ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif urged the nation to make the pledge to face the country’s adversaries like a ‘Steel Wall’ and work selflessly for the destined glory of the great homeland, while commemorating the sacrifices of  martyrs during Marka-e-Haq.

In a message on the occasion of the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, he said, “Marka-e-Haq is a day to bow in gratitude before Allah Almighty for His countless blessings upon us. Today, we commemorate Pakistan’s valiant stand in adversity and the crushing defeat we inflicted on the enemy.”

“The nation pays tribute to its martyrs, their families and the ghazis who stood like a steel wall to defend their homeland. The well-coordinated and synchronized response of our forces across land, sea, air and cyber domains established Pakistan as an invincible nation,” he added.

He said, “Marka-e-Haq bears testimony that Pakistanis are a peace-loving, yet courageous, resilient, and dignified nation who can neither be intimidated nor subdued by any aggressor.”

“Marka-e-Haq is etched in history as an epic feat of achieving overwhelming dominance over an enemy, bent on unprovoked aggression. The enemy was administered a heavy dose of reality serum to dispel its illusion of invincibility,” he continued.

He said, “We pay rich tribute to the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for his bold and courageous leadership. We also pay tribute to Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber and Admiral Naveed Ashraf for their strategic prudence.”

“We also salute officers and soldiers of the valiant Armed Forces, who, with unflinching support of the Pakistani nation, inscribed a new chapter in Pakistan-India context. Pakistan clearly manifested its desire for peace, while re-establishing deterrence and safeguarding its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he remarked.

The Prime Minister said, “Let there be no doubt that any aggression to undermine Pakistan will be met with an immediate, befitting and full-spectrum response. We stand determined and vigilant to ensure security along our frontiers. We also remain steadfast in our efforts to root out ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’ and ‘Fitna al-Hindustan’ and take the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion.”

“No story of Pakistan is complete without Kashmir, which remains the unfinished agenda of the subcontinent’s partition. Strategic stability in South Asia, without the resolution of Kashmir issue, would remain a distant dream which needs to be resolved in accordance with the United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” he added.

He said, “Pakistan shall continue to stand by the fundamental right of freedom and self-determination of Kashmiri people. Today, Pakistan is recognized as a responsible nation that not only knows how to defend itself, but has also emerged as a guarantor of global peace and stability. Pakistan’s pivotal role as a key mediator during the ongoing US-Iran conflict and our efforts to seek an end to violence, has earned world-wide acknowledgement. Pakistan remains committed in its efforts aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

Meanwhile in a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “As the nation commemorates the glorious success of Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, we thank Allah Almighty and pay tribute to the extraordinary courage, unwavering resolve, and supreme sacrifices of our Armed Forces and the people of Pakistan.”

“In the face of aggression, Pakistan stood united in purpose, disciplined in action, and unshakable in faith. Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos reflected the exceptional strength, professionalism, and operational excellence of our Armed Forces, who, under the resolute and visionary leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, defended the sovereignty and dignity of the motherland with remarkable precision, valor, and determination,” he added.

Shehbaz Sharif said ,”His bold leadership and unflinching commitment to the defence of Pakistan inspired the nation and strengthened the resolve of our brave Armed Forces at a defining moment in our history.”

“Marka-e-Haq shall forever remain a symbol of national unity, resilience, and our collective determination to safeguard Pakistan at all costs. Today, we salute our brave sons and daughters in uniform, whose sacrifices continue to strengthen the foundations of our security and freedom. The grateful nation stands proud of every soldier, officer, martyr, and veteran who upheld the honor of Pakistan with courage and selflessness,” he said adding, “Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to peace, yet equally unwavering in defending its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national honor against any threat.”