The nation is celebrating Pakistan Day today (Wednesday).
The day marks the historic event in 1940 when the Lahore Resolution was passed demanding a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent, dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif are witnessing the parade.
Armed forces hold march-past
Contingents of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Frontier Corps and Pakistan Rangers held a march-past and performed a salute to President of Pakistan.
Troops of the parade including foot columns of the Pakistan Army, navy, air force, Frontier Corps, Northern Light Infantry, Mujahid Force, Islamabad Police, tri-service Lady officers, tri-service Armed Forces Nursing Service, Girls Guide, Boys Scouts, Special Service Group from three Services, mechanised columns of Armoured Corps, Artillery, Army Air Defence, Signals, Engineers, Army Strategic Force Command, Camel Band and President’s body guards.
Pakistan Army’s tanks, including Al-Khalid and Al Zarrar tanks, also performed gun salute in front of the chief guest on the occasion.
President Mamnoon Hussain delivered a speech to the participants of the parade in which he lauded Pakistan Army’s sacrifices and repeated that Operation Zarb-i-Azb, the anti-terror operation started after the Karachi airport attack, will not be stopped until the elimination of last terrorist from Pakistani soil.
He reiterated the country’s stance that Pakistan’s nuclear stockpile is for country’s safety and it does not intend to go to war with any country unless forced to take such a route.
“We are a peaceful nation and have never participated in any arms race,” the president said
“This parade shows our resolve to fight all the enemies of our beloved country. This display of weaponry and skills shows that our forces are next to none in bravery, courage and valour,” said the president.
The president said many a detractors predicted a bleak future of Pakistan but today, the whole world recognises Pakistan as a reality.
“Kashmir is our jugular vein and we will continue our moral, political and diplomatic support for our Kashmiri brethren,” he said.
Chief of Air Staff leads fly-past
Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sohail Aman leads a fly-past of Pakistan Air Force jets presented to President Mamnoon Hussain over the parade venue.
Parade commences
The highlight of the day is the joint military parade which being held at the Parade Ground near the Shakarparian hills in Islamabad.
Personnel from all three services, Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force, are participating in the parade.
The ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem.
The arrival of President Mamnoon Hussain, the chief guest of the event, started the proceedings.
The celebrations for the day were kicked off shortly after midnight on Tuesday with a grand fireworks display at the Minar-i-Pakistan in Lahore, the site where the historic Lahore Resolution was passed on March 23, 1940.
Special prayers were offered in mosques after morning prayers for the integrity and solidarity of the country.
Pakistan held a similar parade last year to mark Republic Day after a gap of seven years in Islamabad.
This year, Pakistan Day will be celebrated at the United Nations for the first time, with a concert planned in the prestigious General Assembly hall.
Change of guard in Lahore
Earlier during the day, the Pakistan Air Force held a change of guard ceremony at the mausoleum of national poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal in Lahore.
Gun-salute
A 31-gun salute was fired before sunrise to commemorate Pakistan Day in the federal capital city. Similarly 21-gun salutes were fired in the provincial capital cities.
Elaborate security
Stringent security measures have been taken in view of the military parade.
Cellphone services will remain suspended from 5am to 3pm in twin cities.
Rawalpindi Police as part of security measures for Pakistan Day have depoloyed around 2000 policemen to avoid any untoward incident.
Heavy vehicles will not be allowed to enter the city on March 23 and all the entry and exit points of the city will be sealed.
