In pictures: Pakistan shows off military might at annual parade

Malaysian premier Mahathir attended as the chief guest, while foreign armed forces featured in parade.
Dawn.com Published March 23, 2019

The nation celebrated Pakistan Day on Saturday with a military parade showcasing short- and long-range missiles, tanks, jets, drones and other hardware.

Alongside Pakistan's armed forces, Turkish and Chinese pilots demonstrated aerial manoeuvres, while a visiting Chinese Air Force formation presented excellent aerobatics for audiences with spirals of red and green smoke symbolising Pak-China friendship. The parade also featured troops from Azerbaijan, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bahrain and Sri Lanka.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was invited to be the guest of honour at the parade. President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair, Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mehmood Abbasi, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, and Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel General Zakir Hasanov were all in attendance at the parade ground.

As the clock strikes midnight on March 23, 2019, people set off fireworks to celebrate Pakistan Day. ─ AFP
As the clock strikes midnight on March 23, 2019, people set off fireworks to celebrate Pakistan Day. ─ AFP

President Arif Alvi salutes as he arrives to attend the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─ AP
President Arif Alvi salutes as he arrives to attend the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─ AP

Chief guest Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (R) arrives to attend the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ Reuters
Chief guest Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (R) arrives to attend the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ Reuters

Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa arrives to attend the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ AFP
Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa arrives to attend the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ AFP

From left: Prime Minister Imran Khan, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahatir Mohamad, and President Arif Alvi attend the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ AP
From left: Prime Minister Imran Khan, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahatir Mohamad, and President Arif Alvi attend the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ AP

Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa (C) along with Commander of the National Guard of the Kingdom of Bahrain Lieutenant-General Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan observe the fly-past by Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder fighter jets during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─ Reuters
Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa (C) along with Commander of the National Guard of the Kingdom of Bahrain Lieutenant-General Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan observe the fly-past by Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder fighter jets during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─ Reuters

The Pakistan Army musical band on camelback during a military parade to mark Pakistan Day. ─ AP
The Pakistan Army musical band on camelback during a military parade to mark Pakistan Day. ─ AP

A PAF JF-17 Thunder jet performs during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ Reuters
A PAF JF-17 Thunder jet performs during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ Reuters

Pakistani-made tanks roll down during a military parade to mark Pakistan Day. ─ AP
Pakistani-made tanks roll down during a military parade to mark Pakistan Day. ─ AP

Special Services Group (SSG) commandos perform during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad. ─ AFP
Special Services Group (SSG) commandos perform during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad. ─ AFP

Pakistan Army soldiers march during a military parade to mark Pakistan Day in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ AP
Pakistan Army soldiers march during a military parade to mark Pakistan Day in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ AP

President Arif Alvi clad in a black sherwani stands atop a military vehicle to review the military parade. ─ AP
President Arif Alvi clad in a black sherwani stands atop a military vehicle to review the military parade. ─ AP

Chinese J-10 fighter jets demonstrate an aerobatic performance during the military parade to mark Pakistan Day. ─ AP
Chinese J-10 fighter jets demonstrate an aerobatic performance during the military parade to mark Pakistan Day. ─ AP

Troops march during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ AFP
Troops march during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ AFP

A Turkish fighter jet performs an aerobatic stunt during a military parade to mark Pakistan Day. ─ AP
A Turkish fighter jet performs an aerobatic stunt during a military parade to mark Pakistan Day. ─ AP

Visiting Azerbaijani troops march during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad. ─ AFP
Visiting Azerbaijani troops march during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad. ─ AFP

A soldier stands beside an Air Defence Systems during the Pakistan Day parade. ─ AFP
A soldier stands beside an Air Defence Systems during the Pakistan Day parade. ─ AFP

Soldiers march during the military parade. ─ AP
Soldiers march during the military parade. ─ AP

Army aviation helicopters fly past the Pakistan Day parade. ─ AFP
Army aviation helicopters fly past the Pakistan Day parade. ─ AFP

Paramilitary troops march during the military parade. ─ AP
Paramilitary troops march during the military parade. ─ AP

Pakistan-made missiles loaded on a trailers roll down during the military parade. ─ AP
Pakistan-made missiles loaded on a trailers roll down during the military parade. ─ AP

Pakistani-made ballistic missile Nasr rolls down during the military parade. ─ AP
Pakistani-made ballistic missile Nasr rolls down during the military parade. ─ AP

Fighter jets perform during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ AFP
Fighter jets perform during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ AFP

Troops march during the military parade. ─ AP
Troops march during the military parade. ─ AP

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

Special Service Group commandos march during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ AFP
Special Service Group commandos march during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. ─ AFP

A made-in-Pakistan Shaheen-III missile ─ capable of carrying nuclear warheads ─ loaded on a trailer rolls down during the parade. ─ AP
A made-in-Pakistan Shaheen-III missile ─ capable of carrying nuclear warheads ─ loaded on a trailer rolls down during the parade. ─ AP

