ISLAMABAD: The country is celebrating Pakistan Day on Wednesday with the armed forces displaying their might in the annual military parade in Islamabad while dignitaries participating in the 48th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) watch as guests of honor.
The main feature of the day is the grand military parade, currently underway, at Islamabad parade ground in which the three wings of the armed forces and other security forces conduct a march while fighter planes present aerobatic manoeuvres.
Pakistan Day commemorates the passing of the Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940, when the All-India Muslim League demanded a separate nation for the Muslims of the British Indian Empire.
The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals.
A change of guards ceremony was also was held at the mausoleums of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal in Karachi and Lahore, respectively.
The report added that special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayer for Pakistan’s progress and prosperity.
In his address on the occasion, President Dr Arif Alvi said Pakistan was a responsible atomic power that wanted peace with all other nations and respected their sovereignty.
He made it clear that Pakistan would never compromise on its security and sovereignty and would give a forceful response to any aggression directed towards it. “I believe our nation won’t hesitate from any sacrifice for the country’s security,” Alvi added.
The president highlighted extremism and the spread of fake news as among the biggest challenges facing society and called on scholars, parents and teachers to play their part in tackling these societal problems.
Multiple organisations and departments have planned a number of activities including seminars, conferences and discussion programmes to highlight the historical significance of Pakistan Day.
Read more: Pakistan Day being celebrated today in and outside country
