Islamabad                                                                                                                                                                                          23 March 2018                                                                                                                                                                               (Media Reports)

The people of Pakistan throughout the globe are celebrating Pakistan Day 2018 across the country with traditional zeal and fervour.

Pakistan Day commemorates Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940, when All-India Muslim League demanded a separate nation for Muslims from then British Indian Empire.

Celebrations took off  with special prayers offered by people in masajid throughout the country after Fajr prayers for the progress, prosperity and solidarity of the country. A 31-gun salute in Islamabad, and 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals were given. National flag was hoisted at all major government buildings through out the country.

Change of guard ceremonies were held at the mausoleums of Father of the nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi and Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal in Lahore.

Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka was Special guest at the traditional Military parade on Friday to mark the day. Troops from Turkey, Jordan and United Arab Emirates also joined Pakistani troops during military parade held at Parade Ground in Islamabad.

Traditional Military parade ceremony commenced from recitation of verses from Holy Quran. Present on the occasion were President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Defence Minister Khurrum Dastagir, Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi. Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee Zubair Mehmood Hayat, diplomats including  Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria, Deputy High Commissioner J.P. Singh and Military Attaché Brig. P. Vishwasrao.

Contingents of Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, and Pakistan Navy held a march-past and a salute to the president of Pakistan. Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan led a fly-past as a salute to the president.

Troops from Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers, Northern Light Infantry, Mujahid Battalion, Tri Services Lady Officers, Tri Services Armed Forces Nursing Services, Special Services Group, and President Bodyguards also took part in the parade.

Pakistan made tanks ‘Al Khalid’ and ‘Al Zarrar’,  among missiles  ‘NASR’, ‘Shaheen’ , ‘Ghauri’ and ‘Babur’ cruise missiles participated in the parade.

A number of airplanes from Army Aviation and Pakistan Air Force demonstrated aerobatic feats for the audience. Combat and attack helicopters, skydivers of airborne units from the three armed forces were among demonstrated their skills.

Cultural delegates and floats from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir featured colourful cultures during the ceremony.

President Mamnoon Hussain, in his speech, welcomed the Sri Lankan president, and troops from Turkey, Jordan, and UAE to the parade.

He paid tribute to founders of country who made the creation of Pakistan possible and to the martyrs of Pakistan movement. President of Pakistan stressed on the importance of peace and stability for country’s progress.

He said that cooperation for international peace is base of  country’s foreign policy. Islamabad also extends a hand of cooperation to the regional countries but taking the gesture as a weakness will be a dangerous mistake, the president added.

President Mamnoon Hussain denounced Indian army’s attacks from across the Line of Control and Working Boundary. Strongly condemning India for its irresponsible behaviour and its atrocities in Indian held-Kashmir,  he said that ‘only solution to the dispute of Kashmir is providing the right of self-determination to the Kashmiri people, and Pakistan will continue to play its role in this regard’,

On anti-terrorism operations in the country, he lauded armed forces and the nation for eliminating terrorism from the country under operations Raddul Fasad and Zarb-i-Azb. On this occasion, President of Pakistan announced a medal “Tamga-i-Azam” for those who rendered sacrifices for restoration of peace.

On Friday, President of Pakistan awarded 141 Pakistani citizens and foreign nationals for their services in various fields including science, literature, arts, sports and media. Deceased human rights lawyer Asma Jahangir was awarded Nishan-i-Pakistan, the highest civilian honour on her struggle for democracy and advocacy for human rights.

The Pakistan Day parade was discontinued during tenure of military Gen. Pervez Musharaf and also during Asif Zardari government in fear of terrorism. However, It was Nawaz Sharif government which resumed military parade and other celebrations.