Female soldiers of the Pakistan Army chant 'Long Live Pakistan' during a military parade in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, March 23, 2018. Pakistanis celebrated their National Day with a military parade in the capital, Islamabad, showcasing short- and long-range missiles, tanks, jets, drones and other hardware. Troops, including female soldiers, marched past a stand with political and military leaders. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed) — Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Pakistan exhibits military might on Republic Day

Armed forces displayed nuclear-capable weapons, tanks, jets, drones and other weapons systems during a military parade.
Dawn.com Published March 23, 2018

The nation is celebrating Pakistan Day 2018 across the country on Friday with traditional zeal and fervour.

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

Pakistan's armed forces displayed nuclear-capable weapons, tanks, jets, drones and other weapons systems during a joint military parade held at Parade Ground in Islamabad to mark the day.

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 and Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee Zubair Mehmood Hayat were also present at the ceremony.

The parade also showcased local cultures with floats from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir .

President Mamnoon Hussain arrives at the venue for the Pakistan Day military parade in islamabad. ─AFP
President Mamnoon Hussain arrives at the venue for the Pakistan Day military parade in islamabad. ─AFP

Pakistani border soldiers march past during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP
Pakistani border soldiers march past during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Troops from the Special Services Group (SSG) march during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP
Troops from the Special Services Group (SSG) march during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

President Mamnoon Hussain inspects a guard of honour during a Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP
President Mamnoon Hussain inspects a guard of honour during a Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Troops perform during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP
Troops perform during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Tank crews steer their vehicles during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP
Tank crews steer their vehicles during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Armed forces soldiers march past during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP
Armed forces soldiers march past during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Pakistani soldiers march past during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP
Pakistani soldiers march past during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

A trooper performs during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP
A trooper performs during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

A Pakistani JF-17 thunder aircraft fly by during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP
A Pakistani JF-17 thunder aircraft fly by during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Army soldiers travel on a vehicle carrying long-range ballistic Shaheen II missiles during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP
Army soldiers travel on a vehicle carrying long-range ballistic Shaheen II missiles during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

An Indian delegation including Indian Army officer Sanjay Vishwasrao watch the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP
An Indian delegation including Indian Army officer Sanjay Vishwasrao watch the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Pakistani artists perform during a Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP
Pakistani artists perform during a Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Pakistani military personnel travel on a tank during a Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP
Pakistani military personnel travel on a tank during a Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Pakistani jets perform aerobatic manoeuvres during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP
Pakistani jets perform aerobatic manoeuvres during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Pakistani Air Force jets demonstrate an aerobatic performance during a military parade in Islamabad. ─AP
Pakistani Air Force jets demonstrate an aerobatic performance during a military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, and a top officer of Pakistan Air Force arrive for a military parade in Islamabad. ─AP
Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, and a top officer of Pakistan Air Force arrive for a military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Pakistani missiles are on display during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP
Pakistani missiles are on display during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Soldiers stand beside Ra'ad I missiles on display during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP
Soldiers stand beside Ra'ad I missiles on display during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Female soldiers of Pakistan Army march during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP
Female soldiers of Pakistan Army march during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

