The nation is celebrating the 76th Pakistan Day on Wednesday with a renewed pledge to make the country stronger by eliminating terrorism and achieving sustainable economic growth and greater political stability.
A joint military parade is being held at the Parade Ground near the landmark Shakarparian hills in Islamabad.
Personnel from all three services, Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force, are participating in the parade.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif are in attendance along with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
March-past by armed forces
Contingents of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, as well as the Frontier Corps and Pakistan Rangers, each held an individual march-past, followed by a salute to President Mamnoon.
The day, which marks the historic event in 1940 when the Lahore Resolution was passed, demanding a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent will dawn with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals.
Special prayers were offered in mosques for the integrity and solidarity of the country.
The ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem, followed by an address by President Mamnoon Hussain who was also the chief guest of the event.
Pakistan has never been a part of any arms race: President Mamnoon
Addressing the ceremony, President Mamnoon lauded Pakistan Army’s stance on fighting terrorism and their sacrifices in the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
“The operation will not end till terrorism has been eradicated completely from Pakistan’s soil,” the president said.
President Mamnoon further stated that the country’s nuclear stockpile and weapons are only for the country’s defence.
“We are a peaceful nation. Pakistan never has and never will participate in any arms race,” he said.
“Pakistan’s wish to be on friendly terms with its neighbours should not be considered as its weakness,” President Mamnoon reiterated.
“Peace in Kashmir is essential and Pakistan will continue supporting its Kashmiri brethren,” he added.
Various political, social, religious, and literary organisations arranged functions to highlight the importance of the Pakistan Resolution that paved the way for the creation of an independent homeland for the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent.
Photo exhibitions were also arranged at the art galleries in different cities depicting different aspects of Independence Movement and photographs of the founding fathers.
The day will also be celebrated with traditional zeal and enthusiasm in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistan Day functions will also be held at Pakistani missions abroad where ambassadors and high commissioners will unfurl the national flag and read out the messages of the president and prime minister.
Foolproof security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident, besides a special traffic plan for the day in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Cellular services were suspended in the capital as Pakistan Day celebrations kicked off.
Mobile phone networks went offline early morning and will remain suspended throughout the day.
Also read: Indian President Pranab Mukherjee extends greetings on Pakistan Day
President, governors to confer civilian awards
President Mamnoon Hussain will decorate 84 recipients of civil awards – including 8 foreign nationals and Pakistanis living abroad – during an investiture ceremony that will be held at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday
Governors of all the four provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) as well as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will also bestow civilian awards on behalf of the president upon prominent personalities for their contributions in different fields.
The president had approved conferment of 159 civil awards on August 14, 2015 – the independence day of the country. Four additional awards were also approved on 14th August 2015 as special cases.
