signal firm resolve

“Pakistan will continue its moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people,” he said.

Terming India’s attempt to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty as “water aggression”, he said water was a matter of life for millions of Pakistanis.

Turning to cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan, he said Kabul must ensure its territory was not used for terrorism against Pakistan or other countries in the region.

He said terrorism backed by external support must be eliminated for lasting peace in the region.

The president said Pakistan was emerging as a symbol of balance and stability in the region due to the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and CDF Munir.

He added that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for a peaceful resolution of the Iran–US conflict had been widely appreciated at the global level.

“Pakistan’s nation and armed forces are fully prepared to face every challenge and defend the homeland,” President Zardari said.

Pahalgam attack and Marka-e-Haq

On April 22, 2025, escalation between Pakistan and India began when an attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident. However, Pakistan categorically rejected the Indian blame.

In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the next day, on April 23, 2025, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other’s embassies.

Tensions further escalated in the early hours of May 7, 2025, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.

In a swift military response, Pakistan’s armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets. The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, 2025, when India targeted several Pakistani airbases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases, and other strategic targets.

On May 10, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense overnight diplomatic efforts. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.