ISLAMABAD: With traditional zeal and fervor, the 77th Pakistan Day is being celebrated nationwide today
A special feature of this parade is participation of Tri Services of People’s Liberation Army of China, Saudi Special Force’s contingents and Turkish Janissary Military band.
The day dawned with 31 gun salutes in the capital and 21 gun salutes in the provincial capitals, followed by a joint parade of all three forces of the military – Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force, at Shakarparian Parade Avenue in the federal capital early Thursday morning.
In a message the day before, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa called upon the entire nation to pledge to clean up ‘our Pakistan’ from fasaadis.
COAS, in his message, said that on March 23, 1940, “we pledged to create Pakistan and we honourably succeeded in creation of our homeland.”
“Let us pledge again today that we shall clean our country from fasaadis,” he said. “We all own Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad!”
President Mamnoon Hussain is the chief guest of the event. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif are witnessing the parade. Among other dignitaries attending the ceremony is Chief of South African National Defence Force General Solly Zacharia.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman led the flypast of the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy aviation in an F-16 plane.
Mechanised columns of various prestigious services of the country exhibited inventory of highly sophisticated and modern weaponry and arsenal.
Civil organisations also showed their material presence at the parade by exhibiting floats depicting developments achieved by the country, besides the regional culture and heritage.
Moreover, Pakistan Air Force jet Shaheen is set to flypast over the skies of Karachi later today.
