PM says Operation Ghazab lil-Haq is continuing with full resolve

QUETTA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was continuing with full resolve to protect the lives and property of citizens, while targeting terrorist hideouts and support infrastructure linked to what he described as Afghan Taliban regime-based proxies.

The prime minister made the remarks during a visit to the Command and Staff College in Quetta, where he addressed faculty members and student officers. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti. On arrival at the college, he was received by Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

Visit to Command and Staff College

During the visit, Sharif praised the professionalism, operational readiness and sacrifices of the armed forces in defending national sovereignty and maintaining peace and stability. He also paid tribute to the Shuhada and commended what he described as the armed forces’ steadfast commitment to the country’s defence.

The prime minister also reiterated Pakistan’s support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine. Referring to Marka-e-Haq, he paid tribute to what he called the armed forces’ historic victory under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Sharif said Pakistan had acted responsibly and exercised escalation control in response to what he described as India’s unprovoked aggression, adding that the country’s stance had been acknowledged by the international community. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any misadventure.

Operation and border context

Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in February this year, months after Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025 following clashes that were triggered by unprovoked gunfire by the Afghan Taliban regime at multiple border points.

Despite several rounds of talks, the two sides have not reached an agreement because of the Afghan Taliban regime’s reluctance to act against militant groups operating from its territory.

Marka-e-Haq was described in the report as the 19-day military conflict with India from April 22 to May 10, 2025. In response to Indian aggression, Pakistan’s armed forces launched Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos and struck several Indian military targets in multiple areas. Pakistan downed eight Indian fighter jets, including Rafales, as well as dozens of drones. After at least 87 hours, the conflict ended on May 10 under a ceasefire brokered by the United States.

Military diplomacy and regional role

While noting the presence of students from friendly countries at the Quetta institution, the prime minister underscored the importance of military diplomacy and cooperation. He said Pakistan had made progress as a net regional stabiliser contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and beyond.

Field Marshal Munir’s engagements in Quetta

Earlier in the day, Field Marshal Munir also visited Quetta to interact with officers and faculty members at the Command and Staff College before meeting officers and troops of formations deployed in Balochistan.

During his address at the college, he praised the institution’s training standards, intellectual rigour and professionalism, saying its graduates had consistently stood out through their performance and commitment to the profession.

In his interaction with officers and troops deployed in Balochistan, the field marshal reviewed the prevailing security situation and reaffirmed that the armed forces, with public support, remained fully committed to eliminating terrorism across the country. He also said hostile forces seeking to obstruct Pakistan’s progress through proxies and propaganda would fail because of the state’s resilience and the unity of its people.