President Mamnoon Hussain arrives to attend the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP
President Mamnoon Hussain arrives to attend the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Visiting Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena arrives to attend the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP
Visiting Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena arrives to attend the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Pakistan's presidential guards ride on camels during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP
Pakistan's presidential guards ride on camels during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Female soldiers of the Pakistan Army chant 'Long Live Pakistan' during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP
Female soldiers of the Pakistan Army chant 'Long Live Pakistan' during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Comments (80) Closed
hawkins
Mar 23, 2018 08:54pm
Please include pictures of UAE military contingent, the Jordanian military band and the Turkish Air Force war machines pictures as well.
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Zulfi
Mar 23, 2018 08:58pm
Beautiful pictures. Keep it up Dawn
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Suraj Thakare
Mar 23, 2018 09:03pm
Is this every year activity?
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PR MAN
Mar 23, 2018 09:07pm
They make us proud of our past and hopeful of our future.
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AIZ
Mar 23, 2018 09:10pm
Proud of Pakistan Forces.
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zia
Mar 23, 2018 09:12pm
Pakistan Zindabad.
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Lahori kid
Mar 23, 2018 09:50pm
As always, I am amazed and proud, and left speechless looking at the pics. Reminds me of my childhood when we would accompany our father to the parade. A proud EX- Army officer's son and brother. Long live these brave and proud soldiers. Ameen.
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ehsan
Mar 23, 2018 09:53pm
beautiful pics though
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Abdul Hamid
Mar 23, 2018 10:04pm
Impressive work to ensure piece in the region.
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kumar
Mar 23, 2018 10:09pm
Looks nice, Congratulations Pakistan!
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Ahmed khan lehri
Mar 23, 2018 10:19pm
Beautiful and stunning pics. Long live Pakistan.
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Ahmed khan lehri
Mar 23, 2018 10:20pm
Beautiful and stunning pics. Long live Pakistan.
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Khan
Mar 23, 2018 10:35pm
Female soldiers is a new thing in this 23 March Parade
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King
Mar 23, 2018 10:38pm
Shows discipline... Long live Pakistan
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Waqas Ayub
Mar 23, 2018 10:54pm
I love u Pak Army.
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MAHMOOD MIR
Mar 23, 2018 11:09pm
well done Dawn
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nadir BALOACH
Mar 23, 2018 11:12pm
Long live Pakistan. love Pakistan Army from Proud Pakistani Baloch.
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Haroon
Mar 23, 2018 11:28pm
Beautiful female soldiers. Pakistan Zindabad
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dr khan
Mar 23, 2018 11:46pm
I also remember watching these parade as a kid at Race Course Ground in Rawalpindi. I am so proud to see smartly turnout of Pakistani forces with modern war gadget. It was smart idea to invite our archive rival India, at least they know, we as Pakistani nation are ready, just in case.....
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Suhail
Mar 24, 2018 12:26am
Priceless!
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saqib
Mar 24, 2018 12:56am
Nice to see Indian delegation present. Why can't relations be normal between two nations with same culture.
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Akhtar
Mar 24, 2018 01:26am
@saqib Ask this question to Modi.
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mansoor Kamal
Mar 24, 2018 01:28am
I like most the female soldiers of Pakistan, no missile, no jet have any value more than them
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Nadeem
Mar 24, 2018 02:32am
@Suraj Thakare @Yes, but the weaponry display may not show the full range or capacity; somethings are better left as surprises! War itself is a surprise after all
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Harry Jam
Mar 24, 2018 04:11am
Beautiful...need to learn more about the Lahore Resolution. Long live our civil democracy and long live Pak army...Pakistan zindabad!!
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Political connoisseur
Mar 24, 2018 04:51am
