Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM), Senator Ishaq Dar on Tuesday said the entire Pakistani nation was commemorating the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, terming it a historic moment when the country’s armed forces, backed by the people, defended Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against unprovoked Indian aggression.
Addressing ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the deputy prime minister elaborated on Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements, multilateral initiatives and peace efforts alongside reiterating the country’s stance on regional security.
He said the success of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos reflected the professionalism, courage and determination of Pakistan’s armed forces and conveyed a clear message that the nation would thwart any attempt to undermine its peace and prosperity.
The deputy prime minister said the events of last year had brought the region to the brink of disaster, alleging that India’s actions followed a pattern of escalation, including unsubstantiated allegations against Pakistan and inflammatory rhetoric.
Referring to the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam incident, he said India had blamed Pakistan without credible evidence, despite Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calling for a transparent and independent investigation and repeated appeals for restraint from the international community, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
He said that during the night of May 6 and 7, India had targeted civilian areas, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and posing risks to commercial air traffic.
Dar said Pakistan, invoking Article 51 of the UN Charter, responded in self-defence under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir with a measured and proportionate response focused on military targets.
He added that Pakistan Air Force, led by Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, successfully neutralized multiple targets, while the Pakistan Navy, under Admiral Naveed Ashraf, remained fully prepared to respond to any challenge.
The deputy prime minister said Pakistan’s response reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence as enshrined in the UN Charter, and that regional peace could not be held hostage to “politics of hatred and division.”
He appreciated the role of Donald Trump in helping achieve a ceasefire and acknowledged the constructive contributions of Saudi Arabia and Turkey, along with other friendly nations.
Highlighting the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, he said its unresolved status continued to threaten peace in South Asia and called for renewed efforts under UN auspices for a just and lasting resolution in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Dar expressed concern over India’s decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, terming it a violation of established norms and a threat to regional stability. He warned that any attempt to stop or divert Pakistan’s share of water would be considered an act of war, as underlined by the National Security Committee.
He also pointed to what he described as irregular fluctuations in river flows, particularly in the Chenab River and Jhelum River, stressing the need for transparency, data sharing and adherence to treaty obligations.
The deputy prime minister said the United Nations Security Council had held consultations on May 6, 2025, where members expressed concern over escalation risks and emphasized restraint. He added that a December 2025 report by UN experts had also raised concerns over the legality of the use of force.
DPM/FM Ishaq Dar underscored Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism, peaceful dispute resolution and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and self-determination.
The deputy prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s active role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, noting that the country had focused on promoting dialogue, bridging divides and strengthening inclusive decision-making.
He referred to Pakistan’s presidency of the Council in July 2025, during which a high-level debate on multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes was convened, resulting in the unanimous adoption of a key resolution.
He said Pakistan had consistently emphasized that unresolved disputes, particularly those involving foreign occupation, remained among the most serious threats to international peace and security. Dar also pointed to Pakistan’s efforts to enhance cooperation among multilateral organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as well as regional forums such as the Economic Cooperation Organization and the Developing Eight, aimed at promoting economic integration and shared development.
He noted that Pakistan would assume the chairmanship of the ECO Council of Foreign Ministers and host its summit in 2026-27, while also preparing to take over the chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and host its summit in 2027 to advance cooperation in trade, connectivity, security and sustainable development across Eurasia.