Marka-e-Haq: Honouring Pakistan’s Eternal Struggle for Justice and Freedom

Pakistan is celebrating its 78th Independence Day, the national feeling runs high as the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan to the Karachi Shores. The celebrations of this year, with its magnificent theme Marka-e-Haq- the Battle of Truth, are not ceremonial only. They are the throbbing pulse of a nation that has preserved its independence though, over the past eighty years, by misfortunes, treacheries as well as brazen attacks.

The centre of the festivities is the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad now turned into a colourful arena of national pride. The unity between the civilian and the defence institutions in the state is evident by the presence of President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, major ministers and senior military leadership. The role of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is representative of symbolism as the state is reminded that the freedom of Pakistan has always been guarded by the unwavering commitment of the armed services in the country.

The JF-17 Thunder fly past sweeping over the skies is not just an aerial show as it is the roar of a nation which has developed its defence with indigenous innovation and sheer force of will. The aircraft is a result of the joint efforts of Pakistan with China and has tested in combat readiness, and the story of the aircraft reflects the story of Pakistan; self-reliant, adaptive and not compromising to external forces.

Even the national breach in reference to Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos in this Independence Day promotes the notion that the sovereignty of Pakistan is not a negotiable matter. There has been no parallel of such high precision counter-terrorism operation in history, which means the level of professional quality of the Pakistan Army, and security forces is unmatched. It destroyed enemy networks and revealed secret interferences by other outsiders and ensured internal stability of Pakistan.

Under the backdrop of Marka-e-Haq, the operation expresses the eternal war upon telling the truth against lies, safeguarding the homeland against terrorism in any of its forms, and making sure that Pakistan as a nation would rather keep its territory intact.

The geopolitical subtext reaches a clear face as well in the theme of this year celebrations. The leaders of Pakistan have found their voice in the past few months on Indian destabilising acts not only in the region but also on its hand in water aggression and promoting terrorism via proxies. Not only have the designs of Asim Munir been brought out in the international forums through his military diplomacy, but his activities have also made Pakistan heard in the halls of global influence.

The Independence Day message is categorical; any misadventure shall definitely receive a decisive and also commensurate action. It is policy, not rhetoric and it is informed by the bitter experience of history, since 1947 to this very day.

Among the military regalia and political determination, the chant by the national leaders to not engage in wasteful spending and instead give to poor, needy, orphans, and widows shows the moral aspect of the independence of Pakistan. The real meaning of freedom does not lie on just the sovereignty over territory but compassion, equality and the sharing of wealth.

The freedom gained with a huge sacrifice of blood of martyrs, the strength of the millions of displaced individuals, and the spirit of leaders who saw a vision of a land where people would be freed of humiliation as citizens of a new land took place. Such a vision requires people to go beyond ceremonial displays and asks its citizens to become custodians of social justice.

Marka-e-Haq also derives its power in the fact that there is an immortal relationship between Pakistan and Kashmir. This is not a bond of convenience but a bond of shared history and faith and sacrifice. Notwithstanding the fact that India is still occupying and repressing the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the civil and military leadership of Pakistan have reaffirmed its undying political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of Kashmir.

This Independence Day we know what the message is, that the freedom of Pakistan cannot be complete with the freedom of Kashmir. Haq of overcoming the truth is inseparable with the struggle of self-determination of Kashmiris within a framework of United Nations resolutions.

The 78th Independence Day comes at the moment when Pakistan has undertaken considerable achievements despite the insurmountable odds. There is increased diplomacy and better relations with the Muslim world and rebuilding of connections with neighbours such as Bangladesh. Despite the strain, the economy is proving to be resilient due to focused reforms, a growth in exports and strategic investment in technology and infrastructure.

The military is also in the process of modernization, earning international status as it keeps demonstrating operational superiority as shown during its peacekeeping operations to multination international joint exercises. Pakistani art, sporting activities, as well as cinema, are also breaking through boundaries in the cultural domain as Pakistani national identity acquires a self-assured image in the foreign world.

Marka-e-Haq is not an incidental choice of the theme. It symbolizes a 78-year struggle of the people of Pakistan- to achieve some truth in the face of conflicted and competing narratives. Pakistan has been unwavering in fighting either the propaganda that misrepresents history, challenges foreign sponsored terrorism or it reveals in international engagements or it is on the thorns of double standards in foreign relations.

Independence Day festivities with the roar of fighter jets, and the tunes of patriotic music all weigh upon that truth. They do remind citizens that struggle to achieve justice, honour and freedom is still going on and they need to be alert always.

With national unity, vision of the leadership, and the boldness of the defenders, the future of Pakistan lies with the green and white flag in the whole country. The 78 th Independence Day is a festival and a reminder, commitment to a nation that will never succumb to slavery, inequality, and inhumanity.

Marka-e-Haq does not limit the day of celebration. It is an endless journey to preserve the truth and the rights of the oppressed people and to defend the homeland against any external and internal threats. Pakistan was born out of sacrifices of 1947 and succeeding triumphs today, and it can be proven beyond doubt that building nations on the lines of truth cannot be brought down.

And so the festivities commence, with thanks to God, pride in the history of the country and belief in the future. Pakistan is just 78 years and that is all. The spirit of fighting to save the truth, justice and freedom will go on till the generations.