- Chinese, Saudi troops & Turkish military band participated in the parade
witnessing Pakistan Day celebrations in Islamabad on Thursday. – DNA
ISLAMABAD: The 78th Pakistan Day is being celebrated nationwide today with traditional zeal and fervour.
The day dawned with 31 gun salutes in the federal capital and 21 gun salutes in the provincial metropoles, followed by a joint parade of all three forces of the military: Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force, at Shakarparian Parade Avenue in Islamabad early Thursday morning. A special feature of the parade this year is the participation of Tri-Services of People’s Liberation Army of China, Saudi Special Force’s contingents and Turkish Janissary Military band. President Mamnoon Hussain is the chief guest of the event. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif are witnessing the parade. Among other dignitaries attending the ceremony is Chief of South African National Defence Force General Solly Zacharia.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman led the flypast of the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy aviation in an F-16 plane.
Mechanised columns of various prestigious services of the country exhibited inventory of highly sophisticated and modern weaponry and arsenal.
Civil organisations also showed their material presence at the parade by exhibiting floats depicting developments achieved by the country, besides the regional culture and heritage.
Pakistan Air Force jet Shaheen is set for fly-past over the skies of Karachi later today.
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 President Bodyguards.
Mechanised columns of Armoured Corps, Artillery, Army Air Defence, Signals, Engineers, Army Strategic Force Command also participated.
In a historic first, 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.
Prior to the parade, Major General Li Chan told Chinese media in Pakistan: “We are here, as representatives of the Chinese public, to make the Pak-China friendship stronger.”
“We could feel the warmth of the Pak-China friendship upon our arrival in Pakistan,” the major general said. “I hope that the friendship between the two countries thrives and flourishes. Pakistan is China’s closest friend, best neighbour and strategic ally.”
Saudi troops also participated in the National Day parade.
The Turkish military band participated in 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.-Agencies
