RISALPUR — Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu on Tuesday declared that Pakistan had “successfully emerged as a regional stabiliser” following the month-long conflict with India earlier this year, officially termed Marka-i-Haq by the Pakistan Army. His remarks came during a charged and ceremonially rich passing-out parade at PAF Academy Asghar Khan in Risalpur, Nowshera district, where newly commissioned officers took their oaths against the backdrop of heightened national security tensions and renewed confidence in Pakistan’s military capabilities.
Addressing cadets, officers, dignitaries and foreign guests, ACM Sidhu said that Pakistan’s conduct and military performance during the conflict had “redefined the regional power balance”, adding that the state had emerged stronger diplomatically and operationally. “In the wake of Marka-i-Haq, Pakistan has successfully emerged as a net stabiliser in this part of the world,” he declared. “As a responsible nuclear power, our relations with key global and regional powers have further strengthened, which is a testimony to the untiring effort of our diplomatic strategy and credible military prowess.”
The “Marka-i-Haq” Episode
The May conflict — spanning from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the May 10 missile exchange under Operation Bunyan um Marsoos — has been described by Pakistan’s armed forces as one of the most intense and consequential in recent years. ACM Sidhu praised the unified civil-military response: “The people of Pakistan and its armed forces defeated the enemy with far greater numerical might. This resounding success was the outcome of a unified approach by all elements of national power, and above all, Allah’s special blessing.”
He lauded the leadership of the national command structure, stating that the victory reflected “well-executed tri-service synergy, aggressive decision-making, and full support of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.” The air chief also described the conflict as a “modern hybrid confrontation” that tested every branch of Pakistan’s defence apparatus.
‘First-Ever Full-Spectrum Multi-Domain Operation’
Highlighting what he called a historic leap for the PAF, ACM Sidhu stated that Marka-i-Haq marked the first time the air force conducted a full-spectrum, multi-domain operation integrating space assets, cyber capabilities, electronic warfare, unmanned aerial systems, killer drones, long-range precision vectors and loitering munitions.
He recalled the May 7 aerial engagements, noting that the downing of multiple Indian jets during beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat was “being regarded globally as one of the most intense and longest BVR vs BVR battles of modern aerial history.” On the subsequent missile exchange of May 10, he said Pakistan’s response was “calibrated and paralysing,” executed jointly with the Pakistan Army, striking deep targets from the north to the south of enemy territory. He added that Pakistani forces neutralised India’s S-400 system and command-and-control centres: “Our operations were balanced with a single aim — peace with honour.”
The PAF chief said the range and capabilities of the NASTP were “expanding at an unprecedented pace”, adding that “a host of indigenous projects are still in the pipeline that are being vigorously pursued”.https://t.co/s6IkI72fGi
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 2, 2025
Modernisation and Indigenous Capability
The air chief stressed that Pakistan’s performance during the conflict was the result of sustained reforms. “This success was not an isolated event but the outcome of a comprehensive strategy of restructuring, indigenisation and modernisation campaigns undertaken in recent years,” he said.
The PAF’s doctrine, according to ACM Sidhu, has undergone a “paradigm shift”, incorporating advanced combat-support technologies and indigenous platforms developed under the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP). “Our smartly executed homeground kill chain — comprising unmanned systems, EW capabilities, space assets and cyber operations — forms the core of our multi-domain strategy,” he said, adding that NASTP’s projects were advancing at a “historic pace”.
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Regional Dynamics and Warning to Adversaries
Referring indirectly to India, the air chief warned that Pakistan’s rising geopolitical relevance was “a growing concern for our adversary”, which he accused of exploiting every opportunity to malign the country internationally. He noted that while Pakistan “wishes to maintain friendly relations with all, especially neighbours,” any challenge to its sovereignty would be met with overwhelming force. “Our adversary will find Pakistan’s armed forces even harder and better prepared,” he asserted.
Values, Character and Institutional Integrity
ACM Sidhu emphasised institutional values as the backbone of military strength, saying that the organisation’s credibility and character dictate its operational success. “Every claim of the PAF is based on evidence and undeniable hard facts,” he said, reinforcing the narrative that Pakistan’s performance during the conflict was rooted in professional excellence.
Address to Graduating Cadets
Turning to the newly commissioned officers, the air chief congratulated them on joining what he described as “one of the most distinguished, respected and professional air forces of the world.” He highlighted that their training reflected a new model centred on “future-focused technological interface”, character development, leadership, mental resilience and physical robustness.
He also welcomed Saudi cadets participating in the ceremony, calling their presence symbolic of the “strong friendship and enduring defence cooperation” between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Looking Ahead
The PAF chief closed his address with a message of vigilance and preparedness. While celebrating recent successes “with humility”, he stressed that the armed forces remain focused on future threats. “The enemy’s rhetoric continues to suggest otherwise, and we will not be complacent,” he warned.
With Pakistan’s air force emerging from Marka-i-Haq with renewed confidence, ACM Sidhu’s speech projected a dual message: celebration of military success and a clear signal that Pakistan intends to maintain and strengthen its strategic posture in an increasingly complex regional environment.
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