As the nation celebrated ‘Pakistan Day’ to commemorate the passage of famous resolution of All India Muslim League in Lahore on March 23, 1940, for a separate homeland for the Muslims of South Asia, many of youngsters and elders alike missed the Pakistan Army parade that happened to be a source of inspiration for many others.
Once remembered for an annual graceful congregation of National Armed Forces marking Pakistan Day with full-fledge display of armaments, Parade Avenue at D-Chowk in the red zone area adjacent to the president house on Jinnah Avenue, presented a deserted look with few of police men around, heavy barricades and barbwires – all three there, and nothing else.
The stairs along the parade avenue remained empty. The march past, guard of honors, fly past, display of armaments and massive floats on the road presenting regional culture of Pakistan once used to be the striking features of Pakistan Day parade to induce a sense of patriotism among the citizens.
A young college student Hamtaya Aftab, who missed the parade, said though Gen Zia-ul-Haq and Gen Pervaiz Musharraf were dictators but every year on March 23 and 22, I reached here along with my friends to watch the parade and even its full dress rehearsal. “Definitely, watching a half-day display of armed forces jawans, sounds of choppers and F-16 and F-17 planes, military equipments with the echo of ‘Allah-ho-Akbar’ surely rejuvenate the spirit of patriotism,” Aftab added.
He said now the youth had lost in revolutionary technological gadgets and no one knew the importance of national days and its significance.
During Zia regime, the military leadership used to hold Pakistan Day parade at Racecourse Ground, Rawalpindi, while in Gen Musharruf’s era it was organised at Parade Avenue and later at Sports Complex, Islamabad. Last Pakistan Day parade was held at Sports Complex Islamabad during the era of President Gen Pervez Musharraf in 2007.
Sources said political leadership was of the view that since a large number of troops were deployed at the eastern and western borders of the country and were engaged in war on terror, it would not be possible to move them for Pakistan Day parade. Moreover, by canceling the parade expenditures worth of million of rupees could be saved, they added.
Besides, providing security cover to the president, prime minister, diplomats and large number of other dignitaries who come to witness the parade was another issue that needed to considered, they added.
On the other hand, the nation celebrated this day across the country with traditional zeal and enthusiasm to commemorate the passage of the Lahore Resolution which eventually led to the creation of Pakistan.
The day started with special prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country and with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital as well as 21-gun salutes in the provincial capitals.
The national flag was hoisted at important public and private buildings across the country and all Pakistani missions abroad. Governmental, political, cultural, social and other organisations chalked out various programmes to mark the day in a befitting manner.
Several dignitaries visited the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi and Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s tomb at Lahore and laid floral wreaths, besides paying homage to the leaders of sub-continent.
The Pakistan Television, Radio Pakistan and private channels aired special programmes to highlight the significance of the day and various aspects of the life and work of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and other leading personalities while newspapers published special supplements in this regard.
