Nation celebrates Pakistan Day with patriotic zeal & zest

ISLAMABAD, March 23 (SABAH): The whole nation has celebrated the 82nd Pakistan Day with zeal and fervor on March 23, with the joint armed forces parade held in the federal capital to exhibit the country’s military prowess and cultural diversities.

President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Naval Chief Admiral Ajmal Khan Niazi, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza and Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak attended the parade.

The parade included contingents of the tri-services, paramilitary forces and civil armed forces. One of the important highlights of the parade was the fly-past of the newly inducted J-10C fighter jets. The J-10C aircrafts, equipped with cutting-edge technology, were inducted into the Pakistan Air Force’s squadron earlier this month.

The dignitaries participating in the 48th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation also witnessed the Pakistan Day Parade as Guests of Honor.

Pakistan Day holds a significant place in the history of the country. Pakistan Day is celebrated each year on March 23 to mark the passage of the Lahore Resolution that led to the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of South Asia in 1947. The historic resolution, known as the Pakistan Resolution, was approved on March 23, 1940.

Special dua ceremonies were held at the mosques after Fajr prayers for eradication of coronavirus from the country and also seeking solidarity, integrity and prosperity of the country. The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals.

The National flag has been hoisted at all major government buildings.

A prestigious change of guards ceremony was at the mausoleum of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal in connection with.

A smartly turned out contingent of the Pakistan Air Force assumed ceremonial guard duties with traditional spirit and enthusiasm.

Air Vice Marshal Zubair Hassan was chief guest on the occasion. He laid a floral wreath at the grave of Dr Iqbal, and prayed for progress and prosperity of the country on the occasion. He also penned down his impressions in the Visitors’ book.