Pakistan holds first Republic Day parade in seven years
This parade has been held after a gap of seven years.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk / Reuters) - Pakistan held its first Republic Day parade in seven years on Monday, a symbolic show of strength in the war against terrorism three months after a militant attack on an Army-run school killed 132 children.
Pakistan Day commemorates March 23, 1940, when the Muslim League demanded the establishment of separate nation to protect Muslims in the then British colony of India.
This parade is being held after a gap of seven years at the newly constructed Parade Ground near Faizabad Interchange amid tight security with traffic and pedestrian access blocked.
President Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest on the occasion while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the army chief also witnessed the parade. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood and services chiefs were also present on the occasion.
Pakistan Army, Navy, Air Force and Rangers personnel participated in the parade
Cellular phone networks were blocked as a precaution to thwart any strike by militants, who have often used mobile phone signals to trigger bombs.
On the occasion, mechanised columns including tanks, rocket launchers, indigenously developed short and long range missiles including Nasr, Babar, Shaheen-1, Shaheen II, radars and unmanned aerial vehicles Burraq were showcased at the parade.
Floats depicting culture of the four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan were also part of the parade.
Military jets and helicopters including JF-17 Thunder, cobra gunship helicopters and F-16 fighter jets presented aerobatic maneuvers over the picturesque, low-rise city in the warm, spring sunshine, with a sky-diving team showing off its skills against the backdrop of the Margalla Hills, the low, forested foothills of the Himalayas. Sher Dil squad also put up a colourful show of aerial formations.
Earlier, massive firework displays were held in Lahore and Quetta at midnight to mark the historic event.
The Day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals.
Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for the integrity and solidarity of the country. It is a public holiday and national flag is being hoisted on major government buildings.
A change of guard ceremony was held at the tomb of national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal this morning and a contingent of Pakistan Air Force assumed the guard duties.
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In their separate messages on Pakistan Day, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have urged the nation to unite against terrorists and extremists.
The Prime Minister said he is confident that we will overpower with the assistance of our valiant armed forces and unconditional support by the entire political leadership.
Various political, social, religious, and literary organizations have arranged functions to highlight importance of Pakistan Resolution that paved the way for the creation of an independent homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent.
