Pakistan Day March 23 Annual Military Parade Watched By OIC Officials

On Wednesday the nation celebrated Pakistan day, the Pak army exhibited their strength in the annual army parade taking place in Islamabad where the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) delegations taking part in the 48th Session of OIC also watched the parade as the guests of honor.

Pakistan Day celebrates the Lahore Resolution passed on Mar 23, 1940, in which the All India Muslim League made a demand of a separate Muslim nation from the British India Empire.

The day started with a 31-canon gun salute in Islamabad and a 21-canon gun salute in all provincial capitals of the country, as per the Radio Pakistan announcement.

The ceremony for the change of guards was also taking place in the tomb of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi and the tomb of Allama Iqbal in Lahore.

As per the media reports prayers for Pakistan's prosperity and progress were also offered after the Fajr prayer in the mosques.

The main event of the day was an army parade in the capital city of Islamabad where three army contingents and security forces marched and PAF fighter jets has shown the aerobatics.

Contingents of other countries which include Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Turkey, and Azerbaijan have also taken part in the parade.

President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Khan, federal ministers, three services chiefs, officials, and foreign ministers from 57 Muslim nations and members of OIC were also present at the occasion.

After the captivating PAF fighter jets show, the Army, Navy, and PAF parachuters exhibited their expertise of 10,000 feet free-fall. Then the Pakistan flag was presented to President Alvi by General Officer Commanding of the SSG, Major General Adil Rehmani, and elite commandos from the military, after that the parachuters have received the gun salute.

After the presentation, the floats of each province representing their culture took the round of venue. This year Jammu and Kashmir floats were also presented for the first time, featuring the well-known Dargah Hazratbal miniature from Srinagar, along with martyred freedom fighters of occupied Kashmir, banners displayed on it.

President Alvi stated in his address that Pakistan is a responsible atomic power and we want peace with all nations and respect their sovereignty. He also expressed that Pakistan's sovereignty and security would never be compromised and any aggressiveness would be dealt with with the forceful response towards it. President Alvi stated that our nation would not be hesitant from any kind of sacrifice for the security of our country.

Prime Minister Khan in his message emphasized that the nation came into being after a hard and long struggle and the key for its development is present in honesty, morality, and hard work.

We require to hold fast to the Quaid-i-Azam principles of Unity, Faith, and Discipline and recommit ourselves for the development of Pakistan as a true model of Riyasat-i-Madian democratic and a welfare state.

The prime minister also stated that his government is bringing long-term reforms and taking the initiatives of poverty alleviation, promotion of justice and also focusing on the marginalized segments of our country for providing equal rights.