Nation celebrates Pakistan Day with traditional zeal

ISLAMABAD: The nation celebrated Pakistan Day on Friday with renewed commitment to work hard for progress and prosperity of the country. The day marks the adoption of historic Lahore Resolution in 1940 that provided a framework for realisation of the goal of a separate homeland for the Muslims of South Asia. The day dawned with 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in all the provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for the progress, prosperity and solidarity of the country. It was a public holiday. National flag was hoisted on major government buildings. A spectacular joint military parade was held at the Parade Ground near Shakarparian in Islamabad to mark the Pakistan Day. The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran. President Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Defence Minister Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman General Zubair Mehmood Hayat, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi and Chief of Air Staff Mujahid Anwar Khan also attended the ceremony. The special feature of this year’s parade was Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s participation, who was the guest of honour for the event. The Indian press attache also attended the parade. Grand Mufti of Egypt Dr Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam was also present. Besides a large number of diplomats from several countries, artists and people from different walks of life attended the ceremony. Contingents of Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy held a march-past and salute to the president of Pakistan. As per tradition, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan led a fly-past as a salute to the president. ISLAMABAD: Female Military band of UAE performs during 78th ‘Pakistan Day parade ceremony. INP PHOTO Pakistan armed forces troops including Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers, Northern Light Infantry, Mujahid Battalion, Tri Services Lady Officers, Tri Services Armed Forces Nursing Services, Special Services Group and President Bodyguards also took part in the parade. Troops from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) participated in the parade for the first time. A marching band from Jordon also featured in the parade for the first time. Army Aviation and Pakistan Air Force jets showcased scintillating aerobatic skills on the occasion. The combat and attack helicopters and skydivers of airborne units of the Pakistan Armed Forces demonstrated breathtaking skills. The fighter jets of Pakistan Air Force which took part in the fly-past included F-16 Fighting Falcon, JF-17 Thunder, Mirage and other surveillance aircrafts. Another feature of this year’s ceremony was the demonstration of Turkish air planes. Civil organisations also showed their material presence at the parade by exhibiting floats, depicting developments achieved by the country as well as the regional culture and heritage. Cultural delegates from Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan featured during the ceremony, depicting country’s diverse culture. Following the soldiers’ parade and demonstration of cultural delegates, mechanised columns of various prestigious services of the country exhibited inventory of highly sophisticated and modern weaponry and arsenal. Pakistan armed forces displayed tanks and other weapon systems in the parade. Pakistan Army tanks, including the Al Khalid and Al Zarrar presented gun salutes to the president. Radar systems and other weapons equipped with state-of-the-art military technology were also shown. The Ghauri missile, the Shaheen missile and the NASR missile as well as the Babur cruise missile were also exhibited in the parade. Lahore In Lahore, a contingent of Pakistan Air Force took charge of Mazar-e-Iqbal in a simple but graceful ceremony. Commander of PAF Base Lahore Air Commodore Syed Sabahat Hassan laid floral wreath on the grave of the national poet and offered prayers. A simple but graceful civilian awards distribution ceremony was held at Governor’s House in Lahore. Governor Rafique Rajwana conferred awards on personalities from various walks of life in recognition of their meritorious services for the country. Karachi Governor Mohammad Zubair and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah along with cabinet members visited the Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi. They laid floral wreath at the Mazar and offered fateha. Talking to media on the occasion, the governor said Karachi is now a peaceful city for which security forces have worked continuously and rigorously. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that everyone must work hard to make the country stronger and ensure the democratic process continues. Peshawar Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra at a function in Peshawar gave awards to distinguished personalities. The martyrs and ghazis of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police were awarded Quaid-e-Azam Police and President Police medals. The governor also distributed laptops among children of martyred police officers for their excellent academic achievements. Quetta In connection with the Pakistan Day, an investiture ceremony was held at the Governor House in Quetta. Governor Mohammad Khan Achakzai gave away Quaid-i-Azam Police Medal to Inspector General of Balochistan Police Moazzam Jah Ansari for his outstanding services for restoring peace in the province. Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan day was also celebrated in Gilgit-Baltistan with traditional zeal and solemnity on Friday. Twenty one gun salute was presented in the morning. A colorful gala organised by Pakistan Army in Jutial Helipad was held. Contingents of Pak Army, GB Scouts, police, boys and girls scouts took part in march-past. A grand cultural show was also held. Published in Daily Times, March 24th 2018.