Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Sunday to celebrate May 10 as Marka-e-Haq Day every year to commemorate Pakistan’s victory against Indian aggression a year ago.
The prime minister made this announcement at a special ceremony held at Pakistan Monument in Islamabad on Sunday to commemorate the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos.
The premier said India used the Pahalgam incident as a pretext to level a barrage of allegations against Pakistan, but “we exercised restraint”, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.
He said Pakistan had warned India against any kind of misadventure and had also offered an impartial international investigation into the incident.
“But the coward enemy, as always, imposed war by targeting our mosques, innocent children, and civilians under the cover of darkness.”
Highlighting the success of Pakistan, the prime minister said Pakistan’s Fatah missiles destroyed the Indian defence system, and Shaheens of Pakistan Air Force dominated the skies. He said India was ultimately forced to agree to a ceasefire within just four hours.
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Sharif paid tribute to the soldiers and officers of the Pakistan Army, saying that they were the legatees of the blood of the martyrs and the legacy of great traditions of the nation.
Shehbaz Sharif commended the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, saying that he had written new chapters of courage and bravery in that warfare.
He further said that history would always remember the sagacious and courageous leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in golden words.
The prime minister also lauded Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf for inflicting defeat and heavy losses on India.
He extended gratitude to brotherly and friendly countries that supported Pakistan on the diplomatic front during the war.
He particularly thanked Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and leadership of China for supporting Pakistan’s stance during war against India.
Sharif especially applauded US President Donald Trump for his timely intervention to stop the war. He said President Trump played a historic role in promoting peace in the region and saved millions of lives.
Commenting on the role of Pakistan in resolving crisis in the region, the prime minister said Pakistan was making every possible effort to establish peace in Iran.
He said Pakistan would continue to support the Palestinians and the unarmed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir until they were able to breathe freely in an atmosphere of freedom.
He expressed the resolve that the Armed Forces of Pakistan would defeat terrorism and bury that forever.
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The prime minister described the youth as the nation’s valuable asset, saying that the country would provide young people with education, skills, and employment opportunities.
Earlier, a one-minute silence was observed during the ceremony in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country.