PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday held its first Pakistan Day parade in seven years, a display of pageantry aimed at showing the country has the upper hand in the fight against the terrorists.
Mobile phone networks in the capital were disabled to thwart potential bomb attacks, some roads were closed to the public and much of the city was under heavy guard for the event.
The annual Pakistan Day parade was last held in 2008 before authorities abandoned it because of fears it could be targeted as militants increased their attacks on the military.
Folk artists perform during the parade. PHOTO: AFP
The military says the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is on the rack now thanks to an offensive waged against militant strongholds since June last year, allowing the display of martial pomp to be restarted.
The event, presided over by President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and army chief General Raheel Sharif, was held on a parade ground in leafy Islamabad.
The event comes just over three months after TTP gunmen massacred more than 150 people, most of them children, at a school in the northwestern city of Peshawar, an atrocity that shocked even conflict-weary Pakistan.
President Hussain paid tribute to soldiers fighting militants in the restive northwest, calling them his sons and pledging to go to the front line to hug them.
President Mamnoon Hussain rides a horse-drawn carriage escorted by presidential guards as he arrives at the venue for the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
"I also salute the innocent martyrs of the Army Public School Peshawar, who by sacrificing their lives made it clear to the enemy that this nation cannot be defeated," the president said.
Both modern and more traditional elements of Pakistan's military arsenal were on display, from nuclear-capable missiles and the new home-made armed Burraq drone to a camel-mounted musical band.
Camel-mounted military band performs during the parade. PHOTO: AFP
There were fly-pasts by the air force, including some dizzying aerobatic displays by JF-17 Thunder fighters, which are locally produced in cooperation with close ally China.
PHOTO: AFP
Nuclear-capable Nasr and Shaheen missiles, which have a range of up to 1,500 kilometres (900 miles), and Babur cruise missiles were also paraded.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he had written to his counterpart Sharif to congratulate him on Monday.
6:00pm
Watch a video of the Wagah Border ceremony held to mark Pakistan Day.
2:00pm
Mobile phone services have been resumed in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
12:39pm
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a letter, congratulated PM Nawaz on Pakistan Day.
I have written to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif, conveying my greetings on the National Day of Pakistan.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2015
It is my firm conviction that all outstanding issues can be resolved through bilateral dialogue in an atmosphere free from terror & violence
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2015
12:20pm
Army chief General Raheel Sharif leaves after attending the parade. PHOTO: REUTERS
12:10pm
As the parade comes to an end, Twitter users are all praise for the armed forces for a military show to remember.
#PakistanDayParade after ages such proud feeling, may we unite 2 respect &protect all our citizens with equality &dignity Pakistan zindabad
— Aurangzaib Khan (@AurangZK) March 23, 2015
1979 #PakistanDayParade #23rdMarch pic.twitter.com/cCtc4W9e02
— Zafar Zaidi (@zafar_zee) March 23, 2015
This was the best parade ever 😍
— Ali de behzad (@aliiovo) March 23, 2015
Pakistan's getting stronger by day
الله اكبر ☝️ #PakistanDayParade 💚
It was a great patriotic show by #pak army.
— Horus (@Saahib_) March 23, 2015
Well done jawans.#PakistanDayParade #PakistanDay
https://twitter.com/Ayeshagjr/status/579902965479149568
12:03pm
President Mamnoon, PM Nawaz and chiefs of armed forces join the school children for a photo session.
11:55am
Students from various schools, waving Pakistan flags, walk around the parade ground.
Dressed in traditional outfits, the children perform national songs specially written for this occasion.
PHOTO: AFP
11:52am
As the parade nears its end, troops fold the Pakistan flag and present it to President Mamnoon.
The president meets commanders who led various contingents during the parade.
11:40am
Members of all armed forces – army, air force and navy – now dive from above in a free fall jump.
The jumpers make a smooth landing after flying fearlessly in a display of professional perfection.
Paratroopers perform during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad March 23, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS
11:31am
PAF’s F-16 now makes an appearance, with its deafening thunder resonating in the parade ground. Ring Commander Usman Khalil flies the aircraft above the venue, putting up a magnificent display.
