ISLAMABAD: The 79th Pakistan Day is being celebrated today with traditional zeal and enthusiasm to mark the passage of the historic Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940, that led to the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of South Asia in 1947.
The Day dawned with 31-gun salute in Islamabad and 21-gun salute in provincial capitals.
The change-of-guards ceremony was also held at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal in Lahore.
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) troops took over guard duty at the mausoleum where Air Commodore Rizwan Malik was the chief guest.
Keeping up with the tradition, a military parade was held at the Shakarparian Parade Ground which was attended by the top civil and military leadership as well as the foreign dignitaries who witnessed the various enchanting demonstrations. The parade also featured contingents from China, Turkey, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) General Zubair, Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mehmood Abbasi, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov were all in attendance at the parade ground where Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad was the guest of honour.
While addressing the ceremony, President Dr Arif Alvi said that Pakistan is a strong and peaceful nuclear state as well as an emerging economic power that believes in peaceful co-existence.
“Our desire for peace should not be misconstrued as our weakness. With the grace of Almighty Allah our defence is impregnable,” he said.
In his message to the nation, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the government was endeavouring to develop the country as a truly Islamic welfare state and establish a society based on compassion and justice.
The prime minister said today’s Pakistan was a New Pakistan and the government was resolved to establish a society where every person could contribute towards socio-economic development to the best of his ability.
Following the ceremony, Malaysian premier departed to his country. He had landed in Pakistan on March 21 on his first-ever three-day official visit after assuming office in May last. Prime Minister Imran Khan accompanied the Malaysian premier to see him off. Prior to his departure, Mohammad was given a detailed briefing on JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and also shown the aircraft’s cockpit and interior.
On the eve of celebrations, social media websites were flooded with messages which extended national day greetings.
The official Twitter handle of the Government of Pakistan greeted the nation which “is celebrating Pakistan Day today with a commitment to ensure progress, prosperity and a strong defence of the country”.
The nation is celebrating Pakistan Day today with a commitment to ensure progress, prosperity and a strong defense of the country.#PakistanDay #PakistanZindabad #PakistanDayParade pic.twitter.com/tvI1FKlAec
— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) March 23, 2019
British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew also wished a “happy Pakistan Day”.
Happy Pakistan Day! My best wishes to all Pakistanis.
It is an excuse too to share an old photo of one of my favourite spots in this beautiful country. On top of the world in the Hunza Valley. #PakistanDay pic.twitter.com/wKcvCUf9f6
— Thomas Drew (@TomDrewUK) March 23, 2019
Deputy Chief of Mission, Chinese Embassy Lijian Zao shared a “congratulatory message of Chinese Premier LiKeqiang to Pakistani Prime Minister ImranKhan”.
Chinese Premier LiKeqiang sent a congratulatory message to Pakistani Prime Minister ImranKhan on the occasion of 80th #PakistanDay. Warmest congratulations! @CathayPak @ForeignOfficePk @PakPMO @PDChina @CGTNOfficial @XHNews @DostiFM98 @RadioPakistan @PTVNewsOfficial @WorldPTV pic.twitter.com/LD0Xs7Eu6n
— Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) March 23, 2019
