ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The joint parade of all three forces of Pakistan military was held at Shakarparian Parade Ground in Islamabad on Thursday, marking the 77th Pakistan Day with firm resolve to work hard to strengthen national security and solidarity.
The Pakistan Day is annually celebrated across the Country on March 23 to commemorate the Lahore Resolution adopted on the same day in 1940 at the Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore which eventually led to the creation of Pakistan on August 14, 1947.
President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Zubair Mehmood Hayat, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, Federal Ministers, diplomats, senior officers of Pakistan military and a large number of people witnessed the parade.
The spectacular joint armed services parade included the participation of troops of Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force (FAF), Frontier Corps (FC), Northern Light Infantry, Mujahid Force, Islamabad Police, Tri-Services Lady officers, Tri-Services Armed Forces Nursing Service, Girls Guide, Boys Scouts and Special Service Group (SSG) from the three services.
Likewise, mechanized columns of Armored Corps, Artillery, Army Air Defence, Signals, Engineers, Army Strategic Force Command, Camel Band and President’s Body Guard also featured in the parade.
The Chinese and Saudi troops and a Turkish military band also took part in the parade.
Earlier, the formation of F-16 aircraft led by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman flew past the presidential podium. The other aircraft included F-7PG, F-17, Mirage, Karakorum Eagle 3, AVACS, SAAB, C-130 and Navy’s P-3C Orion.
Sacrifices made Pakistan stronger than before: President Mamnoon
In his address as the Chief Guest in the military parade, President Mamnoon Hussain said that Pakistan was fighting the menace of terrorism for the last several years and lauded the courageous services of the Country’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies (LEAs).
“It is the sacrifices of our Shaheeds and Ghazis that has made Pakistan stronger than before,” he said.
The president categorically said that Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad launched after the Operation Zarb-e-Azb, would continue till complete elimination of terrorists.
Mamnoon Hussain expressed satisfaction that the resolve of Pakistani nation and its support to the country’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies to end terrorism at country’s soil had disrupted the very foundation of extremist narrative.
President Mamnoon said that Pakistan’s economy had gained stability and the Country was emerging as a strong economic power of the region.
The president lauded the support of friendly and brotherly countries in Pakistan’s journey of progress and development, and particularly mentioned the sincere role of China. He said that the mega project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had opened new vistas of prosperity for the entire region.
President Mamnoon expressed pleasure that a contingent of China’s People Liberation Army was participating in the Pakistan Day parade which he said was unprecedented in the history of Chinese military to join such parade in a foreign country.
The president also mentioned the military contingents of Saudi Arabia and South Africa present on the occasion and said the beautiful tunes of Turkish military band had made the event memorable.
The president expressed gratitude to the guest countries for their participation and said Pakistan would always be there to extend its support to achieve the common goals of peace, progress and prosperity.
