Main Marka-e-Haq ceremony concludes amid severe weather in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: A main ceremony marking “Marka-e-Haq” was held at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad, where top civil and military leadership gathered to commemorate the occasion and honour the armed forces.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and other senior officials attended the event alongside foreign diplomats.

The ceremony began with the national anthem and a guard of honour presented by the armed forces, followed by a one-minute silence in memory of the martyrs.

Speaking on the occasion, the leadership praised the armed forces for their role in what they described as a historic victory over India.

They highlighted the professionalism, bravery, and sacrifices of Pakistan’s military personnel in defending the country.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the armed forces responded decisively to aggression and upheld national sovereignty with courage.

PM Shehbaz also said that Pakistan has received Iran’s response to the United States’ proposed peace deal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.

According to the Premier, the development marks an important step in diplomatic efforts involving Islamabad as a mediator between Tehran and Washington.

The exchange is part of broader negotiations focused on achieving a possible ceasefire and laying the groundwork for a longer-term peace agreement, he added.

The PM also paid tribute to the martyrs and said the nation would continue to remember their sacrifices.

The ceremony continued with tributes and speeches reflecting on the significance of “Marka-e-Haq” and reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to honouring its armed forces.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military leadership also marked the first anniversary of the Marka-e-Haq at General Headquarters (GHQ). During the event, tributes were paid to martyrs and a strong message of national unity, resilience, and military readiness was delivered to the nation.

The ceremony began with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, visiting Yadgar-e-Shuhada to lay floral wreaths and offer Fateha for those who lost their lives in the conflict.

Senior military officials, veterans, and families of martyrs attended the event, which echoed with patriotic songs and the national anthem.

Addressing the gathering, the Field Marshal described the Maka-e-Haq as “a decisive battle between two ideologies,” declaring that “truth emerged victorious and falsehood was defeated.”

“By the grace of Allah, Pakistan, the people and the armed forces achieved an unprecedented success in the Battle of Haq, Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” he said.

Paying tribute to the fallen, the army chief said the nation would never forget the sacrifices made during the conflict.