PM Shehbaz addresses Marka-i-Haq ceremony at Pakistan Monument in Islamabad
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently addressing a ceremony being held at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad to commemorate Marka-i-Haq. The conflict with India — starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos with a ceasefire between the two countries on May 10 — has been called “Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth) by the state. PM Shehbaz, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir are among those attending the ceremony in Islamabad, where Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Baber Sidhu are also present. PM Shehbaz began his address by observing one minute of silence for those martyred during the period of conflict. The ceremony began with a march past and the recitation of the Holy Quran. A fly past was also planned but had to be aborted due to bad weather. Patriotic songs have also been performed during the ceremony. More to follow