A Turkish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon performs during the Pakistan Day parade. ─ AFP
A Turkish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon performs during the Pakistan Day parade. ─ AFP

Pakistan-made cruise missile Ra'ad rolls down during the parade. ─ AP
Pakistan-made cruise missile Ra'ad rolls down during the parade. ─ AP

Header image: J-10 fighter jets flown by Chinese Air Force pilots were invited to showcase their abilities during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. The CAF formation presented aerobatics with spirals of red and green smoke symbolising Pak-China friendship. ─ Reuters

Comments (65) Closed
Voice of Oppressed
Mar 23, 2019 08:25pm
Brilliant images as Always.
Recommend 0
Azhar Khan
Mar 23, 2019 08:31pm
Pakistan Zindabad! Long live Pakistan
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Must learn
Mar 23, 2019 08:34pm
A magnificent scene of smart highly professional contingents and troops of Pak, and their tools of extreme precision, witnesseth by the foreign dignitaries as well. Congratulations to COAS Gen Bajwa, and his team, President Alvi, PM Imran Khan, his cabinet, all foreign guests.
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Ahmed bin Babar
Mar 23, 2019 08:34pm
Long live Pakistan..!
Recommend 0
Imtiaz Ali Khan
Mar 23, 2019 08:39pm
Pakistan Zindabad! Thank you friends from all the nations for your participation.
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M. Saeed
Mar 23, 2019 08:39pm
Really great force with highly competent men behind the force.armaments. No doubt best armed force in the world.
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Dr.Salaria, Aamir Ahmoad
Mar 23, 2019 08:41pm
Apart from the US,China and Russia nobody else can boast such sophisticated weapons and technology developed and manufactured indigenously anywhere in the world.
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AXH
Mar 23, 2019 08:44pm
Happy Pakistan Day to all. Peace is what all should strive for but at the same time, be ready to defend the motherland against aggression.
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Kamran Khan
Mar 23, 2019 08:44pm
Looks very nice.
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Zalay Shah
Mar 23, 2019 08:45pm
Mashallah!
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Jamil Soomro, New York City
Mar 23, 2019 08:50pm
Stunning pictures truly showing the Military Might of Pakistan.Modern Military Hardware with smart Army men and women.All this makes you feel proud to be a Pakistani.Long Live Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Recommend 0
Shakil - Kansas, USA
Mar 23, 2019 08:53pm
God bless Pakistan.
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Ahmed Bin Babar
Mar 23, 2019 08:53pm
Pakistan can make trillions of dollars by exporting indigenously made weapons to friendly nations .
Recommend 0
Zakota
Mar 23, 2019 08:54pm
Long live Pakistan
Recommend 0
Ammar
Mar 23, 2019 08:56pm
Amazing MashAllah !!!
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Morad786
Mar 23, 2019 08:57pm
Impressive stuff. Pakistan Zindabad.
Recommend 0
Silver
Mar 23, 2019 09:01pm
Impressive
Recommend 0
MONIER
Mar 23, 2019 09:13pm
Interestiing demonstration
Recommend 0
Changez Khan
Mar 23, 2019 09:35pm
Awesome!!! Congratulations to Pakistan Armed Forced for amazing performance. Thanks DAWN.
Recommend 0
Mazhar.A.Khan
Mar 23, 2019 09:48pm
Splendid & Gallant show of force. Long live Pakistan
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Bashir
Mar 23, 2019 10:05pm
An amazing show of our strength to defend the nation from inside and outside. Pakistan is and must spend more on new technologies for digital, bio-chemical and telecommunication.capability. Enhance its security network to defend against soft and digital attacks on its data and infrastructure. NRPs must volunteer their skills, knowledge and finances to help the nation. We have an honest leadership in place and we must leverage this opportunity to protect our nation state. Our first option should always be peace and friendship to all but we must be prepared to face the enemy from anywhere.
Recommend 0
A DIFFERENT VOICE
Mar 23, 2019 10:16pm
Bring some of this strength to failing social nerves!! - Please!!
Recommend 0
Manish Dattawadkar
Mar 23, 2019 10:36pm
Congratulations Pakistan. Good show.
Recommend 0
zorro
Mar 23, 2019 10:38pm
Brilliant & powerful! but there should be no room for complacency ! gird your loins and be prepared every second of the day and night!!
Recommend 0
S.Syed
Mar 23, 2019 11:30pm
