Marka-i-Haq a ‘triumph of unity’: Bilawal
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• PPP chairman affirms Pakistan not ‘a nation that bows’, asserts peace must be ‘just, dignified and mutual’
• Sindh CM credits armed forces, public and media, says nation responded with solidarity
KARACHI: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday lauded Pakistan’s “victory” against India during last year’s military conflict, explaining that it was not a victory of weapons alone, but a “triumph of resolve and unity of the nation”.
While addressing an event in Karachi organised by the Sindh government to commemorate Marka-i-Haq, where Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also spoke, the former foreign minister affirmed that the country was “not a nation that bows”.
The term ‘Marka-i-Haq’ is used by the state to refer to the 2025 conflict with India, starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos with a ceasefire on May 10.
“This victory was not the victory of weapons alone. It was a triumph of resolve. It was a triumph of unity and of a people who refused to kneel,” said the PPP chairman, who is also the former foreign minister and had led a delegation abroad to convey Pakistan’s stance on the conflict.
“From the mountains of the north to the shores of the Arabian Sea, from the fields of Punjab to the deserts of Sindh and Balochistan, Pakistan stood as one,” he affirmed.
“We are not a nation that bows before pressure. We are not a nation that compromises its sovereignty. We are a nation that rises again and again, stronger, prouder and more united,” the PPP chairman declared.
“Our armed forces fought with courage, discipline and honour. Our diplomats defended our position with clarity and conviction, and our brave and resilient people stood firm behind their nation,” he added.
Mr Bhutto-Zardari recalled that a year ago, Pakistan “stood at the edge of uncertainty [as] the drums of conflict echoed across our borders”.
“The air was thick with fear, speculation and the designs of those who believed Pakistan could be bent, broken or bullied. They were wrong,” the PPP chairman added.
He emphasised that victory was “not measured by territory held or battles won”, but by “dignity preserved [and] sovereignty defended”.
The former foreign minister asserted that peace must be just, dignified and mutual. Addressing the youth, he said, “This victory belongs to you as much as it does to any institution or any individual. You are the custodians of this nation’s future.”
‘Nation acted with solidarity’
Speaking on the occasion, the Sindh chief minister said the provincial government was commemorating the “Jashn-i-Marka-i-Haq” [Festival of the Battle of Truth], attributing the victory to the armed forces, the people and the media.
He recalled that precisely a year ago, India had cast “an evil eye” upon Pakistan, but the nation collectively responded with solidarity.
According to Mr Shah, India failed to present credible evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack and subsequently resorted to military aggression.
He added that Pakistan’s air power responded forcefully, asserting that India’s “proud Rafale jets” were shot down and drones were brought down over Pakistani villages. He concluded that India then realised the futility of fighting Pakistan.
Mr Shah recounted that when India launched another wave of aggression at dawn the following day, Pakistan achieved a decisive success within hours.
He affirmed that Pakistan had now emerged as a central nation in global conflict resolution efforts, referring to the country’s role in mediating and establishing a ceasefire in the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2026
