Pakistani officials and military leaders recently observed the first anniversary of Operation Marka-e-Haq, a 2025 military campaign along the Indo-Pak border.
The commemorations highlight the government's effort to synchronize military action with a state-led media strategy to project a specific national narrative. This coordination is viewed by officials as essential for countering external perceptions of the conflict.
Also known as Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, the campaign was launched in 2025 to counter what Pakistani officials said was Indian false-flag aggression [2]. There are conflicting reports regarding the exact start date of the operation, with some records citing April 22, 2025 [2], while others state it began on May 10, 2025 [1].
During the anniversary events held in April 2026 [3], the government emphasized the role of information management. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Information Secretary Ambreen Jan did a good job promoting Pakistan's narrative on a global level [4]. This focus on the "battle of development" follows the military success of the operation, according to Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal [4].
The military's internal cohesion was further highlighted at a graduation ceremony in Risalpur. During the event, the Navy chief said the Pakistan Air Force performed well during Marka-e-Haq [5]. The joint nature of the operation involved the Air Force, Army, and Navy in a coordinated effort to secure the border regions.
State media has been credited with maintaining a responsible role during the crisis. Officials said the media's ability to align with the state's strategic goals set an example for future national security events [6].
“Operation Marka-e-Haq was launched to counter what Pakistani officials said was Indian false-flag aggression.”
The emphasis on the 'narrative' and the role of the Information Secretary suggests that the Pakistani government views information warfare as an equal component to kinetic military action. By celebrating the media's role alongside the military's performance, the state is signaling a move toward a more integrated civil-military communication strategy during border conflicts.
