President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, foreign ministers of nations belonging to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as well as other local and foreign dignitaries witnessed a splendid airshow as part of the Pakistan Day celebrations in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The envoys and dignitaries are currently in the federal capital to participate in the 48th Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC and graced the occasion as the guests of honour at the Shakarparian Parade Ground.
The day commemorates the passage of the historic Lahore Resolution which was signed on March 23 in 1940, under which Muslims of the sub-continent aimed for a separate homeland for themselves.
It began with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and a 21-Gun salute in the provincial capitals whereas the change of guards’ ceremony was also observed at the Mazar-e-Quaid and Mazar-e-Iqbal in Karachi and Lahore respectively.
The parade comprised of marching columns of Pakistan Army’s infantry regiments of Punjab, Baloch, Frontier Force, Sindh Regiment, Northern Light Infantry, Frontier Corps, the flag bearing contingent, Punjab Rangers, Mujahid Regiment, Pakistan Coast Guards, participating for the first time, Balochistan Levies and a Pakistan Police contingent led by Sindh Police.
Light Commando Battalion of Azad Kashmir regiment, Special Services Group (SSG), Pakistan Navy, Air Force, Lady Officers Contingent comprising tri-services personnel, Pakistan Police and other paramilitary forces registered the representation of the country’s 52 per cent population. Contingents of Pakistan Boy Scouts and Girls Guide were also part of the march.
The mechanised columns of king of the battle Armoured Corps Divisions, Signals and most modern radars, guns, and missiles added more to the grandeur of the National Day Parade which was followed by the flypast of helicopters of the Army Aviation, Air Force and Navy.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu led the flypast formation flying the F-16 jet flanked by J10-C and JF-17 Thunder jets which were followed by the aerobatic manoeuvres of JF-17 Thunder and F-16, flypast of J10-C jets, Mirage jets, C-130, P-3C Orion aircraft.
Next was the flypast of helicopters of the Army Aviation, Air Force and Navy and the aerobatics display by the Pakistan Air Force’s team Sherdil through their unmatched aerial manoeuvres on nine Karakoram K-8P aircraft. The smoke released by the team aircraft created rainbows over the Parade Ground.
The paratroopers’ free-fall participated by Pakistan Navy, Air Force, SSG and others led by General Officer Commanding (GOC) SSG Major General Adil Rehmani also bagged huge acclamation from the participants. The GOC SSG after culminating the freefall presented the national flag to President Arif Alvi.
Foreign dignitaries graced the occasion in large numbers to participate in the celebrations at the parade ground.
Addressing the participants, President Alvi said: “I want to make it clear to the enemy that Pakistan will never compromise on its sovereignty as the nation and its armed forces are ready to thwart any aggression.”
He lauded the valour and courage of the country’s armed forces and the nation for making their homeland strong and prosperous.
President Alvi also paid glowing tribute to the countrymen who laid their lives for the sovereignty of the country and contributed towards its stability.
He expressed confidence that the nation would stand undeterred in the journey towards making the country strong and prosperous.
A smartly turned out contingent representing all three services marched past at the parade ground
A contingent of the Special Services Group (SSG) was also a part of the impressive march-past
Troops of the Bahrain Defence Force also marched-past at the parade ground to mark the celebrations.
This year, a smartly turned out contingent of the Turkish armed forces was also part of the celebrations.
Different floats depicting various aspects of culture of different provinces are also part of the parade.
The floats depicting the colours of the provinces became the centre of attention of the audience.
The float represented the rich culture of the provinces as well as provided a glimpse to their history.
The colours of the floats grabbed the attention of the participants as they passed through the venue.
The floats also demonstrated the splendid culture and history of the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
One of the mesmerising floats represented the people and the rich heritage of Jammu and Kashmir
One of the floats demonstrated a model of the ongoing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
It also comprised a special float depicting the 48th conference of the OIC FMs underway in Islamabad.
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