RAWALPINDI (Kashmir English): A grand ceremony was held at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi today to mark one year since Pakistan’s victory in last year’s conflict with India, known as Marka-e-Haq.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf laid floral wreaths at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada (Martyrs’ Monument), followed by a salute by smartly turned out contingents of the trio services.
The chief guest, Field Marshal Asim Munir, addressed the gathering and delivered an important speech highlighting the significance of Marka-i-Haq.
Smartly turned-out contingents from the three armed services presented a salute to the chief guest.
Addressing the ceremony, Field Marshal Asim Munir warned the enemy that any future misadventure against Pakistan will have extremely dangerous, far-reaching, and painful consequences.
“Pakistan, its people, and the armed forces achieved an unprecedented victory in Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” he said, describing the conflict as a decisive battle between two ideologies in which truth prevailed while falsehood faced defeat.
COAS added that India dreams of altering the balance of power in the region by subjecting Pakistan to military aggression and diplomatic isolation, but this ambition is far beyond its capacity and capability, and Pakistan will never allow it to succeed.
The Army Chief said India suffered heavy human and material losses in the conflict, the consequences of which it will continue to bear for years to come.
He said Fatah missiles and the Shaheens of the Pakistan Air Force successfully targeted more than twenty-six enemy military installations, adding that Pakistan’s defence is completely impregnable against any external aggression.
Paying tribute to all martyrs and veterans of Marka-e-Haq, especially the unarmed women, elderly people, and innocent children who embraced martyrdom, he said the entire nation and the armed forces salute their sacrifices with profound respect.
CDF highlights changing nature of warfare
Highlighting the changing nature of warfare, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) said modern and future wars will consist of multi-domain operations involving long-range weapons, drones, cyber capabilities, and artificial intelligence.
The top general said a Defence Forces Headquarters has been established to align Pakistan’s armed forces with modern warfare requirements.
Talking about Pakistan’s achievements on the diplomatic front, he described Pakistan’s strategic mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia as a major milestone in the country’s diplomatic achievements.
The Field Marshal said Pakistan is hosting historic peace negotiations through its effective, responsible, and impartial diplomacy. He said, considering conventional war against Pakistan impossible, India is once again resorting to the heinous strategy of terrorism.
Field Marshal urged Afghanistan to eliminate terrorist centres and sanctuaries operating from its soil. He paid tribute to the brave people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, as well as the armed forces and law enforcement personnel, for their courage and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
The Chief of Defence Forces vowed that every drop of innocent Pakistani blood will be avenged and the war against terrorism will continue until the elimination of the last terrorist.
He also reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue extending political, diplomatic, and moral support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on every front. The Army Chief reiterated that Pakistan was invincible in the past and, God willing, will remain invincible in the years ahead as well.
