ISLAMABAD, March 23: The nation observed 67th Pakistan Day with traditional zeal and fervour and a renewed pledge to make the country a strong, progressive and prosperous Islamic welfare state.

The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered in all mosques of the country for the solidarity and well-being of the country. It was a public holiday.

Newspapers published special supplements featuring articles highlighting the importance of the day. Television channels aired special programmes to commemorate the day in a befitting manner.

National dailies printed rare photographs of the historic event and the Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and other leaders of the Pakistan Movement.

Similarly, electronic media, both state- and private-owned, telecast programmes and talk shows, wherein well-known workers of the Pakistan Movement were invited to throw light on the significance of the day.

Seminars and other colourful functions were organized at various places to pay homage to the Quaid and great poet and philosopher Allama Iqbal.

National flags were hoisted on all principal public and private buildings throughout the country and all Pakistani missions abroad.

The highlight of the day was the armed forces’ parade which was held at the Jinnah Sports Stadium, Islamabad.

President Gen Pervez Musharraf took the salute, reviewed the parade and addressed it, eulogising services of the armed forces in the defence of the country, natural calamities and nation-building projects.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, defence minister, chairman of joint chiefs of staff committee and services chiefs flanked the president on the saluting dais.

The parade was witnessed by thousands of people, representing all walks of life. Overflowing enclosures manifested the love, affection and faith people repose in their brave armed forces.

On arrival at the parade venue, President Gen Pervez Musharraf was received by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from three services presented the guard of honour. It was followed by a scintillating fly-past of the PAF combat aircraft led by Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed. ŠJF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, the manifestation of the Pak-China friendship, also participated in the fly-past and manoeuvred in front of the dias to the thunderous applause of the audience.

After the president's address the Parade Commander, Brigadier Tariq Ghafoor, drove past the saluting dais leading the contingents of the three services bearing National Standards.

Battalions of the Punjab, Baloch, Frontier Force, contingents of the Pakistan Navy, PAF, Frontier Corps (NWFP), Police (Sindh), Special Service Group and Armed Forces Nursing Services marched past the saluting dais.

Contingent of the President's Body Guard, Army Heritage Foundation and Army Strategic Force Command which included Hatf-II (Abdali), Hatf-III (Ghaznavi), Hatf-IV (Shaheen-1), Hatf-V(Ghauri), Hatf-VI (Shaheen-6) and Babar Cruise Missile drove past the dais.

Helicopters of the Army Aviation which included Ecurecuil, Cobra (Gunship), Bell-412, MI-17 and Puma flew past the dais. After the salute by marching columns, President Gen Pervez Musharraf reviewed the static display of floats from four provinces, Azad Kashmir, Northern Areas, Science and Technology and the mechanized columns of Armoured Corps, Mechanized Infantry, Artillery, Air Defence, Corps of Signals and Army Engineers.

Aerobatics by PAF Sherdil team were another attraction of the parade.

The parade was rounded off with a scintillating and heart warming display of free fall from a height of 10000 feet by paratroopers of the Special Service Group of Army, Navy and PAF. Major-General Tahir Mahmood, General Officer Commanding of Special Service Group, led the free fall jumps.

People stood on their seats to witness the thrilling display of the parachuting as all participants landed with professional excellence near the saluting dais. President Gen Pervez Musharraf came down the dais, met the paratroopers and appreciated their skills and professional acumen in the field of parachuting and free-fall demonstration.