ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/KARACHI, March 23: The nation celebrated Pakistan Day on Wednesday with renewed commitment to defeat the forces of extremism and terrorism and work hard for the progress, prosperity and stability of the country.
The day dawned with 31-gun salute at the federal capital and 21-gun salutes at the provincial capitals. It was a public holiday and national flag was hoisted at all major government and private buildings.
Special prayers were offered after Fajr prayers for the security, progress and solidarity of the country.
The day marks the Lahore Resolution passed in 1940 by the All India Muslim League which became the basis of establishing an independent state for Muslims of the sub-continent.
The main feature of the day is the military parade at the parade avenue in Islamabad where armed forces conduct march past and fighter jets present aerobatic manoeuvres.
President Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest while Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the services were also present in the parade.
Special security arrangements were put in place in the twin cities to avert any untoward incident. Mobile phone services was suspended in the twin cities.
The impressive ceremony of Pakistan Day parade kicked off with a splendid fly past of aircraft of Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy led by Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman.
The formations of F-16, JF-17 thunder, Mirage, F-7PG AWACs, P-3C Orion presented salute to the chief guest by flying over the dais.
Different regiments of Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, Rangers, Police, SSG and girl guides marched past the dais presenting salute to the President.
Mechanized columns including tanks, rocket launchers, indigenously developed short and long-range missiles, radars and unmanned aerial vehicles were showcased at the parade.
Floats depicting culture of the four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan were also part of the parade. The skydivers of the Special Services Groups presented heart touching and thrilling free fall from ten thousand feet while carrying the national flags and those of three services.
The ceremony culminated with presentation of national songs by the students of different schools.
A simple but graceful change of guard ceremony was held at Mazar-e-Iqbal in Lahore.
A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force took charge of guards duty from Punjab Rangers.
The Base Commander of PAF Base Lahore, Air Commodore Salman Mehboob who was chief guest laid floral wreath over the grave of national poet and offered fateha.
Governor Sindh Dr. Ishratual Ebad Khan and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah along with members of the Sindh cabinet visited the Mazaar Quaid-e- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinna and laid floral wreath and offered fateha.
They paid rich tributes to the founder of the nation for his great struggle for the Muslims of subcontinent. – Sabah
