Pakistan holds first Republic Day parade in seven years
ISLAMABAD: The highly-anticipated joint military parade by the armed forces of Pakistan took place today in Islamabad after a gap of seven years, to commemorate the historic Pakistan Resolution on March 23, 1940 - a day which marks the the birth of a separate state for Muslims.
Personnel from all three services, Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force, are participating in the parade.
The last parade which took place in the federal capital was on March 23, 2008, reviewed by Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf as a civilian president, but was discontinued owing to 'security concerns'.
The joint military parade had been a regular event with display of military power and show of Pakistan’s folk culture, which captured the imagination of the public quite like the traditional parade, with its impressive march-pasts and aerial shows.
This year’s event will take place at the new Parade Ground, specially built near scenic Shakarparian. In the past, the parade was held on Parade Avenue in front of Parliament House and before that, at the Race Course in Rawalpindi.
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The national flag brought to the ground by the sky diving paratroopers handed over to President Mamnoon Hussain.
According to the commentator, these colourful parachutes are like rainbow pallets in the air but during war these are camouflaged in the night and are a threat to the enemies.
Air chief arrives at podium
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sohail Aman, after presenting a fly-past before President Mamnoon Hussain, has joined him one the podium, where the head of the state is reviewing the march-past held by the armed forces personnel.
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Armed forces hold march-past
Contingents of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force,Pakistan Navy, Frontier Corps and Pakistan Rangers held a march-past and performed a salute to President of Pakistan.
Pakistan Army's tanks, including Al-Khalid and Al Zarrar tanks, also perform gun salute in front of the chief guest on the occasion.
The salute by the army tanks was marked by the lowering of their cannons as they pass the podium of the chief guest.
President Mamnoon delivers speech
President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain delivered a speech to the participants of the parade in which he paid tribute to those who had lost their lives in the Taliban attack on Army Public School on December 16, 2014.
He also said that Pakistan desired relations with India on the basis of equality and added that the issue of Kashmir needs to be resolved according to wishes of the Kashmiri people.
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President Mamnoon also announced the good news that regarding the United Nations' approval of the extension of Pakistan's seabed territory from 200 to 350 nautical miles.
Chief of Air Staff leads fly-past
Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sohail Aman leads a fly-past of Pakistan Air Force jets presented to President Mamnoon Hussain over the parade venue.
COAS, CNS, PM and President arrive at venue
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif have arrived at the parade venue.
Change of guard in Lahore
Earlier during the day a change of guard ceremony was held by the Pakistan Air Force at the mausoleum of national poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal in Lahore.
The ceremonial guard mounting was followed by laying of a floral wreath at the mausoleum by the chief gues on the occasion, Base commander Air Commodore Hamid Faraz. He offered fateha and was also presented with a guard of honour at the tomb.
Gun-salute
A 31-gun salute was fired before sunrise to commemorate Pakistan Day in the federal capital city. Similarly 21-gun salutes were fired in the provincial capital cities.
Strict security measures
Cellphone and wireless Internet services remained suspended as part of security measures in Islamabad. Activities including wedding ceremonies, fireworks displays, celebratory firing, kite-flying and pigeon-flying have been strictly banned in the capital.
Strict checking is being carried out by security personnel deputed at checkposts which have been set up at all entry/exit points of Islamabad.
Fireworks display at midnight
Massive firework displays held in Lahore and Quetta at midnight to mark the commencement of Pakistan Day celebrations.