A dose of optimism amidst fear

Pakistan Day inculcated national harmony and patriotic sentiments among our countrymen

Good news and events of cheer lift up the spirits, multiplying the sense of happiness and joy. As a country that has suffered so much pain in the wake of terrorist attacks, Pakistan deserves to double our joys every now and then. I believe happy events should be prominently covered in the media.

Against the backdrop of despair, sadness and anxiety, the celebration of the National Horse and Cattle Show, the Pakistan Day parade, the Azm-e-Pakistan parade and the Arsenal Show by the armed forces in Lahore brought much delight to the people. These events provided a ray of hope for a populace that remains constantly bogged down by fear and bloodshed.

The Horse and Cattle Show at Fortress Stadium was being organised for the first time after 2004. It brought forth healthy competition, festivity and recreational activities for the public. The show also improved the morale of the armed forces.

The event, which included sporting events and food stalls, provided ample opportunity to farmers to exhibit their animals, showcase cultural spirit and for sportsmen to show their skills and earn appreciation. Motorcycle stunts, music competitions among various bands and folk dances added to the people’s enjoyment.

The holding of the Azm-e-Pakistan parade, attended by professionals from different walks of life, gave the message that the entire nation is united for peace. While the event gave an avenue of entertainment to citizens, it also gave a key message to miscreants. The message was that the Pakistani nation is resilient, that it will not break down and that it will always find happiness, no matter what.

Moreover, the Pakistan Day parade, being held for the first time after 2008, also went a long way in symbolising the unity of the Pakistani nation. The event was graced by the top leadership and the chiefs of the armed forces. Fresh promises were made for the protection of our homeland from all internal and external aggressions. It was a golden event, which paid rich tribute to soldiers fighting militants and commemorated the innocent martyrs of the APS Peshawar attack. It gave us all a good chance to witness the crown jewels of our military arsenal, especially the new, locally-manufactured Burraq drone, which points to Pakistan’s self-sufficiency in drone technology.

The parade inculcated national harmony and patriotic sentiments among our countrymen. It also revived the commitment of the armed forces to clear anti-state elements and terrorists from this soil.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2015.