Islamabad, March 23, 2018 (PPI-OT):The nation celebrated Pakistan Day on Friday with renewed commitment to work hard for progress and prosperity of the country. The day marks adoption of historic Lahore Resolution this day in 1940 that provided a framework for realization of the goal of a separate homeland for Muslims of South Asia. The Day dawned with 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for the progress, prosperity and solidarity of the country. It is a public holiday.
National flag was hoisted on major government buildings. The spectacular and colourful Pakistan Day Joint Services parade was held at Parade Avenue in Islamabad this morning with forces displaying their professionalism and military prowess. The impressive ceremony kicked off with the fly past of fighter jets of Pakistan Air Force led by Air Chief Mujahid Anwar Khan presenting salute to the chief guest President Mamnoon Hussain. Formations of fighter jets including F-16, JF 17, Mirage, F-17, AWACs. C-130 and P-3C Orion participated in the fly past.
Contingents of Pakistan Army, Navy, Pakistan Air Force, Special Services Groups, Frontier Corps, Rangers, Islamabad police, Nursing officers, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, marched past the dais presenting salute to the chief guest and the guest of honor. UAE troops and a Jordanian band also participated in the parade. Engineering corps also presented its state of the art equipment. Floats depicting culture of Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and the four provinces were also part of the parade. This was followed by the fly past of helicopters of Pakistan Army, PAF and Navy.
Amidst cheers and applause by the audience, formations of Sherdils and JF-17 Thunder and F-16 fighter jets presented breath-taking aerobatic manoeuvres spreading a range of colours in the skies. The parade culminated with presentation of a special song with the theme ‘Amn ka Nishan, Yeh Hamara Pakistan’. The ceremony was witnessed by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, all three services chiefs and Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and other senior civil and military officials.
For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk