Pakistan, May 10 -- President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan was recognised as a state that not only knew how to defend itself but also served as a guarantor of peace and stability.

In a message on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, he said, "In the context of recent tensions in West Asia, Pakistan, through responsible and balanced diplomacy, played a key role in facilitating a ceasefire between the United States and Iran and bringing both sides to the negotiating table."

He said, "One year ago, Pakistan was put to the test, and it did not blink. The events of April and May last year were not simply a military episode. They were a moment of national reckoning. When India, under the guise of the Pahalgam false flag operation, launched...