In Picture: Pakistan Day 2024 Military Parade

The nation celebrated its 84th Pakistan Day on March 23, Saturday with a renewed pledge to work hard for the progress and stability of the country.

March 23, marks the adoption of the historic Lahore Resolution on this date in 1940 which provided a framework for the realisation of the goal of a separate homeland for Muslims of South Asia.

At the dawn of the day, a 31-gun salute was presented in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in provincial capitals.

The main event of the day was the grand military parade in Islamabad’s Shakarparian Parade Ground.

The contingents of Pakistan’s three armed forces and other security forces conducted a march past in a show displaying the country’s military might.

The parade also showcased the representation of the local cultures of the four provinces.

President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and all the service chiefs were present at the parade.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir, all services chiefs, federal ministers, members of the assembly and foreign ambassadors were also in attendance.

President Asif Ali Zardari inspected the guard of honour presented by the armed forces contingents.

While foreign guests including Defence Minister of Saudi Arabia also participated in the parade ceremony.

Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was also the special guest of the parade.

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu led the flypast which included the J-10C and F-7PG fighter aircraft.

Varoius aircrafts and helicopters belonging to the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, and Army Aviation demonstrated aerobatic feats for the audience present at the Parade Ground.

The airshow also featured skydivers of airborne units who demonstrated their skills.

President Asif Ali Zardari in his speech welcomed Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Salman Khalid Bin Aziz, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, members of parliament, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, and parade commander.

President Zardari said that March 23 holds national importance as on this day, Muslims of the subcontinent demanded a separate nation for themselves.

“Today, we pay homage to leaders, martyrs and ghazis who sacrificed their lives for independence,” said the president, adding that the Pakistani nation, from its independence till today, has gone through ups and downs.

“Despite the difficulties, we developed in different areas including defence, agriculture, education, health, and technology,” he added.