Must appreciate DAWN for such amazing pics of Pak Armed Forces,the best known forces in the world. The pic of Indian delegation with an Indian Army Officer as guests is an awesome and heart warming. The two great neighbors must be like this, the threads of friendship must be pick up, and rebuild confidence, the need for regional peace is on shoulders of India Pak in unison. Congrats to Pak Armed Forces for such a magnificent demonstration and thanks to all distinguished guests including our neighbors the Indian delegation, in our traditional sayings neighbors belongs to House as one family, hence they should feel at home. Hope the Pak delegation will also be invited in India to see such event.
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Mikw
Mar 24, 2018 05:27am
The best photo is where Indian army officers look in awe! I wish both countries stop impressing each other with WMD and start impressing each other with WMC (weapon of mass compassion). Love from a Sufi
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Vinay
Mar 24, 2018 05:28am
The day a Pakistani army contingent marches in the Indian parade and and Indian army contingent in the Pakistani parade...that will be when the sub continent would have truly progressed
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Imtiaz ali khan
Mar 24, 2018 06:04am
Pakistan, UAE, Jordan, Turkey all came together for the celebration and thank you Sri Lankan President. Pakistan Zindabad!
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nusrat
Mar 24, 2018 06:12am
@Suraj Thakare yes Suraj this is every year activity like your in India I am sure same thing every year over there.
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nusrat
Mar 24, 2018 06:13am
great proud nation is celebrating
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nusrat
Mar 24, 2018 06:14am
@kumar thanks and congrat to u as well
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Bilal aus
Mar 24, 2018 06:20am
Great Love you Pak Watan Salute
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Yaqoot
Mar 24, 2018 06:32am
@Suraj Thakare yes 23 March every year
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Wise2win
Mar 24, 2018 08:38am
Wouldn't it be better if we celebrate such occasions with something creative rather than the display of destructive forces? Whom are we trying to scare? Wish for peace than war.
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Viquar Syed
Mar 24, 2018 08:49am
Most prestigious ceremony ever and always. LONG LIVE PAKISTAN.
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sanjay sharma
Mar 24, 2018 09:23am
Wonderful pictures showing a proud Pakistani Nation on Pakistan Day. My best wishes to everyone in Pakistan.
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mohit
Mar 24, 2018 09:26am
Congrats Pakistan best wishes from Mohit delhi
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Danyal Syed
Mar 24, 2018 09:35am
Great People - Great Nation - Best Armed Forces... Long Live Pakistan and its people.
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DeLHIDUDE
Mar 24, 2018 10:11am
Wish you prosperity, freedom, democracy, freedom to practice your own faith and all the happiness forever.
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A Pakistani
Mar 24, 2018 11:09am
Long live Pakistan, and our glorious people. Aamin.
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Sridhar Raghunatha Rao
Mar 24, 2018 12:28pm
I am very much delighted to learn that our Indian delegation was invited to participate in Pakistan Day celebrations and the delegation did attend. This is a very heartening development and like this we can move closer and closer forgetting and forgiving the bitter past.
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Czar
Mar 24, 2018 01:02pm
Very proud of seeing our Sardar ji brother leading Pakistan Rangers contingent. All minorities are equally patriotic and deserve equal opportunities to represent progressive Pakistan that Jinah had envisioned.
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Vivek Wani
Mar 24, 2018 01:26pm
Strong Military Force. Congratulations. Nice picks by Dawn.
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ak
Mar 24, 2018 01:44pm
@Mikw Best comment ever.
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ak
Mar 24, 2018 01:45pm
@Vinay May your vision come true brother.
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Daniel madre
Mar 24, 2018 02:44pm
awesome pics
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waqar Ahmed saqib
Mar 24, 2018 03:09pm
excellent and excelence in all matters of natio,PAKISTAN ZINDABAD
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Imtiaz Ali Khan
Mar 24, 2018 03:42pm
@Vinay such beautiful words just brought tears in my eyes. Thank you brother may you Almighty listen to our prayers after all we are brother. Sending you lots of love from the Sindhu Dharti Maa where it all began. IndoPak Blood Brothers 4 Life!
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Ghar_Damad
Mar 24, 2018 04:19pm
Loved the way camels are decorated
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ayaz ahmed
Mar 24, 2018 06:07pm
amazing show of strength.we are with our army.respect!
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A Pakistani
Mar 24, 2018 07:18pm
@Vinay Indeed, thank you for your kind words. Also if you notice an Indian Army delegation is also attending this ceremony, that's a good start.
