Web Desk: Sindh government on Monday marked the first anniversary of what it called “Marka e Haq,” a military engagement it described as a defining moment in the country’s defence history, with a formal commemorative ceremony attended by senior political and military figures.
The event, held in Karachi, brought together Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers, lawmakers, and senior civil and military officials. Organisers opened the ceremony with recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem and a documentary highlighting the events of the conflict.
During his address, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan’s armed forces had delivered a decisive response to India during the 2025 confrontation, adding that the country had demonstrated national unity under pressure.
He said the conflict showed “the strength of a united nation,” while also crediting Pakistani diplomats for effectively presenting the country’s position on international platforms. “The enemy was forced to back down,” he said, adding that Pakistan had sent a clear message that it would not come under pressure.
Separately, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said India launched what he described as an offensive in the first week of May 2025, prompting a strong military response from Pakistan. He claimed that Pakistan’s forces shot down Indian Rafale fighter jets and rejected Indian media reports suggesting attacks on Karachi Port, calling them part of a disinformation campaign.
The confrontation, which took place amid heightened regional tensions in May 2025, followed India’s cross-border military action that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denied the allegations and responded with what officials described as both defensive and retaliatory measures, inflicting significant damage on Indian air assets.
At the time, Pakistan was also engaged in active diplomatic efforts in the region, including facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran, as it sought to position itself as a stabilising force.
Speakers at the ceremony linked Pakistan’s defence capabilities to its broader strategic and nuclear development history, referencing earlier missile and nuclear programmes as foundational elements of national security.
Meanwhile, participants also reiterated that claims in Indian media about damage to major Pakistani cities, including Karachi and Lahore, were unfounded. They said such reporting had damaged the credibility of Indian outlets internationally.
The anniversary event concluded with renewed pledges to strengthen both defence preparedness and diplomatic outreach, as officials framed the “Battle of Haq” as a symbol of military readiness and national unity.
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