Doha, 18 Dec. 2018

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of State of Qatar attended National Day Parade 2018, held today on Tuesday afternoon on Doha Corniche. Among dignitaries present on the occasion were Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa AlThani, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Khalifa Al-Thani; Personal Representative of Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani; Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani; Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani; Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Speaker of the Shura Council, a number of sheikhs, ministers, State guests Minister of National Defense of Tunisia Abdelkrim Zbidi, Minister of National Defense of Turkey Hulusi Akar, Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan General Qamar Javed Bajwa, US Air Forces Central Command at Al Udeid Base Lieutenant General Joseph Guastella, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army of Kuwait General Sheikh Abdullah Al Nawaf Al Sabah, Commander in Chief of Carabinieri Forces Brig. Gen. Giovanni Nistri, UK Deputy Commander of Operations of the Royal Air Force Air Marshal Stuart Atha, Commander of the First Military Region of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Maj. Gen. Sidan Ali, Colonel Jido Abu Zeid from the Royal Moroccan Army and Commandant of Sandhurst Royal Military Academy General Arthur Denaro.

Among participants also included Members of Shura Council, members of Central Municipal Council, heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the State and number of senior officers of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, as well as scores of citizens and residents.

The show began with the national anthem, then verses from the Holy Quran were read. Eighteen artillery rounds were then launched to mark the national day of the State.

The parade began with aerial displays of various types of warplanes, combat, helicopters, air transports, cargo aircrafts, performing aircrafts, followed by an entrance by armed forces’ armoured vehicles, tanks, missile defense systems, military police equipment, anti-terrorism equipment, military communications. The Parade also included a maritime show featuring the Amiri Naval Forces’ striking boats and modern naval vessels.

The Amiri Land Forces, Amiri Air Forces and Naval Forces, afterwards teams from the Ministry of Interior and Civil Defense took part in the parade as Internal Security Forces “Lekhwiya” paratroopers descended from the air, in addition to a show of modern armored vehicles and military equipment.

Amir of Qatar has congratulated all the people of Qatar on the occasion of National Day. The Amir tweeted his greeting on his official Twitter handle after the  National Day Parade held at the Doha Corniche today afternoon.

“I congratulate the people of Qatar – citizens and residents – on the National Day. I pray to God to perpetuate our country’s great blessing in security, safety and stability, and to fulfil the aspirations of our people for greater strength, dignity and prosperity,” Amir tweeted in Arabic.

The Amir also tweeted earlier that “we applaud” the resilience of people in defending their country and their determination to continue on the path of development.

“On Qatar National Day, we remember the sacrifices of parents and grandparents for the sake of the nation’s pride, and we applaud the resilience of the people of Qatar in defending their country’s independence, achievements and principles, and affirm their determination to continue the path of construction, development and dignity,” the Arabic tweet said.

Thousand of citizens and residents attended the parade held in the afternoon where various wings of Qatari Armed forces marched with the latest arms to mark the National Day.

Daily ‘The Nation’ from Pakistan reported today that this morning, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan, General Qamar Javed Bajwa attended the National Day Parade on his official visit to Qatar.

COAS called upon Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani this morning.

Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani appreciated Pakistan’s efforts and the positive role being played by Pakistan for regional stability including Afghanistan.

The COAS thanked Amir of Qatar on Qatar’s continued support towards a negotiated political settlement for peace in Afghanistan. Both, Bajwa and Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, also discussed measures to enhance bilateral security cooperation.

Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan also called on Prime Minister and Interior Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser AlThani,

Prime Minister of State of Qatar  expressed keen desire to further diversify and broaden mutual cooperation including security. COAS assured him of Pakistan’s full cooperation in all mutual undertakings.