Nation Celebrates Pakistan Day With Commitment To Ensure Progress, Strong Defense

The nation observed Pakistan Day on Saturday (23rd March) with a renewed pledge to make Pakistan a developed and progressive country with a strong defence.On the occasion,

ISLAMABAD (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / NNI - 23rd March, 2019) The nation observed Pakistan Day on Saturday (23rd March) with a renewed pledge to make Pakistan a developed and progressive country with a strong defence.On the occasion, ceremonies mark commemoration of the passage of Lahore Resolution on this day in 1940, under which the Muslims of the sub-continent set the agenda of a separate homeland for themselves.The day was dawned with thirty-one-gun salute in the Federal capital and twenty-one-gun salute each in provincial capitals.Special prayers were offered in mosques after prayers for progress and prosperity of the country.The main feature of the day was a spectacular military parade at Parade Avenue in Islamabad where three wings of the armed forces demonstrated their professionalism and military prowess.Contingents of Pakistan Armed Forces marched past the dais presenting salute to the chief guest and the guest of honor.The parade also featured troops from Azerbaijan, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bahrain and Sri Lanka.Mechanized columns including tanks, armored personnel carriers, rocket launchers, air defense system, tactical communication system, indigenously built UAVs, short and long ranged missiles Ra'ad, Nasr, Ghauri and Shaheen were showcased on the occasion.Formations of fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force, Turkish and Chinese air forces presented breathtaking aerobatic maneuvers spreading a range of colors in the skies.Paratroopers from Pakistan Army, Air Force and Navy demonstrated marvelous free fall.

There was also similar demonstration by the paratroopers from Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Bahrain and Brunai.Floats depicting culture of Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and the four provinces added colour to the celebrations.Prime Minister Imran Khan, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mehmood Hayat, Services Chiefs witnessed the parade.Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was the guest of honor of the parade.In Lahore, a graceful change of guards ceremony was held at Mazar-e-Iqbal in Lahore morning in connection with Pakistan Day.A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force assumed guards' durty at the Mazar.

Base Commander of PAF, Air Commodore Syed Sabahat Hassan, who was chief guest on this occasion, laid floral wreath on behalf of Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force and People of Pakistan.He also offered Fateha and recorded impressions in the visitors' book.In Karachi, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah along with the cabinet members visited the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.They laid floral wreaths at the Mazar and offered fateha and paid tribute to the great leader for untiring efforts that paved the way of acquiring a separate homeland for the Muslims of Sub-Continent.Speaking on the occasion, they said that the day requires us to renew our resolve to work for country's stability, unity and progress.In Khuber Pakhtunkhwa, Main function in connection with Pakistan Day was held in Peshawar.Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Farman was chief guest on the occasion.He gave awards to distinguished personalities.Tamgha-e-Imtiaz was given to Vice Chancellor Abbottabad University Professor Dr.

Iftikhar Ahmad for his extraordinary services in the field of education.Akhtar Gul was awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for his exemplary services in security and law and order maintenance.Khwaja Safar Ali was awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for his services in Handicrafts Art.Cricketer Yasir Shah was given Sitara-e-Imtiaz for his extraordinary performance in cricket.In Balochistan, People of Balochistan, including those of provincial capital Quetta are also celebrating Pakistan Day with full national enthusiasm.In this connection a music concert is going was at Polo Ground in Quetta Cantt under the auspices of Pak Army.

Popular singers will perform at the music concert.In Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan Day was also celebrated in Gilgit Baltistan with national zeal.In this connection an award distribution ceremony was held in Governor House Gilgit where Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon conferred awards on behalf of President of Pakistan.Special ceremonies were held in Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar Diamer, Astore and Baltistan division.

NNI