ISLAMABAD: Nation celebrated the Pakistan Day on Wednesday with a commitment to ensure progress, prosperity and a strong defence of the country.
The day is observed to commemorate the passage of historic Lahore Resolution on 23rd March in 1940, under which Muslims of the sub-continent set the agenda of a separate homeland for themselves. The day dawned with thirty-one-gun salute in the federal capital and twenty-one-gun salute in the provincial capitals.
Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajar prayers for progress and prosperity of the country. Theme of this year Pakistan Day is “Shaad Rahy Pakistan”. The spectacular and colorful Pakistan Day Military parade was held at Parade Avenue here in Islamabad on Wednesday with three wings of the armed forces displaying their professionalism and military prowess.
The impressive ceremony kicked off with the fly past of fighter jets of Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy led by Air Chief Zaheer Ahmad Babar presenting salute to the chief guest President Dr Arif Alvi. Formations of fighter jets including J-10C, F-16, Mirage and P-3C participated in the fly past. Contingents of Pakistan Army, Navy, Pakistan Air Force, Special Services Groups, Frontier Corps, Rangers, Islamabad police marched past the dais presenting salute to the chief guest.
Participants of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) Council of Foreign Minister conference including Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi were special guests of the Pakistan Day parade. Addressing the parade, President Dr Arif Alvi reiterated the resolve to take Pakistan to the heights of glory as envisioned by forefathers. The President emphasized the need for national unity to face the challenges confronting Pakistan and highlighted the responsible role played by the country for peace and security in the region.
The President warned India to stop its persecution campaign in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir as the freedom movements cannot be suppressed through the use of brute force. Paying tribute to security forces for restoring peace in the country, the President stressed that we need to remain steadfast in our fight against terrorists so that these elements do not regroup again.