ISLAMABAD – A grand parade by joint armed forces showcasing Pakistan’s military might on the eve of the 78th Pakistan Day was held near Shakarparian Hills, Islamabad.
Pakistan Day is celebrated to mark the Lahore Resolution on March 23 each year. The Lahore Resolution, also known as Pakistan Resolution, passed on March 23, 1940, is considered a major milestone in the Muslim struggle for an independent state.
Contingents from friendly countries including China, Turkey and UAE also participated in the parade at the official ceremony. This year, it is the first time that a contingent from the UAE military take part in parade along with Pakistan armed forces.
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The special feature of this year’s parade is Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena’s participation, who is the guest of honour of the event. The participation of Sri Lankan president in the parade is a demonstration of close friendly ties between the two countries.
President Mamnoon Hussain is the chief guest of the event. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Defence Minister Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan, Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of Air Staff Mujahid Anwar Khan and chairman joint chiefs of staff committee are also present to witness the pageantry.
In the ceremony, newly appointed Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar led the fly-past and presented salute to the chief guest of the ceremony, President Mamnoon Hussain, and other participants.
The government authorities made strict security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident. Cellular phone networks in the capital were suspended and roads leading to the Parade Ground are heavily guarded.
President Mamnoon Hussain’s Speech
President Mamnoon Hussain addressing the ceremony welcome Sri Lankan president, and troops from the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Turkey.
He said that Pakistan’s foreign policy revolved around cooperation for international peace, adding that the Islamic country extended a hand of cooperation to regional countries.
He warned that Pakistan’s peace-loving attitude should not be taken as a weakness as it will be a dangerous mistake.
President also slammed Indian attacks along the Line of Control and Working Boundary. He said that Pakistan will continue to its support for freedom movements in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He also warned India against suppressing freedom movements.
He paid tribute to the founders of the country, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, for his creating a separate country for Muslims. He also paid a rich tribute to the martyrs of the Pakistan movement.