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Changez Khan
Mar 24, 2018 08:59pm
Awesome. Thanks DAWN.
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Izhar Minhas
Mar 25, 2018 02:28am
@Suraj Thakare Sure is. Long Live Pakistan
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Rehan khan
Mar 25, 2018 04:45am
Pakistan Army Zindabad Pakistan paindabad.
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sabir
Mar 25, 2018 06:02am
Female Soldiers and Male soldiers uniform looks amazing. I am fond of Uniform of Pakistan military. Dawn I was waiting for these pics!
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Nitin Patel
Mar 25, 2018 09:49am
Nice, It's awesome. Dawn keep continue posting such good things. Pictures are beautiful. Waiting for the day when Pak army marches in the Indian parade and and Indian army in the Pakistani parade. BTW, many congratulations to all Pakistani.
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Dilli ka Dil Wala
Mar 25, 2018 10:15am
Good inspiration taken from Indian republic day. But only difference is that Indian republic day is celebrated in the middle of the metropolitan and with the common man. This one is celebrated in safe zones.
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Farhan
Mar 25, 2018 10:45am
Love the picture of the proud Sikh soldier (pic # 2).
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Abdul Nasir Mughal
Mar 25, 2018 03:28pm
Please include brother countries UAE and Jordan's pictures too as it was a great moment to see these friends marching with our army at our great land. Thanks
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Iftikhar Husain
Mar 25, 2018 04:54pm
Wow what a display in pictures thanks Dawn for sharing.
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LAHORI KID
Mar 25, 2018 10:04pm
Its called Pakistan day parade, its about displaying our pride, I wish we would quit referring to it as military might.
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Jalaluddin S. Hussain
Mar 25, 2018 10:55pm
I was overjoyed to see the Indian and Sri Lankan representatives amongst those who celebrated an important Pakistani event. May regional peace prosper!
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AKH
Mar 25, 2018 11:19pm
India , Pakistan and Bangladesh should form a federation similar to EU and have common currency and visa system . Democracy and Secularism should be introduced like in Indian Constitution .Go back to pre-partition unity for peace and prosperity. This will help in regional development.
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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali
Mar 26, 2018 12:57am
I will also like to see this show with my grandchildren, as I did as a kid in Karachi. This was a spectacular show for the selected and privileged few, which is regrettable.
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Zak
Mar 26, 2018 02:03am
@LAHORI KID why deny reality. Pakistan is a regional power with military might. It was on display.
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Imran
Mar 26, 2018 04:47am
Pakistan Zindabad
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Anil
Mar 26, 2018 05:53am
Thanks Dawn for sharing beautiful pictures. Congrats to all Pakistanis. Impressed to see an Indian army officer joining to see the parade. Hope the same would continue between two neighbors in future and bring peace to the sub-continent.
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Jehan Zaib
Mar 26, 2018 07:14am
Awesomeeeeeeeeee Pakistan Zinda a Baad
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LAHORI KID
Mar 26, 2018 08:31am
@Viquar Syed, Its a day we as Pakistani nation show our pride, just like you do. So congrats on your day as well neighbor.
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LAHORI KID
Mar 26, 2018 08:32am
@Suraj Thakare, Yes sir, Pakistan day is celebrated every year on March 23rd.
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Shahid Abro
Mar 26, 2018 09:04am
Long Live Pakistan
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Ghazi
Mar 26, 2018 10:44am
Nothing, but great. very heartwarming and proudly display of the strength
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DR. zaid ahmad al-muhaisen - jordan
Mar 26, 2018 01:10pm
jordan pakistan brotherhood for ever
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Shyam Kokku
Mar 26, 2018 01:56pm
Nice pictures and hearty congrats sisters and brothers of Pakistan!
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Sarfraz
Mar 26, 2018 03:36pm
Lots of Love for Pakistan forces.
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Ali khan
Mar 26, 2018 05:02pm
This is a honor for Pakistani nation. Need to be advance in education, morals and LEADERSHIP
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Ali
Mar 26, 2018 07:54pm
Great reflections Dawn!!
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Genie
Mar 26, 2018 08:10pm
Very Nice..Parade to watch hope India & Pak will walk together one day...
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Pakistani71
Mar 26, 2018 09:52pm
Pakistan Zindabad!!!
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