Pakistan holds national day parade after 7 years

Asia-Pacific, News March 23, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

The highly-anticipated joint military parade by the armed forces of Pakistan took place today in Islamabad after a gap of seven years, to commemorate the historic Pakistan Resolution on March 23, 1940 – a day which marks the the birth of a separate state for Muslims.

Personnel from all three services, Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force, took part in the parade.

Military jets looped the loop over the picturesque, low-rise city in the spring sunshine, with a sky-diving team showing off its skills against the backdrop of the Margalla Hills, the forested foothills of the Himalayas.

Its resumption is a symbolic show of military strength, analysts say, from a nation which has been badly affected by militant attacks.

In his address Pakistan’s President Mamnoon Hussain said that the “end of terrorism” was near.

President Hussain praised forces taking part in the operation against the Pakistani Taliban and other militants in North Waziristan, and paid tribute to the more than 150 victims of the Army Public School massacre in Peshawar in December.

“I salute the armed forces, those that have fought to protect us and those who have given their lives to protect this country. To the nation of Pakistan I say that the end of terrorism is near. We have a resolve and we will defeat them,” he said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who also attended the parade, issued a statement warning of the threat from anti-state elements.

“Pakistan is resolved to redeem its pledge given to its founding fathers that it will protect the homeland,” Sharif said.

A dispute over Kashmir periodically flares into violence.

“I have written to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif, conveying my greetings,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a Tweet. “…It is my firm conviction that all outstanding issues can be resolved through bilateral dialogue in an atmosphere free from terror and violence.”

The last parade which took place in the federal capital was on March 23, 2008, reviewed by Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf as a civilian president, but was discontinued owing to ‘security concerns’.

The joint military parade had been a regular event with display of military power and show of Pakistan’s folk culture, which captured the imagination of the public quite like the traditional parade, with its impressive march-pasts and aerial shows.

DN/BBC