ISLAMABAD – The nation is celebrating Pakistan Day today (Saturday) with a commitment to ensure progress, prosperity and a strong defence of the country.
The day is being observed to commemorate the passage of Lahore Resolution on this day in 1940, under which the Muslims of the sub-continent set the agenda of a separate homeland for themselves.
The day dawned with a thirty-one-gun salute in the federal capital and twenty-one-gun salute in provincial capitals.
Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for progress and prosperity of the country.
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After the guests arrived on the stage, the parade began with the national anthem, followed by a recitation of the Holy Quran.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad is the guest of honour in the parade. Top civil-military leadership, including President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Army Chief General Qamar Jawed Bajwa and the chiefs of Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force are witnessing the parade. The Bahraini army chief, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, and federal minister, including Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak, are also in attendance.
The main feature of the day is the grand military parade in Islamabad where contingents of the three armed forces and security forces conduct march past while jet fighters presented aerobatic manoeuvres.
The march of different floats depicting various aspects of the culture of different provinces is also part of the parade.
The change-of-guards ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Dr Allama Iqbal in Lahore and Quaid e Azam’s mausoleum in Karachi.
An investiture ceremony will also be held at Aiwan-e-Sadar in the evening where the President will confer civil awards on individuals demonstrating feats in different fields of science and arts.
One hundred and seventy-one personalities, including some foreigners, have been selected for this year’s awards.
Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television will broadcast special programmes today highlighting the struggle for Pakistan and the importance of the day.
Different organizations and societies have also arranged functions and ceremonies to commemorate the day and inculcate a spirit for progress, prosperity and defence of the country.
