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MARKA-E-HAQ CRUSHED INDIA'S MILITARY ARROGANCE, PAKISTAN READY FOR ANY FUTURE AGGRESSION: DG ISPR
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Friday, 8 May, 2026 | 110 Dhul-Qadah, 1447
g PAKISTAN ARMED FORCES MARK FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF
MARKA-E-HAQ WITH STRONG WARNING TO ADVERSARIES
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 43 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
g DG ISPR SAYS PAKISTAN DEFEATED INDIA ACROSS AIR, LAND, SEA AND
CYBER DOMAINS IN UNPRECEDENTED MULTI-DOMAIN WARFARE
g PAF CLAIMS HISTORIC '8-0' EDGE OVER INDIAN AIR FORCE, g PAKISTAN REITERATES COMMITMENT TO REGIONAL PEACE, VOWS
SAYS RAFALES AND STRATEGIC ASSETS NEUTRALISED RAWALPINDI
Civil-military leadership, institutional coordination, national unity proved decisive in Marka-e-Haq
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IRECTOR General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Thursday said that “no one can harm Pakistan”, asserting that the country’s armed forces had inflicted a decisive defeat on an adversary “five times larger” during Marka-e-Haq and remained fully prepared to counter any future aggression. Addressing a joint press conference alongside senior officials of the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force on the completion of one year of Marka-e-Haq, Lt Gen Chaudhry congratulated the nation and paid tribute to the armed forces for what he described as a historic demonstration of operational capability and national resolve. Marka-e-Haq refers to the 2025 Pakistan-India conflict that erupted following the April 22 Pahalgam attack and culminated in a ceasefire announced on May 10 after Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in response to Indian strikes. “A year ago, we buried India’s arrogance in the dust,” the DG ISPR said, adding that Pakistan had successfully defended itself across air, land, sea, and cyber domains through coordinated multi-domain operations. He maintained that the conflict had changed the nature of modern warfare and demonstrated Pakistan’s growing capability in integrated operations.
ISLAMABAD
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Lt Gen Chaudhry accused India of promoting a “false narrative” linking Pakistan to terrorism and said New Delhi had failed to present evidence regarding the Pahalgam incident despite registering an FIR within minutes of the attack. He alleged that India had repeatedly used “false flag operations” to malign Pakistan internationally. “India’s terrorism narrative has collapsed forever,” he remarked, alleging that India itself was involved in sponsoring destabilisation and militancy in the region. He further claimed that terrorist incidents inside Pakistan had links with India and Afghanistan. The military spokesperson stressed that Pakistan remained committed to regional peace and stability despite heightened tensions, warning that war between two nuclear powers would amount to “madness”. However, he reiterated
that Pakistan’s armed forces were fully capable of defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against any threat. He announced that the nation would witness “a small glimpse” of Pakistan’s military capabilities on August 14, saying the armed forces would continue investing in advanced technologies and operational preparedness to confront future security challenges. Lt Gen Chaudhry also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri people, stating that Jammu and Kashmir remained an internationally recognised dispute under United Nations resolutions. He criticised what he called India’s treatment of minorities and alleged human rights abuses in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur.
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Cheema assures World Bank of close coordination on $20b Pakistan framework ISLAMABAD
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Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema told the World Bank that the federal government is working closely with all provincial governments to implement Pakistan’s 10-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF), which includes $20 billion for development projects and reform programmes, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday. Cheema gave the assurance during a meeting with World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar, where the two sides reviewed key outcomes of the CPF for FY2026-FY2035. He said the federal government and all provinces were aligned on the framework and remained committed to delivering its intended results. According to the statement, the discussion covered a range of priority areas under the framework. These included efforts to reduce child stunting through access
CRUSHING RESPONSE TO ANY HOSTILE DESIGN AGAINST HOMELAND
to clean water, improved sanitation, better healthcare and proper nutrition. Climate resilience also featured prominently in the meeting, with both sides discussing measures to reduce the impact of floods and other climate-related risks while safeguarding food and nutrition security within the water-agriculture nexus. The transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy systems was identified as another major priority, alongside efforts to improve air quality. Cheema noted that these sectors fall within both federal and provincial domains, underscoring the need for coordination across different levels of government. Private sector investment and reform agenda The meeting also highlighted the importance of encouraging productive and inclusive private sector investment through the International Finance Corporation (IFC). According to the statement, both sides stressed that such investment could
Pakistan, Qatar reaffirm joint push for regional peace amid ongoing diplomacy ISLAMABAD
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help raise exports, improve external balances and support stronger and more sustainable economic growth. Cheema appreciated the World Bank Group’s continued support for Pakistan and reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining policy continuity and ensuring that reforms are implemented effectively. Amgaabazar, for her part, reaffirmed the World Bank’s support for Pakistan’s long-term development objectives through continued engagement, strategic financing and technical expertise, the statement said. She also expressed confidence that sustained efforts could help Pakistan secure stronger investment, higher productivity and more inclusive growth over time. The official statement presented the meeting as part of ongoing engagement between Pakistan and the World Bank on the implementation of the CPF, which is intended to guide development and reform efforts over the next decade.
Pakistan hopeful of early US-Iran agreement, says Foreign Office ISLAMABAD
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Pakistan and Qatar on Thursday reaffirmed their strong commitment to supporting ongoing efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region during a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, state media reported. “Premier Shehbaz on Thursday received a telephone call from Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and the two leaders held a productive exchange of views on the current regional situation during a warm and cordial conversation,” said a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Recalling his recent visit to Doha on April 16, the prime minister said his meeting with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Qatari leadership had been “most helpful” in building consensus for peace efforts. He noted that the people of Pakistan were looking forward to a visit by the Qatari Emir at a mutually convenient date, saying such a visit would further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. Meanwhile, the Qatari premier expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote peace and stability in the region, the PMO added.
Pakistan said on Thursday it was optimistic that an agreement between the United States and Iran could be reached soon, with the Foreign Office saying Islamabad would welcome a settlement wherever it is finalised. Speaking during the weekly Foreign Office briefing, spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan remained hopeful about progress between Washington and Tehran. He said Islamabad would welcome an understanding between the two countries regardless of where it is concluded. “If an agreement is reached in Pakistan, it would be an honour for us,” he said. Andrabi made the remarks in response to a question at the briefing. He also said he could not say whether the draft agreement would be one page or longer. The spokesperson’s comments came after signs emerged on Wednesday that the United States and Iran were moving closer to a peace arrangement. According to the source report, there were reports that Tehran was examining a fresh proposal from Washington for peace after the suspension of ‘Project Freedom’, which had been launched by the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
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Federal Interior Minister on Thursday said Pakistan’s civil armed forces, intelligence agencies and media played a decisive and exemplary role during the recent Pakistan-India hostilities, ensuring national security through advance preparedness, effective coordination and national unity. Addressing a briefing, the minister thanked media representatives for their presence and said the interaction coincided with nationwide celebrations, making it important to highlight the role played by civil defence institutions, Rangers, Islamabad security teams and other forces in safeguarding the country with exceptional dedication. He said that while Pakistan’s armed forces — the Army, Air Force and Navy — performed outstandingly during the conflict, the contribution of the country’s intelligence agencies was “far greater than publicly acknowledged.” According to the minister, intelligence shared ahead of the conflict proved “100 percent accurate,” allowing Pakistan to make timely preparations and respond effectively to emerging threats. The minister revealed that India deployed small and medium-sized drones extensively across several Pakistani cities, but said Pakistani forces intercepted and neutralized most of them at the border.
PAF reveals how sophisticated 'kill chain' crippled Indian air power ISLAMABAD
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Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu on Wednesday revealed key details of the Pakistan Air Force’s operational strategy and indigenous “kill chain” that successfully countered Indian aggression during Marka-e-Haq and resulted in the downing of several Indian fighter jets, including Rafale aircraft. Addressing a ceremony at Air Headquarters in Islamabad marking one year of Marka-e-Haq, the air chief said Pakistan’s success in the conflict was achieved through a unified national response, professional excellence and the blessings of Almighty Allah. He stated that after the Pahalgam incident, India created a highly hostile regional environment, prompting Pakistan to activate precautionary operational measures while maintaining the highest level of military readiness. According to Air Chief Marshal Sidhu, the Pakistan Air Force immediately declared its highest alert status and intensified fullspectrum surveillance to monitor enemy activity and aerial deployments in real time. He said the PAF maintained a robust defensive counter-air posture through continuous combat air patrols, time-sensitive scrambles and round-the-clock monitoring using airborne early warning systems integrated with Pakistan’s advanced air defence network. The air chief disclosed that Indian attempts to conceal operational deployments and strategic positioning were effectively neutralised through Pakistan’s intelligence-driven aerial operations.