President Dr Arif Alvi on Saturday stressed that Pakistan strongly believes in peaceful co-existence but its desire for peace must not be misconstrued as a weakness. Speaking at Pakistan Day Parade here, he reiterated that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state but it wants peace, not war. "Pakistan respects integrity and sovereignty of other states, but its desire for peace should not be misconstrued as a weakness," he maintained.
Alvi who was the chief guest at the function, said that India's irresponsible attitude jeopardized peace in the region, adding India will have to accept Pakistan as a reality, and it must come to the conclusion that dialogue is the only way to resolve all outstanding issues.
He said that demonstration of Pakistan's defence capability highlighted that Pakistan was a peaceful nation, but not oblivious to its defence. He said that the country was safe and moving on path to progress and development after effectively combating the menace of terrorism.
However, he pointed out that the country was dealing with the challenges of poverty, hunger, unemployment and extremist mindset. The president said that participation of the representatives of Pakistan's friendly countries including Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Bahrain and Sri Lanka in the military parade on Pakistan Day signified the country's strong relations with these nations.
The nation celebrated Pakistan Day on Saturday with traditional zeal and fervour as well as a strong commitment to ensure progress, prosperity and a strong defense of the country. The day dawned with thirty-one-gun salute in federal capital and twenty-one-gun salute in provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Pakistan Day military parade took place at Parade Ground near Shakarparian hills, which was attended by the country's top civil and military leaders and a large number of foreign dignitaries. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad was special guest of honour. Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mehmood Hayat and the three services chiefs were also present.
Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Commander National Guard of Bahrain Sheikh Mohamed bin Isa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, and government officials from Oman were also in attendance. Contingents of the three armed forces conducted a march-past, while a formation of Pakistan Air Force jets led by Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan presented a fly-past as a salute to the president.
A special hallmark of the parade was the participation of paratroopers from Azerbaijan, Brunei, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka. The Special Services Group's sky divers undertook free-fall jumps from a height of 10,000 feet.
Contingents of Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia were part of the marching columns, while Turkey and China participated in the aerobatics display. Participating troops included foot columns of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Rangers Sindh, Islamabad Police, Tri-Services Lady Officers, Tri-Services Armed Forces Nursing Service, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, and Special Service Group of the three services.
There were also mechanised columns of the Armoured Corps, Mechanised Infantry, Artillery, Army Air Defence, Engineers, Signals, Army Strategic Force Command and mounted columns of the Camel Band and the Presidents Body Guard. Contingents of the defence security force, which participated for the first time, and Mujahid Force also took part. Cultural floats representing Balochistan, Punjab, KP, Sindh, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan were also part of the parade.
Pakistan-made weaponry including Al-Zarrar and Al-Khalid tanks, a variety of armoured personnel carriers, and surveillance equipment such as the Giraffe radar was presented before the audience.
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