Very professional and high class demonstration. Pakistan armed forces now appear to be at par with any major military force, well trained, diciplained and battled hardened. Pakistan's Pride
Recommend 0
Gul from Virginia
Mar 23, 2019 11:53pm
Long live Pakistan and it’s defense forces
Recommend 0
Mirza
Mar 24, 2019 12:41am
So Proud of my country.
Recommend 0
Ghaznavi
Mar 24, 2019 01:02am
Pakistan Zindabad
Recommend 0
Mohsin
Mar 24, 2019 01:08am
Exquisite show indeed!
Recommend 0
IMRAN AHMAD
Mar 24, 2019 01:19am
Long live Pakistan. our proud!
Recommend 0
TU
Mar 24, 2019 02:12am
So proud
Recommend 0
Rahul
Mar 24, 2019 02:51am
Brilliant photographs. Happy Pakistan Day to all !!
Recommend 0
Sameer
Mar 24, 2019 03:36am
The photographers deserve a massive raise.
Recommend 0
Magaman
Mar 24, 2019 03:55am
Colorful.
Recommend 0
Guest
Mar 24, 2019 06:08am
May this beautiful display of Pak might guide Pak to declare their first goal Peace with India
Recommend 0
Muqaddam Khan
Mar 24, 2019 07:52am
Really great day to celebrate
Recommend 0
Well-wisher
Mar 24, 2019 08:03am
Impressive show.
Recommend 0
KB
Mar 24, 2019 09:49am
Very Impressive and professional by all means..Kush Kitta ...Pakistan Always Zindabad.
Recommend 0
Shabbir H. Kazmi
Mar 24, 2019 10:10am
Excellent work by DAWN staff
Recommend 0
Satyakam Pradhan
Mar 24, 2019 10:18am
Kudos to the Photograher
Recommend 0
Shyam
Mar 24, 2019 10:31am
@Voice of Oppressed, Only Images.
Recommend 0
A pakistani
Mar 24, 2019 11:05am
Excellent images, well done DAWN.
Recommend 0
Zak
Mar 24, 2019 11:10am
Awesome. Moment of pride. Pakistan a responsible regional power.
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Mansoor, Karachi
Mar 24, 2019 11:23am
Here I must congratulate to our Defense forces and the department of defense production that despite many difficulties with respect to budget constraint,less industrial base and lack of hi-tech industry Pakistan has achieved excellent progress and self reliance in almost all sphere of hi tech defense equipment. This is the only industry in which we are far ahead of India. Salute to my sincere patriotic defense planners, engineers and scientist of Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad, Pakistan Defense Forces Paindabad
Recommend 0
Mansoor, Karachi
Mar 24, 2019 06:12pm
Thanks for Pakistan defense Forces
Recommend 0
The AngloIndian
Mar 24, 2019 08:33pm
Sri Lanka present at parade!
Recommend 0
Tamil
Mar 25, 2019 03:17am
Pakistan has undoubtedly, very good and capable armed forces. Congratulations.
Recommend 0
Rahman
Mar 25, 2019 08:58am
Congratulation to Pakistan armed forces for the beautiful presentation.
Recommend 0
Bharat Dave
Mar 25, 2019 08:59am
Nice pictures
Recommend 0
LAHORI KID
Mar 25, 2019 09:09am
@Dr.Salaria, Aamir Ahmoad , You forgot Great Britain and France.
Recommend 0
Hasin Ahmed
Mar 25, 2019 09:57am
Fantastic. For any Pakistani a matter of immense pride. The glittering military apparatus guarantees the state's territorial safety and security. Absolutely heartwarming. Long live Pakistan.
Recommend 0
MAHMOOD MIR
Mar 25, 2019 10:23am
Pakistan Zindabad,no one can dare look at our country with bad intention, nice coverage by Dawn.com
Recommend 0
Anonymouseeeee
Mar 25, 2019 11:14am
Absolutely stunning event. United we stand. Long live Pakistan.
Recommend 0
Naveen Chauhan
Mar 25, 2019 12:02pm
Good Photography
Recommend 0
AZAD
Mar 25, 2019 12:09pm
Best Pics
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Zafar
Mar 25, 2019 01:06pm
Just watching the pics made my heart warm and chest swell with pride. What a fine group of fighting men and women representing some of the best and most capable fighting forces on this planet. Long live Pakistan and its men and women of its armed forces!
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Dilshad Hasan
Mar 25, 2019 01:14pm
its simply stunning ...
Recommend 0
Jag
Mar 25, 2019 03:28pm
Excellent. Keep it up.
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Lutera
Mar 25, 2019 05:21pm
@Dr.Salaria, Aamir Ahmoad , How about France?
Recommend 0
Imamali essex
Mar 25, 2019 06:49pm
Pakistan Zindabad :)
Recommend 0
Farrukh Abbas
Mar 26, 2019 02:26am
Proud Pakistani-Canadian
Recommend 0
zafar khan
Mar 26, 2019 08:45am
Long live Pakistan, its people, and its armed forces!
Recommend 0
Ali
Mar 26, 2019 11:44am
LONG LIVE PAKWATAN
Recommend 0
zain
Mar 26, 2019 07:56pm
classic images
Recommend 0
Anas Iqbal
Mar 26, 2019 09:51pm
Very very impressive I like that various different countries participated. Indians should have participated too.
Recommend 0

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