The 77th Pakistan Day was celebrated on Thursday with traditional zeal and enthusiasm to mark the passage of the Lahore Resolution that led to the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of South Asia in 1947. The historic resolution, known as the Pakistan Resolution, was approved on March 23, 1940.
The day dawned with 31 gun salute in the Federal Capital, and 21 gun salute in the provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for the progress, prosperity and solidarity of the country. A spectacular joint armed services parade was held near Shakarparian in Islamabad. Renowned Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan performed national songs with children at Pakistan Day 2017 parade. The group of children waved the national flags and also sang in a chorus with the noted singer.
Special feature of the parade was participation of Peoples Liberation Army China's Tri Services, Saudi Special Force's contingents and Turkish Jannisary Military band. Decorated contingents of Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) lined up in Shakarparian Ground, Islamabad for Pakistan Day Parade in the presence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah and conducted march-past.
Besides them contingents of the 18 Punjab Regiment, 21 Frontier Force Regiment, 10 Northern Light Infantry Regiment, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air force, 760 Mujahid Battalion, Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Rangers Punjab, Pakistan Police (represented by the Islamabad Police), Tri Services Lady Officers, Tri Services Armed Forces Nursing Services, Boy Scouts, Pakistan Girl Guides, Special Services Group (SSG), and President Bodyguards also marched at the military parade that was resumed in 2015 after a seven-year gap.
Chief of South African National Defence Force, General Solly Zacharia, ambassadors of different countries and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif among other federal ministers were also present in the parade ground. A fly-past of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was presented to President Mamnoon Hussain over the parade venue and was led by Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sohail Aman. JF-17 Thunder also gave a brilliant performance during the event.
Saudi Special Forces, who were represented by the Saudi Land Forces, as well as the Tri Services People s Liberation Army of China also featured in the parade. Turkish military band 'Mehtaran' played various tunes including 'Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan'. The band is one of the oldest in the world and was formed in 1299.
Floats displaying the culture of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir took part in the ceremony. President Mamnoon Hussain addressed the ceremony and paid tribute to the martyrs. He asserted that Pakistan is determined to end terrorism and is ready for dialouge with India on all the issues including Kashmir.
Mechanized columns of various prestigious services of the country exhibited inventory of highly sophisticated and modern weaponry and arsenal. Civil organizations also showed their material presence at the Parade by exhibiting floats depicting developments achieved by the country, besides the regional culture and heritage.
A change of guards ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal in Lahore. A regiment of PAF took charge of guard duties at Mazar-e-Iqbal. Air Commodore of PAF Salman Mehboob was the chief guest on the occasion. Earlier, fireworks display was observed at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore at midnight of Wednesday to mark 77th Pakistan Day celebrations. The sky lit with colorful lighting due to the fireworks display. A huge gathering of citizens flocked to Minar-e-Pakistan to view it. Citizens were seen raising the slogan of 'Pakistan Zindabad' (Long Live Pakistan) and waved the national flag.