Pakistan Air Force pilots display their skills during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad March 23, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS
11:10am
In a glorious display of strength, Pakistan Air Force’s J-F 17 Thunder flies past the parade ground. Completing a full circle, the aircraft flies above the participants in full speed.
Flown by Commander Usman Ali, the JF-17 also performs thunder turn and barrel roll before it disappears in Islamabad skies. The aircraft are locally produced in cooperation with close ally China.
11:10am
Fly past begins as air vehicles including cobra attack and high-speed helicopters hover above the parade.
Sher Dil squad put up a colourful show of aerial formations, leaving parade participants in awe.
10:51am
Floats representing Pakistan's cultural diversity - with replicas of landmarks from Karachi to Khyber - take part in the Pakistan Day parade.
10:51am
Cohorts displaying strategic weapons, including land-to-land, cruise and nuclear warhead-capable missiles, are now marching past the parade ground.
Nuclear-capable Nasr and Shaheen missiles, which have a range of up to 1,500 kilometres, and Babur cruise missiles are paraded.
The contingents also displayed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle which are playing a crucial role in intelligence gathering during recent times.
President Mamnoon Hussain inspects a guard of honour alongside long-range ballistic missiles the Shaheen II during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
10:38am
Armoured contingents comprising tankers, air defence equipment and multi-missile launchers, take part in the parade.
PHOTO: AFP
PHOTO: AFP
10:25am
Cohorts of armed forces march past as PM Nawaz, President Mamnoon and Army chief witness the parade.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (C-R) watches the military parade. PHOTO: AFP
The contingents include members of Army, Navy and Air Force personnel as well as Pakistan Police and Pakistan Rangers.
Pakistan Air Force troops march during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
10:14am
Addressing the military parade, President Mamnoon Hussain says the sacrifices made by our ancestors are unrivalled.
The president lauds the efforts of army officers taking part in Operation Zarb-e-Azb. “I am proud to watch the parade today,” he adds.
"I also salute the innocent martyrs of the Army Public School Peshawar, who by sacrificing their lives made it clear to the enemy that this nation cannot be defeated," the president said.
Troops from the Special Services Group (SSG) march during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
Speaking about Pakistan-India relations, Hussain says the country wants to maintain friendly relations with its neighbor and resolve Kashmir issue through dialogue. He also says Pakistan wants to build cordial ties with Afghanistan and maintain peace internationally.
With regards to Pakistan’s sea growing by 50,000 sq kms recently, the president says that it is for the first time that the continental shelf limits of a country have been extended.
Troops march during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
10:09am
While those present at the parade were busy fending off the unforgiving March heat, emotions ran high among Pakistanis watching the ceremony at home. Many took to Twitter to express what they called nostalgia for the past.
Been waiting 7 years for this moment #PakistanDayParade
— Liaqat (@Slh_Andrabi) March 23, 2015
Goosebumps #PakistanDayParade 💚
— عایشہ (@AmzuD) March 23, 2015
#PakistanDayParade miss those days when was in school
— وڈا شوخا 🇵🇰 (@KhochaL) March 23, 2015
Best part of the day. Fly pass over our heads lead by Air Chief Marshal. #PakistanDay #23rdMarch #PakistanDayParade
— Saud Younis (@saudbinyounis) March 23, 2015
09:58am
President Mamnoon Hussain is the chief guest for the event while the parade will also be attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army chief General Raheel Sharif.
President Mamnoon Hussain rides a horse-drawn carriage escorted by presidential guards as he arrives at the venue for the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
09:30am
Security measures have been put in place for the joint military parade of Pakistan’s armed forces.
Police officials had confirmed that mobile phone service will remain suspended in the twin cities during the parade.
Paramilitary rangers march during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
09:20am
The event comes just over three months after TTP gunmen massacred more than 150 people, most of them children, at Army Public School in Peshawar, an atrocity that shocked the world.
The last military parade took place on March 23, 2008 during the tenure of Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf as a civilian president.
09:10am
Security was beefed up in Rawalpindi and Islamabad by setting up checkpoints on different places and deploying personnel of the law enforcement agencies.
All the main arteries entering the parade avenue remain closed for traffic. Murree Road, linking Rawalpindi to Islamabad, was also be sealed.
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