ISLAMABAD, May 2026: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday paid tribute to the nation and armed forces on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, praising what he called a disciplined, calculated, and resolute response to external aggression that demonstrated Pakistan’s strength, unity, and strategic maturity.
In a statement issued by the Presidency’s Media Wing, the president said the leadership, strategic vision, and “courageous decisions” of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir played a decisive role in the outcome of the events. He also lauded Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and the Pakistan Air Force for their “exceptional skill and professional excellence,” along with Admiral Naveed Ashraf and the Pakistan Navy for maintaining full operational readiness.
Describing the developments of April and May last year as a defining national moment, President Zardari said the conflict was not merely a military episode but a test of national resolve. He stated that following what he termed an unprovoked attack under the pretext of the Pahalgam incident, Pakistan responded with “discipline, precision, courage, and unity.”
Referring to Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, he called it the decisive phase of Marka-e-Haq, saying it reflected Pakistan’s coordinated tri-services response and strong national backing. “Our response was calibrated, measured, precise and proportionate. Our message was unambiguous,” he said.
The president emphasized that the event demonstrated Pakistan’s deterrence capability, rooted in professional military competence and national solidarity. He remarked that in moments of conflict, the entire nation stood united. “When war is imposed on us, every Pakistani becomes a soldier,” he said.
President Zardari further stated that Pakistan is now globally recognized not only as a self-defending state but also as a contributor to regional peace and stability. He highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement in facilitating dialogue and ceasefire efforts in recent international tensions, describing them as part of Islamabad’s constructive global role.
Reiterating Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, he said the dispute remains central to regional instability and must be resolved in accordance with international resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The president also strongly criticized India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, terming it an attempt at the “weaponisation of water.” He stressed that the treaty, brokered in 1960, was designed to remain beyond political disputes and warned that water security is a matter of survival for millions of Pakistanis.
“Water is not a bargaining chip,” he stated, adding that Pakistan would defend its water rights with the same resolve as its territorial sovereignty.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s counter-terrorism stance, President Zardari said the country continues to suffer from terrorism and remains determined to eliminate all forms of extremism and militant networks threatening national stability.
