• ‘Youm-i-Bunyanum Marsoos’ to be celebrated every year
• PM Shehbaz flays India over failure to provide evidence linking Pakistan to Pahalgam attack; says ‘historic’ response forced New Delhi to seek truce ‘in just four hours’
• President Zardari praises country’s ‘calibrated and shocking response’ to Indian aggression
• Field Marshal Munir warns of ‘painful consequences’ in case of any future ‘misadventure’

ISLAMABAD: Recalling Pakis­tan’s “historic” response to India in May of last year, PM Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday lashed out at New Delhi for failing to provide any evidence of Islamabad’s alleged involvement in the Pahalgam attack.

“India carried out a false flag operation in Pahalgam and accused Pakistan of the attack,” he said, while addressing a ceremony in the federal capital, held to commemorate the first anniversary of the conflict.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir were among those present at the ceremony — held at the Pakistan Monument — with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmad Baber Sidhu also in attendance.

The premier began by observing a minute’s silence for those martyred during the conflict.

Recalling the flare-up, PM Shehbaz said that despite Pakistan offering a transparent investigation into the incident, the “enemy, in the dark of the night, attacked our mosques and children, imposing an unprovoked war on us”.

“Our brave armed forces gave a historic response to the attack that the enemy carried out in the darkness of the night,” he said, adding that “our Shaheens dominated the conflict”.

Consequently, he continued, India was compelled to request a ceasefire after four hours.

The premier announced that ‘Youm-i-Bunyanum Marsoos’ would be observed on May 10 every year from now onwards.

He paid tribute to the armed forces, particularly mentioning CDF Munir, whom he said had set new examples of “bravery and courage” during Marka-i-Haq.

“The field marshal’s wise and courageous leadership will be written in golden words in history. Field Marshal Asim Munir, the entire nation and I salute you,” PM Shehbaz said.

He added that this “tale of bravery would remain incomplete without mentioning ACM Sidhu and his Shaheens … who laid bare the reality behind the claims of the adversary’s aerial power. ACM Sidhu, I also pay tribute to you and congratulate your Shaheens from the bottom of my heart”.

PM Shehbaz also lauded the country’s navy and its chief, saying that the adversary could not “muster the courage to enter our waters” during Marka-i-Haq.

He then acknowledged the support extended by the people to the armed forces during the conflict, as well as that of the “brotherly and friendly countries” backing Pakistan on the diplomatic front.

The prime minister particularly thanked US President Donald Trump, who, he said, played a “historic role for peace in the region and to save millions of lives”.

He said had the situation worsened and tensions escalated further between the two nuclear-armed nations, “it is not difficult to assess how disastrous the outcome would have been”.

PM Shehbaz also specifically expressed gratitude to the leadership of Saudi Arabia, China and Turkiye.

He then lauded the armed forces for their fight against terrorism and concluded his address by promising the youth more opportunities for education, employment, and learning skills.

‘Calibrated and shocking response’

In his speech, President Zardari described Marka-i-Haq as “one of the most important chapters” in Pakistan’s national history.

“India chose unprovoked aggression on the basis of the false flag Pahalgam incident and launched air strikes on Pakistan’s civilian and places of worship without any justification. India’s media also misled [its] nation by presenting fabricated stories,” he added.

To that, Pakistan delivered a “calibrated and shocking response to Indian aggression” under the “dynamic” leadership of CDF Munir, he said. President Zardari maintained that despite its military capabilities, Pakistan chose to exercise restraint.

“Our response was mature and measured, being a responsible and peace-loving state.”

He said the PAF proved during Marka-i-Haq that it was second to none.

He also commended the Pakistan Navy, which he said, “through [its] operational preparedness and combat capabilities, defended our seas”.

He noted that India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam incident amounted to “hydro-terrorism”.

The president also reiterated Pakistan’s diplomatic support for the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir and their cause, stating that the issue “needs to be resolved in accordance with UN resolutions”.

Moreover, he called for an end to the “India-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan through Afghanistan” and the use of Afghan soil for terrorism in neighbouring countries.

Future ‘misadventure’

Earlier in the day, Field Marshal Munir warned that any future “misadventure” against Pakistan would result in “extremely far-reaching and painful” consequences for the enemy.

He made the remarks at a ceremony held at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi to mark the first anniversary of Pakistan’s victory in last year’s conflict with India. ACM Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Ashraf were also in attendance.

At the outset of his speech, the army chief said the day was a “source of pride” for Pakistan, its people and the armed forces.

He recalled that the “enemy made a failed attempt to test our resolve by violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Pakistan from the night of May 6/7 till May 10. He asserted that this was responded to “with complete national unity and military force”.

“Marka-i-Haq was not merely a traditional war fought between two countries or militaries, but in reality, it was a decisive marka [battle] between two ideologies,” he noted.

CDF Munir said India was under the false assumption that it could “change the balance of power and establish its dominance over the region by making Pakistan a target of its military aggression and diplomatically isolating it”.

“But in reality, global and defence experts know that India’s ambitions proved to be much larger than its stature and capabilities,” the field marshal remarked, asserting that Pakistan’s armed forces were not intimidated by displays of power and never would be.

CDF Munir stated that Pakistan also “achieved success on the diplomatic front” as its leaders and representatives conveyed Pakistan’s stance on the global stage.

“Similarly, there is no parallel to the way the Pakistani media, the journalist community, and especially our youth, thwarted the enemy’s propaganda, cyber warfare and psychological tactics,” he added.

He paid tribute to the martyrs of Marka-i-Haq, who “paid the price of this victory with their blood”, including women, the elderly and children killed in Indian strikes.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2026