ISLAMABAD: Pakistan marked its 78th Independence Day on Thursday with a grand investiture ceremony at the Presidency, where the nation’s top civil and military leaders were honoured with prestigious national awards. The day’s commemorations carried added significance as the country celebrated Marka-e-Haq, the recent armed clash with India.
Among the awardees was Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, who received the Hilal-e-Jurat from President Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of his leadership during one of the most testing periods in Pakistan’s history. Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, was also decorated with the Hilal-e-Jurat for his role in defending the nation’s skies during the conflict.
The ceremony followed weeks of heightened tensions after New Delhi carried out cross-border strikes inside Pakistan under the pretext of targeting militants allegedly linked to the Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan retaliated forcefully, launching Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos and shooting down six Indian Air Force fighter jets, including three Rafales, in what was described as a decisive response to India’s aggression.
In the aftermath of the confrontation, Pakistan also mounted a vigorous diplomatic campaign to counter Indian propaganda and present its narrative on the global stage. A high-level parliamentary delegation, led by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, toured the United States, United Kingdom, and European capitals. The delegation — which included Hina Rabbani Khar, Sherry Rehman, Dr. Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Tehmina Janjua, Bushra Anjum Butt, and Syed Faisal Subzwari — held meetings with senior officials and policymakers, rallying support for Pakistan’s position.
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For his leadership in spearheading this diplomatic offensive, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz at the Independence Day ceremony. Officials hailed the delegation’s efforts as vital in reinforcing Pakistan’s narrative and exposing India’s aggression to the international community.