Islamabad : Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday praised the leadership of Pakistan’s armed forces under Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asif Munir, saying they demonstrated exceptional courage and determination during Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, successfully countering hostile intentions in May 2025.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the Pakistan Monument to mark the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq Bunyan-un-Marsoos, the prime minister said India had used the Pahalgam incident as a pretext to launch aggression against Pakistan, but Islamabad responded responsibly and prevented further escalation.
He said Pakistan had already warned against any misadventure and had also offered a transparent investigation into the incident. However, he added that India carried out unprovoked attacks targeting mosques, civilians and children during what he described as a nighttime assault.
The prime minister said Pakistan’s armed forces responded with remarkable bravery and coordination, adding that the country’s air force achieved aerial dominance during the conflict.
He stated that Pakistani forces delivered a strong counter-response, damaging enemy capabilities and forcing a rapid de-escalation, while praising the professionalism of all three services for their performance.
Describing Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos as a significant military success, he said it reflected national unity, courage and restraint, and announced that May 10 would be observed annually as Marka-e-Haq Day, though not as a public holiday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to Field Marshal Syed Asif Munir, saying his leadership had added a proud chapter to Pakistan’s military history. He also praised Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Admiral Naveed Ashraf for their roles in safeguarding air and maritime frontiers.
He further thanked friendly countries for their diplomatic support during the crisis, including US President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and China, describing Beijing as a long-standing and trusted partner.
The prime minister said Pakistan also played a constructive diplomatic role in easing tensions between Iran and the United States, and reiterated Islamabad’s efforts to promote regional peace.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued political, diplomatic and moral support for the people of Palestine and Kashmir, while highlighting ongoing counter-terrorism operations against militant groups.
He concluded by saying the government remains committed to investing in youth education and training to ensure long-term national progress and stability.
