Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The nation celebrated the Pakistan Day today (March 23) with a firm resolve to work harder to strengthen national security and solidarity.

The day marks the adoption of the historic Lahore Resolution this day in 1940 that provided a framework for the 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 a 21-gun salute in provincial capitals followed by a joint parade of all three forces of the military: Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force, at Shakarparian Parade Avenue in the federal capital early on Thursday morning.

A special feature of the parade this year was the participation of the Tri Services of the People’s Liberation Army of China, the Saudi Special Force’s contingents and the Turkish Jannisary Military band. Special prayers were also offered in mosques after Fajr (dawn) prayers for the progress, prosperity and solidarity of the country.

President Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest of the event. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah and the Defence Minister Khawaja Asif witnessed the parade. Among other dignitaries who attended the ceremony was Chief of South African National Defence Force General Solly Zacharia.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, led the flypast of the Pakistan Air Force and the Pakistan Navy aviation in an F-16 plane. The troops which took part in the parade included contingents of the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, 18 Punjab Regiment, 21 Frontier Force Regiment, 10 Northern Light Infantry Regiment, 760 Mujahid Battalion, Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Rangers Punjab, Paratroopers, Pakistan Police (represented by the Islamabad Police), Tri Services Lady Officers, Tri Services Armed Forces Nursing Services, Boy Scouts, Pakistan Girl Guides, Special Services Group (SSG) and the President Bodyguards.

Mechanised columns of Armoured Corps, Artillery, Army Air Defence, Signals, Engineers, Army Strategic Force Command also participated. In a historic first, the Chinese troops took part in the March 23 parade. A 90-member Chinese delegation had arrived in Pakistan on Monday to participate in the parade. Saudi troops held a march-past and performed a salute to the President of Pakistan. The Turkish military band participated in the Pakistan Day parade for the first time ever. The band, known as ‘mehtar’ in Turkish, is the oldest military band in the world, dating back to 1299. An investiture ceremony will be held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in the evening wherein the President would confer awards and medals on different personalities for their outstanding contribution in different fields.

To celebrate the Pakistan Day, an impressive flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, India, this morning. Meanwhile, the flag hoisting ceremony on the 77th National Day of Pakistan was held at the High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The messages of President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were read out on the occasion.