ISLAMABAD — Pakistan celebrated 76th Pakistan Day Wednesday with an impressive military parade and a renewed pledge to wipe out terrorism plaguing the country.
The day, which marked the adoption of the Lahore Resolution in 1940 seeking a separate homeland for Muslims of the Subcontinent, dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in all four provincial capitals.
It was a public holiday and national flag was hoisted atop all government buildings. The main highlight of the day was a military parade held at the Parade Ground near Shakarparian hills in the capital.
President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, the chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, and the three services chiefs were prominent among those who witnessed the parade.
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Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain, center on a military vehicle, reviews a military parade to mark Pakistan's Republic Day in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, March 23, 2016. Pakistan's President praised his country's security forces and pledged to continue the fight against terrorism, speaking at a rally during a national holiday. During the rally, attended by several thousand people, Pakistan displayed nuclear-capable weapons, tanks, jets, drones and other weapons systems. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)[/caption]
Both modern and traditional hardware of Pakistan’s military arsenal were on display, from nuclear-capable missiles to indigenously-built JF-17 Thunder warplanes and locally manufactured armed drones.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman led the fly-past before joining the president and other dignitaries at the podium. Keeping the tradition of his predecessors, the air chief flew over the venue and presented salute to the president by performing a magnificent vertical roll over the parade square.
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Pakistani Air Force jets demonstrate an aerobatic performance during a military parade to mark Pakistan's Republic Day in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, March 23, 2016. Pakistan's President praised his country's security forces and pledged to continue the fight against terrorism, speaking at a rally during a national holiday. During the rally, attended by several thousand people, Pakistan displayed nuclear-capable weapons, tanks, jets, drones and other weapons systems. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)[/caption]
Addressing the parade, President Mamnoon reaffirmed that Pakistan desires cordial relations with all the countries, especially its neighbors. “But our desire should not be misconstrued as our weakness,” he added.
He resolved to take the operation against terrorism to its logical conclusion. “The operation against terrorism has entered its final phase in North Waziristan Agency, and our destination is to end lawlessness and terrorism from all parts of the country,” he said.
He said the enemy would not be allowed to cast an evil eye on the country as its armed forces are fully equipped to foil their designs. “Our weaponry is only for the defense and security of the country. We have never indulged in the arms race but for the defense of the country, the requirements of the armed forces will be fully met,” he said.
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Pakistani armed forces in tanks take part during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad, Pakistan, March 23, 2016. A poster of founder and first governor-general of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah is seen in the background. REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood[/caption]
Mamnoon said Pakistan is a peace-loving country and has contributed troops many times for the United Nations peacekeeping missions in different countries. He said Pakistan would continue to play its role to free the world of the scourge of terrorism and conflicts.
The president said Pakistan wants peaceful resolution of longstanding Kashmir dispute. “Pakistan will continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their right to self-determination,” he said. — Agencies
