Military parade held in capital to mark Pakistan Day
- By Web Desk -
- Mar 23, 2018
ISLAMABAD: The nation celebrated 78th Pakistan Day on Friday with traditional zeal and fervour and a renewed commitment to work hard for progress and prosperity of the country.
The main feature of the day was the spectacular military parade held at the Parade Ground, Shakarparian. President Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest on the occasion. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena wass the guest of honour at the event.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and the three services chiefs also witnessed the Pakistan day parade. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan led a fly-past followed by several other squadrons of the Pakistan Air Force to salute the head of the state.
Pakistan Army, PAF, Pakistan Navy, Frontier Corps and Pakistan Rangers contingents held a march-past and a salute to the president of Pakistan. The parade also included troops of Frontier Force Regiment, Northern Light Infantry Regiment, Mujahid Battalion, Tri Services Lady Officers, Tri Services Armed Forces Nursing Services, Special Services Group, and President Bodyguards.
Th contingents of Armoured and Mechanised Infantry also held a march past. Pakistan Army tanks Al-Khalid and Al-Zarrar, radar systems, NASR missile, Shaheen, Ghauri and the Babur cruise missiles and other weapons equipped with military technology were also rolled out.
This was followed by various troupes highlighting the culture of Pakistan with floats from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
Afterwards, PAF fighter jets conducted fly-pasts with impressive manoeuvres. Skydivers from the three armed forces demonstrated their ability to jump with the national flag. The parade was concluded by commandos from the tri-services conducting a paradrop after which a national song was performed.
The day was dawn with 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered for the progress, prosperity and solidarity of the country. The national flag was hoisted on major government buildings.
An investiture ceremony will be held at Aiwan-e-Sadar in the evening where President Mamnoon Hussain would confer awards and medals to personalities for their outstanding contribution in different fields.
This year a total of 141 Pakistanis as well as foreign nationals will be conferred civil awards. Former Cuban President Fidel Castro will be honoured with posthumous Nishan-e-Pakistan, while late human rights champion Asma Jahangir will be awarded a posthumous Nishan-e-Imtiaz for her undying services.
Pakistan Day marks adoption of the historic Lahore Resolution in 1940 that provided a framework for a separate homeland for Muslims in the Indian subcontinent.
[bs-quote quote=”India has threatened regional peace” style=”default” align=”center” author_name=”Mamnoon Hussain” author_job=”President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan” author_avatar=”https://arynews.tv/en/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Mamnoon-Hussain.jpg”][/bs-quote]
President Mamnoon Hussain delivered his speech welcoming the Sri Lankan president, and troops from Turkey, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates to the parade.
The president strongly condemned India for threatening regional peace by violations at the Line of Control and Working Boundary and killing innocent civilians. He warned India to stop the atrocities along the border.
He reiterated that the only solution to the Kashmir issue is providing the right of self-determination to Kashmiri people, and Pakistan will continue to play its role in this regard.
He said that cooperation for international peace is the base of the country’s foreign policy, and that Pakistan extends a hand of cooperation to regional countries but it would be mistake if the gesture was taken as as sign of weakness.
He paid tribute to the founders of the nation for their efforts for the creation of Pakistan, and emphasised the importance of peace and stability for the country’s progress. He also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Pakistan movement.
The president spoke about the situation in Pakistan, saying peace was destroyed in the country in the last three decades. He lauded the armed forces as well as the nation for eliminating terrorism from the country under operations Raddul Fasaad and Zarb-i-Azb.
Presdient Hussain paid tribute to the martyrs of the country and advised the officers to fulfill their duties with courage and honesty. He announced a new medal “Tamgha-e-Azm” for those who rendered sacrifices for restoration of peace.
Watch Pakistan Day Parade 2018 in Full Length
Pakistan Day Parade – 23 March 2018 https://t.co/QSSc1Tx8GH
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) March 23, 2018