It has been a year since the tragic incident in Pahalgam, where 26 innocent people, mostly tourists, lost their lives in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K). Although Pakistan was among the nations that outrightly condemned the terrorist act, the ruling Indian elite remained convinced that it was an act of Pakistan state-sponsored terrorism—a narrative that is almost always persuasive for the Indian political leadership and a significant portion of the population that follows it, unfortunately.
Islamabad, nonetheless, went a step further and even offered its support for a transparent probe into the event, but to no avail. This was followed by a three-day aerial conflict between the two rival neighbours, which was initiated by India, while the ceasefire announcement ultimately came from the White House. The rest is history.
The Indian leadership has since then insisted that Operation Sindoor 2.0 would take place; this suggests that Operation Sindoor 1.0 failed to achieve its objectives. On the other hand, Pakistan did not limit itself to restrained retaliation through Operation Bunyanum Marsoos; instead, it went a step further and began pursuing an edge over India on all fronts, calling this competitive strategy Marka-e-Haq (Battle of Truth).
In this one year, Pakistan not only presented convincing evidence and proof that the Pakistan Air Force shot down the French Rafale jets during the conflict but also convinced the international community that it was New Delhi that asked American President Donald Trump for a ceasefire. What followed was a major shift in Pakistan’s diplomatic and strategic history.
Just a couple of years before Marka-e-Haq, it was argued that “Pakistan’s foreign policy is well past its shelf life.” However, Islamabad capitalized quite effectively on its victory over India. Its diplomatic mission, under Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, strengthened Pakistan’s narrative on Indian aggression and its stance on the Kashmir issue. Pakistan was declared the diplomatic winner at the White House in 2025 vis-à-vis India by international commentators. It even recently facilitated a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran, which remains in place at the time of writing.
Nonetheless, there is no time for respite considering these major breakthroughs, along with many byproducts such as a morale boost for the Pakistani nation, increased investor confidence, strong growth in workers’ remittances, and longer-term deterrence.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Israel, the Taliban’s refusal to cooperate with Islamabad in dismantling terrorist safe havens in Afghanistan, and New Delhi’s ruling political class pledging Operation Sindoor 2.0 all indicate looming challenges for Pakistan. Otherwise, it is not a coincidence that terrorism has seen a sharp increase in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in recent years. Quite clearly, Pakistan is being targeted where it can bleed the most.
Moreover, it cannot be overlooked that New Delhi is seeking to save face after its setback during the May 2025 conflict. The region is already at a flashpoint due to last year`s conflict and the ongoing US and Israeli aggression against Iran. Any further adventure or aggression from India will only add to the prevailing instability and exacerbate the situation.
Amid all this, Islamabad also needs to address critical gaps at home. It is encouraging to see that Pakistan has finally achieved the strategic clarity this nation deserves; however, the handling of domestic affairs still suffers from confusion and inconsistent policies, particularly in the economic domain, which need to be coherent and geared toward long-term gains.
Uplifting the living standards of the people of the country. Without this, the war against foreign-funded terrorism and insurgency could be prolonged indefinitely, which is not good for the overall health of Pakistan.
To sum it up, Pakistan may have demonstrated tactical brilliance, but strategy is ultimately judged by endurance, not episodes. Victories on the external front will mean little if internal fractures continue to widen. The real test for Islamabad is not whether it can outmaneuver its rivals abroad, but whether it can stabilize its foundations at home. Stability at home complements the outcomes on the world stage. The emerging regional environment is increasingly unforgiving of half-measures. If Marka-e-Haq is to be more than a moment, it must define a lasting strategic shift, and Pakistan should continue to adapt its domestic and foreign policy in line with evolving national and global dynamics. Otherwise, today’s breakthroughs may quietly turn into tomorrow’s missed opportunities. And if pursued wisely, this moment can become the foundation of a more confident, resilient, and strategically secure future.
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