Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has praised Pakistan’s conduct during the military standoff with India last year, describing the nation’s response as measured, responsible, and precise. Speaking on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, Dar paid tribute to the steadfast determination of the Pakistani people and armed forces throughout the 2025 conflict.
The confrontation began after the Pahalgam attack on 22 April 2025 and concluded with a ceasefire on 10 May following the launch of Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos. In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar called this period a defining moment that proved no force could undermine Pakistan’s foundations when its citizens stood united.
He emphasized that under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, the government acted with moral clarity, guided by principles rather than emotions. Reflecting on the military achievements, Dar asserted that Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos was more than just a tactical victory; it was an exercise of Pakistan’s inherent right to self-defense as enshrined in the UN Charter.
Dar specifically commended the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu and Admiral Naveed Ashraf. He highlighted the Pakistan Air Force’s significant operational successes, including the downing of multiple Indian fighter jets, among them three Rafale aircraft, and the neutralization of key strategic military targets.
The minister noted these actions were in direct response to escalating Indian hostilities, which intensified on 7 May 2025 when missile strikes targeted six cities across Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). These attacks destroyed a mosque and caused dozens of civilian casualties. Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes on Indian airbases and missile storage facilities were deemed necessary to safeguard territorial integrity and deter further aggression.
Meanwhile, Dar underscored the vital role played by the Foreign Office in articulating Pakistan’s stance on international platforms. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional stability through dialogue but stressed that lasting peace in South Asia hinges on resolving the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
The 2025 crisis also saw a severe diplomatic breakdown, with India suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Wagah-Attari border, and ordering the closure of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. The hostilities finally ended on 10 May 2025 after intense overnight diplomatic efforts involving US President Donald Trump.
Concluding his remarks, Dar called on the nation to remain united, emphasizing that the anniversary of Marka-e-Haq is not only a reflection on past resilience but a pledge to shape a stronger future. He urged citizens to reject division and work towards a prosperous Pakistan, warning that any future threats to the homeland would be met with unwavering resolve and strength by all means necessary.
