ISLAMABAD:The nation celebrated Pakistan Day 2019 across the country on Saturday (today) with traditional zeal and a renewed commitment to work hard for the progress and prosperity of the motherland.
Pakistan Day commemorates the passing of the Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940, when the Muslims of the Sub-continent set the agenda of a separate homeland for themselves.
Day dawned with gun salute
The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad while provincial capitals welcomed the day with 21-gun salutes. Special prayers are offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for the progress, prosperity and solidarity of the country and national flag was hoisted at all major government buildings.
Grand Military Parade
The main feature of the day was the grand military parade in Islamabad where contingents of the three armed forces and the security forces conducted march past. Various aeroplanes belonging to Army Aviation and Pakistan Air Force demonstrated aerobatic feats for the audience.
Commandos of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Frontier Constabulary conducted the march-past in their unique style and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) carried out the fly-past.
Similarly, combat and attack helicopters as well as skydivers of airborne units from the three armed forces also showcased their skills.
The parade showcased cultures of all the four provinces. Cultural delegates and floats from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir featured during the ceremony.
Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohammad was the guest of honour at the parade. President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, ministers, members of the Parliament, the three services chiefs and diplomats also witnessed the parade.
Defence Minister Azerbaijan, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Bahrain and government officials from Oman also attended the ceremony.
Various contingents from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, China, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Turkey participated in the Parade.
A spectacular display of fire works observed at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore at midnight to mark the day. A huge number of citizens flocked to the scene to be mesmerized.
Change of guard ceremonies were held at the mausoleums of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi and Dr Allama Iqbal in Lahore.
Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country. National flag was hoisted on all major government buildings.
An investiture ceremony also be held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in the evening where the President of Pakistan conferred civil awards on individuals demonstrating feats in different fields of science and arts.
One hundred and seventy-one personalities, including some foreigners, had been selected for this year’s awards.
Radio Pakistan, Pakistan Television as well as private TV channels aired special programmes to highlight the struggle of the forefathers for a separate homeland as well as the importance of the Day. While the newspapers also carried special supplements, highlighting the significance of the day.
Pakistan missions abroad as well different organizations and societies also arranged functions and ceremonies to commemorate the Day and inculcate a spirit for the progress, prosperity and defence of the country.