ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday said Pakistan would never compromise on its sovereignty and vowed that “any external aggression will be dealt with strongly”.
“I want to make it clear to the enemy that Pakistan will never compromise on its sovereignty as the nation and its armed forces are ready to thwart any aggression,” he said in his address at the Pakistan Day Parade here at the Parade Avenue, Shakarparian.
This year’s annual event attained great significance as the foreign ministers of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) witnessed the joint services parade, where Pakistan showcased its military prowess.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, cabinet members, diplomats, senior civil and military officials, and prominent figures, who have won accolades for their services to Pakistan, were present.
President Alvi said the expansionist designs of Pakistan’s neighbouring country was a matter of concern for the security and stability of South Asia.
He mentioned India’s illegal occupation in Jammu and Kashmir and urged the international community and the United Nations to stop the ongoing human rights violations.
Referring to the country’s resolve against fighting extremism and terrorism, he said, “The Pakistani nation has made immense sacrifices in the war and stood resilient against internal and external conspiracies.”
He lauded the valour and courage of the country’s armed forces and the nation for making their homeland strong and prosperous.The president said the nation and all the state institutions supported the upholding of democracy in the country.“We should always keep in view the saying of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to stand united as a nation, and demonstrate faith and discipline within our ranks,” he said.
The president felicitated the nation on the occasion of Pakistan Day and said the day was special in a way that it coincided with the 75th anniversary of the country’s establishment.
He paid glowing tribute to the countrymen who laid their lives for the sovereignty of the country and contributed towards its stability.
“Being a strong and united nation, we vow to keep high the integrity and sovereignty of our motherland,” he said.
He highlighted that the world was facing several challenges including the issues of Palestine and Kashmir that needed urgent resolution.
He pointed out the worldwide rising trend of Islamophobia and mentioned that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Pakistan made strong efforts against it, which resulted in the passage of a resolution by the United Nations.
He expressed satisfaction that March 15 would be marked every year as the day to counter Islamophobia and said the act would help check hatred against Muslims across the world.
On Afghanistan, he said the world must take note of the situation where the Afghans were suffering a humanitarian crisis in the shape of hunger and poverty.
Pakistan Day Parade
The armed forces displayed 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) watched as guests of honour.
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 started off 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 held at the mausoleums of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal in Karachi and Lahore, respectively.
The main feature of the day was the grand military parade in Islamabad in which the three contingents of the armed forces and other security forces conducted a march while fighter planes presented aerobatic manoeuvres.
Troops from other countries, including Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, also participated in the parade.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Arif Alvi, the three services chiefs, federal ministers as well as officials and foreign ministers of 57 Muslim countries that are members of the OIC were present for the displays.
After the PAF fighters’ mesmerising show, Pakistan Army, PAF and Navy parachuters demonstrated their skills with free-falls from 10,000 feet. Major General Adil Rehmani, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Special Service Group (SSG) – an elite unit of commandos from the army – then presented the flag of Pakistan to President Alvi, after which the parachuters were given a gun salute.
After the demonstration, floats, representing each province, took a round of the venue. This year, for the first time ever, a presentation was given by Jammu and Kashmir too. The region’s float featured a miniature structure of the famous Dargah Hazratbal located in Srinagar. It also carried banners of freedom fighters who were martyred in Indian occupied Kashmir.
Earlier, President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, OIC foreign ministers and the guests witnessed the march past of the contingents of tri-services, including Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force.
The contingents of friendly countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Bahrain also participated in the parade.
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu followed the tradition by leading the fly-past of various formations of Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft, including the newly acquired J-10C jet.
The marching columns of Armour Corps, Artillery, Rangers, Air Defence, Coast Guards, and the women contingent of Armed Forces Nursing Service passed by the dais.
The ‘Sherdils’ team of seven Karakoram aircraft presented enthralling aerobatics, leaving a colourful trail of smoke in the blue sky.
The paratroopers of the three services made freefall jumps from the altitude of 10,000 feet and precisely landed at their designated targets in the ground.
The floats of the provinces depicted their unique culture through artefacts, folk songs and dances in a show of national harmony. A special float of OIC countries was also showcased for the interest of specially invited delegations.