Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, declared that India misjudged Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, interpreting it mistakenly as a sign of weakness. This statement was made during a ceremony at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington on Saturday, commemorating the first anniversary of the Marka-e-Haq conflict of 2025, which significantly altered regional dynamics.
The event celebrated the end of the conflict and the success of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, with a strong patriotic atmosphere. Attendees echoed chants of “Pakistan Zindabad,” honoring the armed forces for their steadfast defense against external threats.
Messages from Pakistan’s highest civil and military officials were shared, including a statement from Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, presented by Defence Attaché Brigadier Irfan Ali. This underscored the ceremony’s emphasis on national sovereignty and resilience.
In his address, Ambassador Sheikh emphasized that the 2025 events highlighted Pakistan’s strategic importance and national pride. He praised the unified response of the civil-military leadership and the public during the intense 88-hour escalation, asserting that Pakistan would never compromise its dignity.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s founding, the Ambassador pointed out that the current treatment of Muslims in India validates the foresight behind Pakistan’s creation. He stressed that global security is closely tied to Pakistan’s security, referencing the country’s influential role in international diplomacy over the past eighty years.
Turning to diplomacy, Sheikh acknowledged the efforts that led to the ceasefire on 10 May last year, particularly thanking US President Donald Trump for his constructive mediation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. He reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to peace, while India suffered significant consequences for misreading Pakistan’s diplomatic restraint as weakness.
Looking ahead, the envoy connected the philosophy of “Bunyanum Marsoos” (Lead-Solid Wall) to Pakistan’s ongoing economic rebuilding. He called on overseas Pakistanis to overcome political divisions and unite in support of the country’s development, emphasizing that national unity is crucial to safeguarding Pakistan’s territorial integrity and its role as a key player on the global stage.
